Asthma and Allergies

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Asthma and Allergies

• Healthy Homes Resource
• Purdue Extension
• 2005

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Introduction

• Should you be concerned?
• What happens during an attack
• Warning Signs
• Asthma Triggers
• Allergies
• Common Allergens
• Action Steps for Control

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Should you be Concerned?

• Serious Lung Disease
• Makes it hard for people to breathe
• More than 8 million children in US
• Estimated 17 million Americans
• Incidence increased by 150 between 1980 and
  1998.
• 40-50 Million People have allergies
• Runny nose, itching, rashes

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What Happens with Asthma Attack

• Breathing tubes get smaller
• Muscles tighten
• Large amounts of mucous
• Warning Signs
• Wheezing
• Coughing
• Shortness of Breath

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Asthma Control

• Can control it
• Learn what triggers it
• Avoid
• Many types of medicine
• No one best for everyone
• Two Types
• One taken regularly
• Rescue Medicine
• Taken during an attack

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Asthma Triggers

• No one knows what causes it
• Some people have only 1 or 2, others many
• Common Ones
• Secondhand Smoke
• Dust Mites
• Pets
• Mold
• Pests (cockroaches and rodents
• Cold weather, exercise, strong feelings

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Secondhand Smoke

• Cigarettes, Cigars, or Pipes
• Children especially vulnerable
• 1 million have had condition worsened
• Risk factor for those who do not have asthma
• Exposed children more likely to suffer
• Pneumonia,
• Bronchitis,
• Lung diseases,
• Ear infections

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Dust mites

• Found everywhere
• Too small to be seen
• Live in
• Mattresses
• Pillows
• Carpets
• Furniture
• Stuffed Toys

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Controlling dust mites

• Wash bedding in hot water
• Above 130 degree
• Choose washable stuffed toys
• Use mattress/pillow zippered covers

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Pets

• Dander, urine, or saliva can be triggers
• Consider being Pet-Free
• Keep pets
• In only one area
• Out of bedrooms
• Away from upholstered furniture
• Make sure people with asthma stay away from pets

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Molds

• Can Grow anywhere as long as there is water
• Wood
• Paper
• Carpet
• Foods
• Key to mold control is moisture control
• Lowering moisture helps reduce cockroaches and
  dust mites too

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Pests

• Cockroaches
• Rodents
• Keep them from entering the home
• Eliminate their food, water, shelter
• Use less toxic methods for pest control

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Controlling Pests

• Dont leave food or garbage out
• Store food in airtight containers
• Clean up crumbs and spills
• Wash dishes soon after eating
• Fix moisture problems
• Remove boxes, newspapers
• Seal cracks where roaches and bugs get into your
  home

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Allergies

• Common Signs
• Runny or stuffy nose
• Coughing
• Hives
• Itching, rash
• Puffy Eyes
• Can be treated
• Important to find out what causes them
• Doctors can test

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Common Allergens

• Something that causes allergy signs, or allergic
  reactions
• Food
• Milk, dairy products, oranges, artificial colors,
  nuts, shellfish
• Medicines
• Penicillin, some heart and anti-seizure
• Insect stings and bites
• Contact allergens
• Plants, cosmetics, jewelry latex

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Action Steps

• Clean your home often
• Keep Clutter down
• Dont have carpets or rugs
• Vacuum often
• Make sure gas appliances are checked
• Check the furnace filter
• Air cleaners may help in bedrooms
• HEPA Filters
• No Ozone air cleaners

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Asthma and Allergies Summary

• Asthma is a breathing disease that affects 17
  million adults and 8 million children
• 40-50 million Americans have allergies
• Asthma Triggers include
• Mold, Pets, Secondhand Smoke, Pests, Dust mites
• Common allergens
• Some food, medicines, insect stings, contact
  allergens
• Key is to keep home clean, remove triggers and
  allergens

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The End

• Questions?????
• Prepared by Catherine E. Burwell, PhD, and
• Kendra Freeman
• Purdue Cooperative Extension Service
• 2005.