What Are Asthma Triggers?
A trigger is any stimuli that can contribute to the onset of asthma. While there are hundreds of triggers for asthma, a list of the ten most common asthma triggers would include:
1.Aeroallergens
2.House dust mites
3.Cockroaches and rodents
4.Molds
5.Pollens
6.Animal allergens
7.Air pollutants
8.Chemicals and various foods
9.Viral and bacteria infections
10.Psychosocial factors
Aeroallergens:
 Aeroallergens are probably the best understood of all asthma triggers. An aeroallergen is an antigen which is small and light enough to stay airborne for a long period of time and can then be inhaled into your lungs. Examples of aeroallergens include house dust, feathers, molds, pollens, and animals allergens. Aeroallergens can be found both indoors and outdoors.
House Dust Mites:
House dust mites are an aeroallergen and an important indoor asthma trigger. In the 1960’s, Drs. Spieksma and Voorhorst announced the discovery of a microscopic arthropod which is part of the arachnid insect family. These cousins of the spider family became known as house dust mites. House dust mites live in our bedding, carpets and furniture. Dust mites feed on a variety of items including various human bits and pieces. They like to live in warmer, damper climates. Dust mite populations vary by season. In temperate climates, their population is the highest in late summer and autumn. Interestingly, dust mites die if the temperature gets below 50 degrees F. House dust mites are small and light enough to be airborne and in sensitive individuals, can create allergic reactions whether they are dead or alive. Since house dust mites like your mattress, one pattern that might point to them as an asthma trigger for you is sneezing and wheezing in the morning.
Cockroaches:
Individuals can become sensitive to coackroaches as an allergen. Their activity is mostly nocturnal and they tend to be more populous in warmer climates and the inner-cities. Cockroach allergen is present in all parts of their bodies but can only become airborne after a significant air disturbance. The best way to limit cockroach allergen is to keep them out of your living area by keeping your place clean so they have nothing to eat.
Mold:
Molds and fungi tend to grow in damp, musty areas. Indoor molds like showers, cellars, and some garages while the outdoor molds like places like mulch piles and fallen leaves. They reproduce by releasing mold spores into the air. Mold requires food, air, correct temperatures, and water vapor to survive. Since you mold eats everything and air is everywhere, the best way to control mold indoors is to control your homes temperature and humidity. Dry, intermediate temperatures are best.
Animal Allergens:
Many of us choose to have a variety of animals around us as pets but dogs and cats are the common. Dog allergen comes from their skin and fur. Despite some claims, there are no non-allergenic breeds of dog. Strangely enough, we can find no medical evidence that suggest long haired dogs produce more allergens than short haired dogs. The obvious help for people allergic to dogs is to not have them in your home. If you must have a dog as a pet, aggressive skin care can help lower the level of allergen output.
It has been estimated that nearly 3% of the population of the U.S. is allergic to cats. The common thought is that cat dander is the source of the allergen. However, recent studies now say that cat allergen are proteins which are produced in a cat’s saliva. This protein then gets attached to the cat’s dander and hair during the cleaning process. Cat allergen is an extremely powerful antigen and is stable over long periods of time. Again, for a person sensitive to cat allergen, not keeping a cat in your house helps. Thorough cleaning of your home, particularly your carpet also helps as cat owners tend to carry their allergen around on their clothes.
Pollen:
Pollen is produced by trees, grass and weeds during their reproductive cycles. These pollens tends to become airborne on a seasonal basis. For example, trees tend to pollinate in the southern areas of the U.S. starting in February and March while they tend to pollinate in the more northerly areas in April and May. There are few methods to mitigate the effect of pollen other than simply staying indoors and wearing filters over your mouth and nose while outside.
Air Pollutants:
There are four major forms of air pollutants which include ozone, nitrogen dioxide, sulfur dioxide, and various particulate matter. All of them can be asthma triggers in those sensitive to them. Ozone is created by the interaction of sunlight and automobile exhaust. This interaction creates the brown haze commonly known as smog. Nitrogen Dioxide is created from the burning of fossil fuels. This happens in significant amounts by cars and power plants. It can also be created indoors by smoking cigarettes. Sulfur Dioxide is emitted by coal-fired power plants commonly found in power plants, refineries, and paper pulp mills. Air particulate arises from the burning of various fuels. Diesel and regular gas produce particulate as does burning wood stoves. The best way to mitigate the effects of air pollutants is to not live in areas that are heavy with them such as heavily industrial areas or the Los Angeles basin. Not smoking inside your home also helps significantly.
Chemical and Food Allergies and Asthma:
While people can be allergic to more, there are eight major foodstuffs that create allergic reactions in people. These include peanuts, tree nuts, fish, shellfish, eggs, mile, wheat and soybeans. The reactions to these type of foods can be severe so caution is recommended. If it is suspected that a child or adult is allergic to any of these foodstuffs, one should go to your health-care professional for testing immediately. They can perform the skin allergy tests to quickly check for allergic reaction. If one is found to be allergic to any of these, simple avoidance is the best way to mitigate their effects.
Virus and Bacterial Infections:
Experiencing the common cold is a strong trigger for asthma sufferers. Studies suggest there are over 240 viruses capable of giving us the common cold. Practicing proper hygiene and persistent hand washing are helpful in reducing the incidence of the common cold.
Psychological Factors and Asthma:
As we have discussed, asthma is an immunologically driven disease. However, when we cannot breathe properly, we experience stress and emotional strain. Stress and strain weakens us and limits our ability to cope with further stress. Stress stimulates the nervous system and can ultimately lead us to more bouts with asthma, it can be a vicious cycle. A proper medical treatment program can limit the severity of your bouts with asthma which in terms reduces stress. Other tools would include therapy and proper diet.
Asthma is a disease that always exists, but the attacks come on at different points in time when there are triggers or irritants. The triggers irritate the airways of the asthma sufferer, which in turn causes an asthma attack. There are a lot of different triggers out there that can cause an asthma attack and it is important to be aware of what those are. Keep in mind, however, that different individuals suffer from different triggers and not all triggers that affect one individual will affect another, and vice versa.
Common Asthma Triggers
Some of the following triggers will affect many individuals and some will not. Also, some of these triggers will affect others in a very strong way while others will have light symptoms. Keep in mind as well that if you have eye or nasal problems the asthma triggers will likely have an affect on those symptoms as well.
There are two types of triggers, allergens, which are specific triggers, and non-allergens that are not specific and are termed irritants.
Allergens
Common allergens include the various pollens that are most prevalent in the spring and fall. Dust mites are also allergens that are around all year and can affect an asthma sufferer. Pets, insect parts, and molds also are common allergens that are at fault for causing asthma attacks. Latex, which is found in many factories and other work environments, is also an allergen. Sulfites, found in deli meat, pepperoni, hot dogs, and the like are also common allergens. Other food allergens include soy, fish, cow’s milk, eggs, peanuts, other nuts, and more.
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