Question: What Symptoms Is A Child Likely To Exhibit If He Or She Were In The Yellow One And What Immediate Actions Would You Take?

How To Control Things That Make Your Asthma Worse This guide suggests things you can do to avoid your asthma triggers. Put a check next to the triggers that you know make your asthma worse and ask your doctor to help you find out if you have other triggers as well. Then decide with your doctor what steps you will take. Allergens Indoor Mold Animal Dander Fix leaky faucets, pipes, or other sources of water that have mold Some people are allergic to the flakes of skin or dried saliva from animals around them. with fur or feathers. Clean moldy surfaces with a cleaner that has bleach in it. The best thing to do: Keep furred or feathered pets out of your home. Pollen and Outdoor Mold If you can’t keep the pet outdoors, then: What to do during your allergy season (when pollen or mold spore counts Keep the pet out of your bedroom and other sleeping areas at all times, are high): and keep the door closed. Try to keep your windows closed. Remove carpets and furniture covered with cloth from your home. Stay indoors with windows closed from late morning to afternoon, If that is not possible, keep the pet away from fabric-covered furniture if you can. Pollen and some mold spore counts are highest at that time. and carpets. Ask your doctor whether you need to take or increase anti-inflammatory medicine before your allergy season starts. o Dust Mites Many people with asthma are allergic to dust mites. Dust mites are tiny bugs Irritants that are found in every home-in mattresses, pillows, carpets, upholstered Tobacco Smoke furniture, bedcovers, clothes, stuffed toys, and fabric or other fabric-covered If you smoke, ask your doctor for ways to help you quit. Ask family items members to quit smoking, too. Things that can help: Do not allow smoking in your home or car. Encase your mattress in a special dust-proof cover. Encase your pillow in a special dust-proof cover or wash the pillow each Smoke, Strong Odors, and Sprays week in hot water. Water must be hotter than 130°F to kill the mites. If possible, do not use a wood-burning stove, kerosene heater, or fireplace. Cold or warm water used with detergent and bleach can also be effective. Try to stay away from strong odors and sprays, such as perfume, talcum Wash the sheets and blankets on your bed each week in hot water. powder, hair spray, and paints. Reduce indoor humidity to below 60 percent (ideally between 30-50 percent). Dehumidifiers or central air conditioners can do this. Other things that bring on asthma symptoms in some people include: Try not to sleep or lie on cloth-covered cushions. Vacuum Cleaning Remove carpets from your bedroom and those laid on concrete, if you can. Try to get someone else to vacuum for you once or twice a week, Keep stuffed toys out of the bed or wash the toys weekly in hot water or if you can. Stay out of rooms while they are being vacuumed and for cooler water with detergent and bleach. a short while afterward. If you vacuum, use a dust mask (from a hardware store), a double-layered o Cockroaches or microfilter vacuum cleaner bag, or a vacuum cleaner with a HEPA filter. Many people with asthma are allergic to the dried droppings and remains of cockroaches. Other Things That Can Make Asthma Worse The best thing to do: Sulfites in foods and beverages: Do not drink beer or wine or eat dried Keep food and garbage in closed containers. Never leave food out. fruit, processed potatoes, or shrimp if they cause asthma symptoms. Use poison baits, powders, gels, or paste (for example, boric acid). Cold air: Cover your nose and mouth with a scarf on cold or windy days. You can also use traps. Other medicines: Tell your doctor about all the medicines you take. If a spray is used to kill roaches, stay out of the room until the odor Include cold medicines, aspirin, vitamins and other supplements, and goes away nonselective beta-blockers (including those in eye drops). . . . SONA For More Information, go to: www.nhlbi.nih.gov HEADS