Managing Allergic Asthma

After a diagnosis of asthma, you should have an allergy assessment. Tests should identify any triggers to avoid.

Avoidance routine

Your avoidance programme must be comprehensive. Just making one change will not work. An integrated routine should include:

• Enclosed barrier covers for mattress, pillows, duvet
• Change bedroom carpet for hard floor
• Steam clean all upholstery regularly, but preferably choose leather
• Bedroom window open for ventilation
• Hang duvet over a chair to air duvet and mattress and let daylight to mattress
• Store all clothes, toys and clutter in closed cupboards
• Clean all surfaces daily using e–cloth
• Vacuum all communal areas daily
• Clean other surfaces and vacuum twice weekly
• Keep bathroom and kitchen doors closed and windows open when showering/cooking to keep steam from the rest of the house
• Do not dry wet clothes indoors
• Remove/treat all sources of damp.

House dust mites

The most common indoor allergen in the UK is house dust mite allergen. Protein in their faecal pellets dries to become fine dust that impregnates bedding, carpets and upholstery. House dust mites need moisture, warmth and food to survive. So the bed is their greatest haven, as every night we produce about half a litre of water from our breath and sweat, plus a gram of skin to feed them.

Pets

If you are allergic to an animal that you must keep, then it should not be allowed in any living areas. Their allergen is in saliva, skin oils and body fluids that coat skin cells and fur. When animals groom, they distribute allergen into the air. Allergen is also wherever they sit or lay. After washing all surfaces and walls, washing animals twice weekly controls the allergen levels.

Lifestyle

Asthma is often worse when you are overweight. Exercise regularly to help weight control, improve circulation and lung function, and release serotonins to help you feel lively and happy. Any exercise is good, particularly swimming. There is also evidence that plenty of fruit and vegetables help better asthma control.

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