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Asthma Trigger Factors

Disclaimer: This fact sheet is for education purposes only. Please consult with your doctor or other health professional to make sure this information is right for your child.

Children with asthma have sensitive or twitchy airways. When exposed to particular factors their airways react and asthma symptoms develop. These factors are called asthma triggers. Asthma triggers may not be the same for each child and some children may have more than one trigger factor. Keeping a diary of your child's activities and when symptoms occur may help in identifying their triggers. If you know what your child's asthma triggers are, take steps to manage them. The most common triggers and current suggestions for minimising these are listed in the table below.

Asthma Trigger Strategies Cold & Flu Colds and flu frequently trigger asthma; these are difficult triggers to avoid. Use your child's asthma action plan if they develop a cold or flu. Smoking Make your car and home smoke free; ask people who smoke to go outside. Opening windows and doors will not protect your child from tobacco smoke. Avoid taking your child to smoky places and women should not smoke when pregnant or breastfeeding. Exercise/Play Exercise and play are healthy activities and should not be avoided. If exercise is a trigger, give your child their blue reliever medication 5-10 minutes prior to exercise or play. Talk to your child's doctor if asthma symptoms persist. Start with warm up exercises and finish with cool down exercises. Changes in air temperature Be aware of changes in air temperature. If symptoms are experienced regularly visit your child's doctor. Emotions Anxiety, stress, distress and laughing can be a trigger. Provide reassurance and relaxation for your child. Some foods and food additives Encourage a healthy balanced diet. Only avoid those foods your child is known to be allergic to. Seek a detailed assessment from an allergy specialist. Food additives that may trigger asthma include metabisulfite/sulphur dioxide (220-228), tartrazine (102) monosodium glutamate (621). Certain Medications The following medications are examples of potential triggers; Aspirin and other non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (ibuprofen, nurofen) including natural treatments such as Echinacea and royal jelly. Please speak to your child's doctor. Asthma Trigger Minimisation Strategies Allergens - including dust mites, dust, moulds, animals (cats & dogs) & pollens   Dust Mites More information on House Dust Mites: House dust mite allergy-what should you do? www.chw.edu.au www.sch.edu.au Use a dust mite resistant cover, for mattresses, pillows and quilts (available from pharmacies). Washing of soft toys, furnishings, covers, sheets, and pillowcases at usual washing temperatures removes more than 95% of allergens but as this does not kill dust mites, these items should be washed every 8 weeks. Avoid use of sheepskin or woollen underlays. Use feather bedding. Regular vacuuming of carpets and soft furnishings may help to reduce dust mite allergens (The child should avoid re-entering the room for approx 20 mins following). Having non-carpeted flooring, reducing soft furnishing such as curtains, soft toys and sheepskins reduce the amount house dust mite allergen. Reduce clutter from the bed and bedroom, removing soft toys. Dust Wipe hard surfaces (inc hard floors) with a damp or an electrostatic cloth weekly. Mould Reduce humidity by having a dry, well-ventilated house with adequate natural insulation. Dehumidifiers are not recommended. Remove visible mould. Clean fridge drip trays regularly. Keep air conditioning units clean. Remove indoor plants/garden mulch and compost. Animals (cats & dogs) Where possible keep pets out of the house. If not possible keep pets out of the bedroom and living areas. Wash pets weekly. Weekly vacuum of carpets. Pollens Encourage your child to remain indoors during high pollen count days (windy) and after thunderstorms. In addition to avoid outdoor activities where there is high exposure to pollen. (i.e. mowing of lawn).

The Children's Hospital at Westmead Tel: (02) 9845 3585 Fax: (02) 9845 3562 www.chw.edu.au	Sydney Children's Hospital, Randwick Tel: (02) 9382 1688 Fax: (02) 9382 1451 www.sch.edu.au	Kaleidoscope, Hunter Children's Health Network Tel: (02) 4921 3670 Fax: (02) 4921 3599 www.kaleidoscope.org.au