Triggers!

[Lisabaxter]

So I’ve become so obsessed with what is setting my son off that I’ve removed my (beloved) rug in the living room, bought some dehumidifiers (do you find they help?!) and also bought an oximeter so I can keep track at home of his levels. I’ve been like a mad woman this week, but I hope it helps him out xxx

[Hidden]

Lisa, given the time of year there is one thing that springs to mind immediately that might be causing problems. This is the time of year when people tend to turn on their radiators after they probably been off for most of the summer. This may be irrelevant if you have some other form of heating, but it's a useful point in general for asthmatics, so I'll explain further anyway.

Radiators are a great way to keep a house warm. Unfortunately they are also extremely effective dust traps and that means that when they are on they not only radiate heat, they also do a very good job at circulating fine particles of dust around the room too. Radiator dusting brushes are available at most hardware stores; if you don't have one, I do recommend you get one. I also recommend that you dampen it when you use it: that will help it to trap and hold on to the dust rather than just displacing it. One other point: I never have the radiators on in the bedrooms. This stems from the fact that not only I'm asthmatic but my younger son was as well. Cool bedrooms are actually better for asthmatics in my experience. Also, air his bed and bedroom out thoroughly every morning (window open for at least an hour if you can manage it). Throw his bedclothes back, hump the pillows up to form an arch and let the air circulate around the bedding thoroughly. I also keep the bedroom doors shut for most of the day, only opening them two or three hours before bedtime. That allows warmth from the rest of the house to take the worst of the chill off.

Other things that might help (apologies if you are already doing some of these): as a general rule I hoover my house once a week and I am thorough about it. As far as dusting is concerned wherever possible I use a dusting brush attachment on my hoover. If your appliance doesn't have one and you can't get one for it, damp dusting (using a dampened dusting cloth) is a good alternative - don't use a dry duster, it will only displace the dust, it won't remove it. Wipe down any condensation that has formed on windows overnight, or in the bathroom after a bath/shower to discourage mould from forming (mould is a major trigger for asthmatics).

Don't store things under his bed. I know it's a useful space to put things, but they will act as dust traps; they will also hinder good air circulation around his bed. Wash any soft toys he likes regularly.

Those the things that come to mind right now. As I said, apologies if you are already doing these. If not, I hope some of them help:-).

[Lisabaxter in reply to Hidden]

Fab advice, thank you! X

[Hidden]

Great reply Maggie. One thing you didn't mention is the need to wash all bedclothes and towels in at least 60 degrees to kill the dust mites. x

[Hidden in reply to Hidden]

Good point!:-).

[Hidden in reply to Hidden]

I've also seen/heard advice being given for putting soft toys (smaller soft toys) in freezer bags in a plastic box and being placed in a freezer for a while, presumably on a high shelf or in a draw well away from any frozen raw meat. I never did this (nor do I know anyone who tried it) so I don't know any details as to how long soft toys should remain in the freezer or how effective it is. Someone else on the forum may know though, or AsthmaUK may have more information. I believe it's considered another way of discouraging dust mites.

[Wheezycat in reply to Hidden]

I am not 100% sure, but re toys etc in freezing conditions, I would say 24 hours. I am fairly sure that is a number I have heard.

[Chip_y2kuk]

I react to dry or hot dry air and damp cold air... so a dehumidifier would eventually make the air too dry for me and i'd suffer.I'm also allergic to dust (as are a lot of asthmatics) and this time of year is fantastic for house dust mites... they like it warm damp and as someone as already said hide behind radiators, love to eat mold and dead skin cells.... there also pretty resistant buggers needing to be washed at 60 or frozen

[Hidden]

Hi Lisabaxter

There's some information about managing triggers in the home here: bit.ly/2sJHyCK

And some more specifically about house dust mites bit.ly/2xt6oET. They are tricky to try and avoid especially living in UK and the damp. We suggest if your son's asthma is triggered by dust mites, the best way to reduce asthma symptoms is make sure it's well managed, as this reduces the likelihood of your son reacting to the dust mite droppings when he comes into contact with them.

Hope that helps,

Dita

[awilso]

My main triggers are grass pollen, dairy, E220-E228, car exhausts, nail polish remover (acetone) nail polish, and building dust. This probably explains why I am always asthmatic.