Life Essentials Magazine - June 2017

8
USE HYPOALLERGENIC
PILLOWS AND BEDDINGS
Sleep with a featherless pillow if you have
asthma. Feathers can trigger asthma
symptoms and reduce lung function. The
same can be said for bedding, try to get
hypoallergenic comforters and sheets.
9
HAVE YOUR HOUSE
CHECKED FOR ALLERGENS
Your home is where most asthma triggers
are located. These include dust, mold, and
spores. Have an inspector who focuses
on allergens and irritants come into your
home once a year to help you detect
what you have and learn how to remove
it. Regularly cleaning your house can also
contribute to preventing a buildup of
these substances.
KEEP YOURSELF WARM
Protect yourself against breathing
in cold air that aggravates your asthma by
wearing a scarf that covers your nose and
mouth. Bundling up puts heat between the
air and your lungs, which can help lessen
your risk of an asthma attack. Cool air has
been known to trigger an asthma attack,
particularly in very young children who
have severe or moderate asthma.
GARGLE AFTER
USING THE INHALER
Inhalers are necessary to use every day,
but be aware that inhalers have been
known to cause infections near the teeth
and gums. A good way to prevent these
complications and side effects is to brush
your teeth and gargle immediately after
using your inhaler.
LIMIT EXPOSURE TO PETS
You don’t have to give up your
pets, but you will have to take extra
precautions to avoid asthma attacks.
Anyone with asthma should limit
exposure to household pets and other
types of animals. Animals carry pollen
and dust with them and can trigger
serious asthma attacks.
126 | June 2017