Asthma and indoor allergies1
Allergies can make your asthma symptoms worse. Household pests (i.e., dust mites and cockroaches), mold, and even your pets can cause asthma symptoms to flare up. Fortunately, there are some simple steps you can take to
avoid these asthma triggers.
Household pests and asthma
Dust mites, cockroaches, and mice can all make asthma symptoms worse. Here are some ways to avoid exposure to these indoor allergens:
- Limit the amount of carpeting and upholstered furniture
- Vacuum, clean, and dust on a regular basis
- Use covers that don't let dust or mites through
("allergen-impermeable") for mattresses and pillows
- Wash sheets and blankets weekly in hot water
(at least 130º F)
- Limit stuffed toys and wash them weekly
- Keep the indoor humidity level below 60%
Asthma and pets
Your pets may cause
asthma symptoms to become worse. To reduce exposure to pet allergens, keep pets out of the bedroom and use a HEPA filter. If these methods don't help, you may have to re-home your pets.
Reference
- NHLBI Expert Panel Report 3 (EPR3): Guidelines for the Diagnosis and Management of Asthma. Available at: http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/guidelines/asthma/asthgdln.htm. Accessed April 20, 2010.
ProAir
® HFA (albuterol sulfate) Inhalation Aerosol is indicated in patients 4 years of age and older for the treatment or prevention of bronchospasm with reversible obstructive airway disease and for the prevention of exercise-induced bronchospasm.
Important Safety Information
If your symptoms become significantly worse when you use ProAir
® HFA, contact your doctor immediately. This may indicate either a worsening of your asthma or a reaction to the medication, which may rarely occur with the first use of a new canister of ProAir
® HFA. Either of these could be life-threatening.
What to tell your doctor before using ProAir
® HFA: If you have a heart, blood, or seizure disorder, high blood pressure, diabetes, or an overactive thyroid, be sure to tell your doctor. Also make sure your doctor knows all the medications you are taking – especially heart medications and drugs that treat depression – because some medications may interfere with how well your asthma medications work. Do not exceed the recommended dose.
Side effects associated with ProAir
® HFA included headache, rapid heart beat, pain, dizziness, and irritation of the throat and nose.
You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit
www.fda.gov/medwatch, or call 1-800-FDA-1088.