No More Sneezy, Dopey, Grumpy, Wheezy: Keep Your Home Asthma-Safe
Make these simple adjustments at home so asthma sufferers don't have to put up with these annoying symptoms
Many things that are potential asthma triggers can be found in your home, and these include some furnishings, flooring (carpets and rugs) and cleaning products. Being able to identify what triggers an asthma attack and how to avoid these triggers are key to maintaining the well-being of asthma sufferers. Below are some common triggers and suggestions on how to deal with or manage them.
Humidity
Humidity is a given in the tropics. Reduce humidity in the home by keeping your home well-ventilated (opening windows or using extractor fans in the kitchen and bathroom). Lower humidity means fewer mould spores and dust mites.
These ventilation blocks (pictured above) allow more air flow-through while providing aesthetics and function (helps separate a long, open space).
Consider buying air filters and purifiers, which clean the air and can help reduce the number of asthma triggers.
These products may help with cleaning up the air in your home
Humidity is a given in the tropics. Reduce humidity in the home by keeping your home well-ventilated (opening windows or using extractor fans in the kitchen and bathroom). Lower humidity means fewer mould spores and dust mites.
These ventilation blocks (pictured above) allow more air flow-through while providing aesthetics and function (helps separate a long, open space).
Consider buying air filters and purifiers, which clean the air and can help reduce the number of asthma triggers.
These products may help with cleaning up the air in your home
A well-ventilated bathroom is just as important in the home.
Open the windows after you’ve had a bath or shower, to allow moisture to evaporate. Wipe down countertops and try to keep this space uncluttered (to prevent dust gathering) and dry (deters mould) as much as possible.
Window louvres (pictured) provide enough ventilation while maintaining privacy.
Open the windows after you’ve had a bath or shower, to allow moisture to evaporate. Wipe down countertops and try to keep this space uncluttered (to prevent dust gathering) and dry (deters mould) as much as possible.
Window louvres (pictured) provide enough ventilation while maintaining privacy.
Another area where mould spores hide is in the shoe cabinet. This cabinet with holes is a good idea for airing out shoes that have taken the brunt of the day’s walking, running and feet perspiration. Make sure the shoe cabinet is set away from the main living and dining areas of your home, and in a well-ventilated spot.
Bedsheets
The rough rule of thumb is to change sheets once a week. This prevents stains and body oils from setting in and also deters dust mites (a common allergen) from setting up home in your bed.
However for asthma sufferers, “it pays to wash sheets more often than once a week,” advises Healthxchange.sg.
Read this guide before you buy your bedsheets
The rough rule of thumb is to change sheets once a week. This prevents stains and body oils from setting in and also deters dust mites (a common allergen) from setting up home in your bed.
However for asthma sufferers, “it pays to wash sheets more often than once a week,” advises Healthxchange.sg.
Read this guide before you buy your bedsheets
The same advice apply to quilt covers.
Tip: A hot wash cycle – over 60°C – reduces dust mites, according to Healthxchange.sg.
Tip: A hot wash cycle – over 60°C – reduces dust mites, according to Healthxchange.sg.
Pillows
Aside from specially-made pillows for those with asthma or allergies, check stores for washable pillows (and wash them at least four to six times a year).
Aside from specially-made pillows for those with asthma or allergies, check stores for washable pillows (and wash them at least four to six times a year).
Use pillow and mattress protectors, which prevent pillows and the mattress from absorbing allergens and other body/hair secretions. Wash them as often as you do the bedsheets.
Tip: Wash new sheets, quilt covers and pillowcases before using them, especially the dark coloured ones, to remove excess dye* and to set the sizing (possible shrinkage depending on material).
*Dye is a potential irritant and especially irritating to those who also suffer from eczema (which is part of a group of inherited allergic conditions such as asthma and hay fever).
Tip: Wash new sheets, quilt covers and pillowcases before using them, especially the dark coloured ones, to remove excess dye* and to set the sizing (possible shrinkage depending on material).
*Dye is a potential irritant and especially irritating to those who also suffer from eczema (which is part of a group of inherited allergic conditions such as asthma and hay fever).
Mattresses and soft toys
Dust mites can be found in soft toys. Have these sanitised when you get your mattresses professionally sanitised.
Dust mites can be found in soft toys. Have these sanitised when you get your mattresses professionally sanitised.
Carpeting
Carpeting attracts allergens such as dust mites and pet dander.
If you must have carpeting in the home, vacuum regularly and steam-clean carpets on a regular basis.
Otherwise, you might want to consider hard-surface flooring like tiles, vinyl, cork or wood. These are much easier to keep clean.
Consider alternative flooring
Carpeting attracts allergens such as dust mites and pet dander.
If you must have carpeting in the home, vacuum regularly and steam-clean carpets on a regular basis.
Otherwise, you might want to consider hard-surface flooring like tiles, vinyl, cork or wood. These are much easier to keep clean.
Consider alternative flooring
Other potential triggers
Animals
Pet dander and even feathers are common asthma triggers.
Here’s what you can do if you love dogs but can’t have one at home
Animals
Pet dander and even feathers are common asthma triggers.
Here’s what you can do if you love dogs but can’t have one at home
Tobacco smoke
Establish smoke-free zones or ground rules for those who smoke in the home.
Establish smoke-free zones or ground rules for those who smoke in the home.
Food additives
Avoid foods with additives, such as sulphites and monosodium glutamate (MSG), which can trigger asthma attacks in some.
Avoid foods with additives, such as sulphites and monosodium glutamate (MSG), which can trigger asthma attacks in some.
Medication
Some drugs (medicine) may trigger an asthma attack. Check with your doctor if in doubt.
Some drugs (medicine) may trigger an asthma attack. Check with your doctor if in doubt.
Lazy hazy days
Last but not least, the haze may not have hit our island nation much this year but it’s always good to be prepared, especially if you have children who are asthmatic.
TELL US
Do you have an asthma sufferer at home? How do you deal with potential asthma attack triggers? Share your tips in Comments below.
MORE
Products to help you keep dust at bay
How to Kick Out (and Keep Out) Stinky Home Odours
Last but not least, the haze may not have hit our island nation much this year but it’s always good to be prepared, especially if you have children who are asthmatic.
TELL US
Do you have an asthma sufferer at home? How do you deal with potential asthma attack triggers? Share your tips in Comments below.
MORE
Products to help you keep dust at bay
How to Kick Out (and Keep Out) Stinky Home Odours
This chronic medical condition benefits from vigorous management. And knowing where to look for the potential triggers is at the top of the list.