To keep medications at a minimum, the new pediatric asthma
guidelines recommend ways to reduce exposure to major indoor
triggers for asthma, including tobacco and smoke; allergens to
which the child is sensitive, such as dust mites, cockroaches,
molds and animal dander; and other airborne irritants, such as
fumes and odors.
SMOKE: Permit no smoking around the child or in the child's
home; help parents and caregivers quit smoking; eliminate use of
wood stoves and fireplaces.
DUST MITES: Encase the child's mattress and box springs in an
allergen-impermeable cover; cover the pillow in an
allergen-impermeable case or wash weekly in hot water; remove
carpets from bedroom; have child avoid sleeping or lying on
upholstered furniture and carpets; minimize stuffed animals in
child's bedroom; reduce indoor humidity to less than 50 percent;
wash stuffed toys weekly in hot water.
ANIMAL DANDER: If possible, remove pets and any products made
from feathers from the home. At least keep the pet out of the
child's bedroom and keep the bedroom door closed; keep the pet off
upholstered furniture and carpets; wash the pet weekly to decrease
dander, urine and dried saliva; and use a filter on air ducts in a
child's room.
COCKROACH ALLERGENS: Do not leave food or garbage exposed;
reduce indoor humidity to less than 50 percent; fix leaky faucets
and pipes; use boric acid traps (avoid using poison around young
children).
INDOOR MOLD: Fix leaky faucets and pipes; avoid vaporizers;
reduce indoor humidity to less than 50 percent.
VIRAL INFECTIONS: Get flu shots each fall for children who are
not allergic to eggs; limit exposure to anyone with a viral
infection.
