Pets

Your pet's dead skin flakes, urine, feces, saliva and hair can trigger asthma. Dogs, cats, rodents (including hamsters and guinea pigs), and other mammals all can trigger asthma in individuals with an allergic reaction to animal dander.

The most effective method to control animal allergens in the home is to not allow an animal in the home. If you remove an animal from the home, it is important to clean the home (including floors and walls, but especially carpets and upholstered furniture) thoroughly. Pet allergen levels are reported to stay in the home for several months after the pet is removed even with cleaning.

Isolation methods to reduce animal allergen in the home have also been suggested by reputable health authorities. Examples of isolation methods include keeping the animal in only one area of the home, keeping the animal outside, or ensuring the allergic or asthmatic individual stay away from the animal. However, the effectiveness of these methods have not been determined.

To the contrary, several reports in the literature indicate that animal allergen is carried in the air and by residents of the home on their clothing to all parts of the home, even when the animal is isolated. In fact, animal allergen is often detected in locations where no animals were housed. In these situations, it is assumed that the allergen was carried in on people that have animals or on people that have been around animals or people with animals.

Often people sensitive to animal allergens are advised to wash their pets regularly. Recent research indicates that washing pets may only provide temporary reductions in allergen levels. There is no evidence that this short term reduction is effective in reducing symptoms and it has been suggested that during the washing of the animal the sensitive individual may be initially exposed to higher levels of allergen.

Here are some actions you can take to cope with asthma problems caused by pets:

• Seriously consider finding a new home from your pets.
• Keep pets out of the bedroom and other sleeping areas at all times, and keep the door closed.
• Keep pets away from fabric-covered furniture, carpets and stuffed toys.

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Pests

Cockroaches are commonly found in crowded cities and the southern United States. Droppings or body parts of cockroaches can cause allergic reactions or trigger asthma symptoms in some individuals. Cockroach allergens likely play a significant role in asthma in many inner-city areas.

An important key to pest management is to free your home of places for pests to hide and to keep them from food and water. Pesticides are toxic for people as well as pests; try to use pest management methods that present the least risk. Some of these methods are:

• Store food in airtight containers.
• Clean all food crumbs or spilled liquids right away.
• Wash dishes as soon as you are done using them.
• Keep counters, sinks, tables and floors clean and clear of clutter.
• Fix plumbing leaks and other moisture problems.
• Take piles of boxes, newspapers, and other items where cockroaches may hide out of your home.
• Make sure garbage and trash are properly stored in containers with lids that close securely, and remove containers daily.
• Try using poison baits, boric acid, or traps first before using pesticidal sprays.

If sprays are used:

• Limit the spray to the infested area.
• Do not spray where you prepare or store food.
• Do not spray where young children play, crawl, or sleep.
• Carefully follow instructions on the label.
• Make sure there is plenty of fresh air when you spray.
• Keep the person with asthma out of the room while spraying.
• After spraying, the room should be thoroughly aired out.

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