Does anyone else find being on their laptop triggers asthma attacks?

[RuralLad]

Hello, pretty new to asthma, was only diagnosed a year ago & even then it wasn't clear-cut, but the nurse said "If it walks like a duck, quacks like a duck ..."!

A heavy cold which started 10 days ago was basically responsible for triggering my asthma off, but now I seem to get an attack every time I'm on my laptop for more than 5 minutes. I'd noted over previous months that the laptop often seems to set it off.

Has anyone else found this? I've tried cleaning it off with a damp micropore cloth, but that doesn't seem to have helped at all. Anyone got any other ideas, if0 or feedback?

[Wheezycat]

If you are unwell with an infection, or just recovering from the effects of it, could it be that it causes you extra strain to sit with the laptop? What happens if you try it just for 3 minutes, does that worsen your asthma? (I would also be frustrated with just three minutes, but as a point of trying to work it out.....)? Or could it be something with your posture when you are using the laptop ? Or do you clean your laptop with some stuff that gives off smells (volatile organic compounds). Best of luck for trying to it out.

[RuralLad in reply to Wheezycat]

Hi, thanks for replying. I'm pretty sure it's not "extra strain" as I'm doing nothing different to usual. I think the infection (of cold) means that my lungs & respiratory system's just laid low anyway, so I'm more susceptible to the dust that screens tend to attract. I usually completely ignore any kind of cleaning of my computer at all! so taking a damp micropore cloth to it 2 days ago was the first kind of cleaning it had had in about 6 months! and no chemicsls were used at all.

Yes, 3 minutes can trigger it, usually get away with 2 tho. Having said that, I managed a whole 15 minutes without problem early yesterday evening (windows closed too). But just starting to cough now ...

[Wheezycat in reply to RuralLad]

15 minutes must have been a relief! But as you say after an infection lungs are so much more sensitive, that things that wouldn’t normally Irritate do. While electronics, and dust that go with them isn’t an issue for me, there are many other things I do now react on. I once even briefly reacted on someone toasting bread! That was a first! So for you, maybe it is just time, that it will all calm down. Sounds like it is already.

[Ken6]

Are you sitting on wool or cotton cushions? I sprayed/cleaned mine with Dettol All in One spray. I t kills bugs much to small to see. If you do the same make sure you buy the spray in the blue can its main ingredient is ethanol and evaporates away quickly. The disinfectant in the plastic bottles is water based which will make your soft furnishings damp. I sit at my laptop for two hours (much to long) reading the free online newspapers every morning. My peak flow is always around 470.

Good luck

Ken

[RuralLad in reply to Ken6]

That's interesting, thanks, will try removing cushion altogether as first step to see if that makes any difference; will keep you posted!

[maryemma in reply to RuralLad]

A few months ago I got rid of all my cleaning and washing products and replaced them with ECO friendly ones the effect on my asthma is amazing good luck maryemma

[RuralLad in reply to maryemma]

Thanks Maryemma, I do do that anyway as I'm actually allergic to many chemicals following carbon-monoxide poisoning from a faulty back boiler many years ago. The only chem cleaner I use is Dettox anti-bacterial which is perfume free, and that in moderation.

[OhThatsNotGood]

Hey there - did you ever get any further follow-up on this? I have been having an issue lately that seems asthma or allergy related, and is triggered by a increasing number of things - but the thing I can remember triggering this feeling first was my laptop. I had mild exercise-induced asthma as a kid, but nothing like what I'm going through now. I'm worried that maybe my laptop really is hurting me o.o