Asthma Triggers and How to Avoid Them

What does asthma feel like?

The NHS lists the main symptoms as wheezing, coughing, shortness of breath and a tight chest. They come and go, can be mild or severe, and often get worse at night and in the early morning. If that pattern sounds familiar, it is worth seeing a doctor rather than assuming it is a long cold.

What sets asthma off?

The NHS names exercise, air pollution, cold weather, and allergies to pollen, dust, mould or animal fur. Some people find painkillers such as aspirin and ibuprofen make their symptoms worse. Smoking, being inactive and carrying extra weight all make asthma harder to control.

The CDC adds infections such as colds, flu and RSV, sinus problems, chemicals and strong fragrances, acid reflux, extreme weather, certain foods and medicines, hard exercise, and even strong emotions.

How do you reduce dust mites at home?

Dust mites live in bedding and soft furnishings. The CDC suggests:

• Allergen-proof covers on mattresses and pillows
• Avoiding down-filled pillows and quilts
• Washing sheets weekly and drying them completely
• Vacuuming with a HEPA filter
• Keeping indoor humidity low, around 30–50%

What about mould and damp?

The CDC's advice is to dry anything wet within 24 to 48 hours, fix leaks quickly, replace mouldy materials, keep humidity under 50% with air conditioning or a dehumidifier, clean hard surfaces with detergent and water, and run the bathroom exhaust fan while showering.

What about smoke, pests and pets?

• Smoke: nobody should smoke near a person with asthma. Second-hand smoke is a trigger in its own right.
• Cockroaches and pests: clean up straight after eating, keep food in sealed containers, use closed bins, vacuum often, and seal cracks. The CDC specifically warns against sprays and foggers, because they can set off an attack.
• Pets: if you are allergic, keep animals out of bedrooms, bathe them regularly, use a HEPA air cleaner, and use allergen-proof bedding covers. For some people, rehoming the animal is the honest answer.

What about outdoor air?

The CDC's advice is to pay attention to air quality forecasts and plan around them. Pollution from traffic, factories and smoke is a known trigger, so on bad-air days it is reasonable to move a walk indoors or shift it to a quieter time. Cold weather is a separate trigger listed by the NHS, so covering your nose and mouth with a scarf in winter is a simple step.

How do you find your own triggers?

Keep a short note of when symptoms hit and what was happening: the room you were in, the weather, whether you had a cold, what you were doing. A pattern usually appears within a few weeks, and it gives your doctor something concrete to work with. Do not stop or change any prescribed treatment while you do this.

When to see a doctor

The NHS says to see a doctor if you have asthma symptoms, if your treatment does not seem to be working, if you are needing your reliever inhaler more often than before, or if symptoms are stopping you doing normal things or waking you at night. Needing a reliever more often is an important signal that your asthma is not controlled — it is a reason to get reviewed, not a reason to simply use more.

An asthma attack is an emergency. Get help immediately if:

• Your symptoms get worse at any point — wheezing, coughing, chest tightness or breathlessness
• You are no better after taking the maximum dose of your reliever inhaler as set out in your action plan
• You do not have a reliever inhaler with you
• You are too breathless to speak in full sentences, eat or sleep

Sit upright, try to stay calm, and call Rescue 1122 where available, or go to the nearest hospital emergency department. Do not drive yourself.