Asthma is a serious medical condition that affects people of all ages. It constricts the airways and makes breathing more difficult, and this produces the characteristic wheezing sound often associated with the disease. The causes of asthma can be genetic, but it can also be worsened by environmental factors.
If you or someone in your family has asthma it’s important to take medication prescribed by your doctor, but you can also take positive steps in your own home that may help to relieve or prevent conditions associated with asthma. Here are three possible irritants, and what to do about them, from selecting the best duvet to buy to using the right cleaning products.
1. Dust Mites In Bedding
Dust mites are one of the most common irritants associated with asthma, and even if you can’t see them, they could be in your home, particularly in your bedding. These microscopic organisms are also associated with eczema and allergic rhinitis, so it makes sense to do all you can to eradicate them from your home. One way to do this is to install high-quality wool bedding. The company Urban Wool are one of the top choices for wool products as they use 100% pure, natural organic wool which is naturally hypoallergenic, meaning you likely won’t experience your symptoms as much. It not only feels luxuriant and warm, but it’s also washable and dust mite resistant. Using an organic wool duvet and wool pillows for a person with asthma can greatly reduce their symptoms, particularly at night, and this can also help them get a better night’s sleep.
2. Smoke
We all know the harm that cigarette smoking can do for us, and thankfully, most people are also aware of the dangers that passive smoking can bring. More and more people are quitting smoking, and the number of adult smokers has fallen by nearly a quarter in the last five years alone. That’s great news for asthma sufferers because your smoke can be a major irritant to their airways, and this can trigger an asthma attack. Smoke from e-cigarettes may act as a trigger, even though they may be far less harmful than traditional cigarettes in other ways, so if you have an asthmatic in your house, it makes sense to head outside to enjoy your vaping.
3. Cleaning Products
We all want our homes to look clean and smell fresh, but if you have asthma, you should be careful about which products you buy and use. Avoid cleaning products that have lots of chemicals in them, and favour natural-based products, particularly those in solid form or that are liquids that can be applied with a cloth.
If you do have to purchase chemical products care should be taken in their storage due to their highly flammable nature. For instance, high-pressure aerosol cans should be stored correctly in aerosol storage cages such as Storemasta Cages.
Aerosol sprays mean that potential irritants can be carried in the air, and if breathed in by an asthma sufferer, they could lead to wheezing or coughing. Some asthma sufferers, although not all, also find strong scents a trigger, so be wary of this when purchasing air fresheners. For those of us with cats, be aware that common cat litter creates irritating dust, and can be a contributor to attacks. Look for low dust cat litters for asthma to address this issue.
There are 5.4 million asthma sufferers in the UK, approximately one million of whom are children, so we should do all we can to create a healthier environment for them. Road pollution and industrial pollution can exacerbate the problem, but so can factors in the home. Stopping smoking, using more natural cleaning products, avoiding aerosols, and using natural wool duvets can all help in the fight against asthma, and you could be surprised at the difference they make.
