FACTS ABOUT ASTHMA

1
FACTS ABOUT ASTHMA

• Number of people with asthma increased by more
  than 150 from 1980 to 1998
• An estimated 17 million Americans have asthma
• Most common chronic childhood disease affecting
  about 4.8 million children

EPA USDA/CSREES
2
Health and Economic Effects

• 5,000 deaths per year
• 470,000 hospitalizations
• 100 million days of restricted activity
• 7 to 9 billion a year in direct and indirect
  costs

3
Major Indoor Asthma Triggers

• Secondhand smoke
• Dust mites
• Pets
• Molds
• Pests (cockroaches and rodents)

4
Secondhand Smoke

• Asthma can be triggered by the smoke from the
  burning end of a cigarette, pipe, or cigar, or
  the smoke exhaled by a smoker
• Children especially vulnerable
• 1 million children with asthma have had condition
  worsened
• Exposed children more likely to suffer from
  pneumonia, bronchitis, and other lung diseases,
  ear infections

5
Controlling Secondhand Smoke

• Choose not to smoke in your home or car, and do
  not allow others to do so either
• Smoke outside

6
Dust Mites

• Too small to be seen, but are found in every home
• Live in mattresses, pillows, carpets,
  fabric-covered furniture, bedcovers, clothes, and
  stuffed toys
• Exposure can trigger asthma attacks

7
Controlling Dust Mites

• Wash sheets and blankets once a week in hot water
• Choose washable stuffed toys, wash them often in
  hot water, and dry thoroughly - keep stuffed toys
  off beds
• Cover mattresses and pillows in dust-proof
  (allergen-impermeable) zippered covers

8
Pets

• Your pets skin flakes, urine, or saliva can be
  asthma triggers
• Most effective way to control exposure to
  triggers from animals is to keep your home
  pet-free

9
Controlling Pet Problems

• Consider finding a new home for your pets, if
  necessary
• If animals are removed from the house, do a
  thorough cleaningReduce Exposure
• Keep pets in one area of the house
• Keep pets out of the bedroom
• Keep pets away from fabric-covered furniture,
  carpets, and stuffed toys
• Keep pets outside
• Keep people with asthma away from pets

10
Molds

• Molds grow on damp materials, including wood,
  paper, carpet, and foods
• Mold growth often occurs when the problem goes
  undiscovered
• The key to mold control is moisture control
• Clean up mold and get rid of excess water or
  moisture
• Lowering moisture also helps reduce other
  triggers, such as dust mites and cockroaches

11
Controlling Molds

• To fix a mold problem, do two things
• 1. Fix water or humidity problem
• 2. Completely clean up the mold
• Examples include
• Fix leaky plumbing or other sources of water
• If leak occurs, dry all damaged areas within
  24-48 hours
• Wash mold off hard surfaces and dry completely -
  absorbent materials may need to be replaced
• Keep drip pans in your air conditioner,
  refrigerator, and dehumidifier clean and dry
• Use exhaust fans or open windows
• Vent clothes dryers outside
• Maintain low indoor humidity (35-55 relative
  humidity)

12
Pests

• Droppings or body parts of pests (such as
  cockroaches or rodents) can be asthma triggers
• Keep pests from entering your home and away from
  food and water
• Try less toxic methods for pest control

13
Controlling Pests

• Dont leave food or garbage out
• Store food in airtight containers
• Clean all food crumbs or spilled liquids right
  away
• Wash dishes soon after use
• Keep surfaces clear of clutter
• Fix moisture problems
• Remove boxes, newspapers from your home
• Make sure the trash is stored properly and
  emptied daily
• Try using poison bait, boric acid (for
  cockroaches), or traps before using pesticide
  sprays

14
Using Pesticide Sprays to Control Pests

• Limit the spray to infested area
• Dont spray near food or areas where young
  children are
• Carefully follow instructions on the label
• Provide plenty of fresh air, and keep people with
  asthma out of the room

15
Bill of Rights for Childrenwith Allergies and
Asthma

• According to the Allergy and Asthma Network -
  Mothers of Asthmatics, Inc. (AAN-MA), a child
  with allergies and asthma and his\her family have
  the right to
• 1. Be presented with the proven scientific facts
  of asthma and allergies in a manner that raises
  appropriate concerns and avoids needless anxiety
• 2. Be cared for by a supportive physician who
  provides preventive management of asthma and
  allergies as well as treatment for acute episodes
• 3. Live in a smoke-free environment where
  reasonable attempts at eliminating relevant
  allergens are made
• (continued)
• Note For more information, refer to the Back to
  School with Allergies and Asthma, A Bill of
  Rights for Children with Allergies and Asthma
  Fact Sheet

16
Bill of Rights for Children with Allergies and
Asthma (continued)

• 4. Have full and personal access to appropriate
  medications and devices so that potential
  scholastic, athletic, and social achievements are
  not limited by otherwise uncontrolled asthma or
  allergies
• 5. Learn self-management skills to minimize
  dependence on medical personnel, emergency
  clinics, and hospitalizations
• 6. Expect teachers, school nurses, coaches and
  camp counselors, and other adults entrusted with
  their care to understand the enlightened handling
  of children with asthma and allergies
• AAN-MA websitehttp//www.aanma.org
• Note For more information, refer to the Back to
  School with Allergies and Asthma, A Bill of
  Rights for Children with Allergies and Asthma
  Fact Sheet