But it could
mean that your child might react to asthma “triggers” in your
home.
One of the trickiest
parts about asthma and allergies is that most of the “triggers”
– like the tiny airborne particles (allergens) that can set
off an asthma episode – are hidden. But these triggers can be
life threatening for the millions of asthma sufferers in the
United States.
There is no known
“cause” of asthma – but the number of Americans with asthma
has more than doubled from nearly 7 million in 1980 to 17 million
in 1998!1 So, you are not alone.
Young Children
are at Greatest Risk
No one wants to
spend the night in the emergency room with a child suffering
an asthma attack. In fact, asthma accounts for one in six of
all pediatric emergency visits in the United States4
— and causes nearly 90,000 hospitalizations each year5!
That’s more than any other childhood disease.
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Asthma
is a Serious Disease
- Asthma
is the most common chronic childhood disease in the
U.S., affecting more than one child in 20.2
- In 1999,
there were 4,657 deaths from asthma.3
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Dust mites
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Animal
dander
(skin flakes and saliva)
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Cockroaches
and
their droppings
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Mold
and mildew
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Pollen
(from outside)
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Asthma is scary.
But while there is no sure way to prevent asthma, it is a disease
that can be managed. There are some practical things you can do
in your home to eliminate as many triggers as you can. And the
more you reduce asthma triggers, the easier your child will breathe.
Just as people
with high cholesterol have to monitor their diet/fat intake more
than the average person does. . . a person working to control
asthma has to work harder at eliminating the triggers. But it’s
possible! All it takes is commitment and a little extra time.
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SDA's
Guide Can Help Reduce Asthma Flares… One Step at a Time:
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Start with
an Allergen Plan :
1.
Work
with your regular doctor or clinic to figure out which allergens
affect your child the most.
2.
Concentrate
on controlling those allergens.
3.
Start
with the easiest, least expensive options, like working
to remove “triggers” in the
home – especially
the ones that most affect your child.
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Put Your Plan Into Action:
1.
Set
up your room-by-room cleaning plan — starting where the asthma-sufferer
sleeps.
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Wash bedding and curtains
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Dust
and vacuum
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Clean
windowsills and frames
•
Wet
mop floors
•
Remove
stuffed animals (or enclose them in a cabinet)
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Learn as much as you can about asthma:
1.
Ask
your doctor or clinic for asthma education information.
2.
Join
an asthma support group. Studies show they can really help you
set and reach your goals.
3.
Keep
an asthma diary to track asthma episodes.
4.
Work
with your doctor or clinic to determine what other steps you need
to take —
such as removing carpeting from your home.
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Studies show that by limiting your shild's exposure to asthma
triggers when he or she is young,
you may reduce the severity of his/her asthma later in life!
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Interested
in Learning More about Asthma?
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U.S.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: www.cdc.gov
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FREE
Allergen Control Plan Handbook
A step-by-step guide
is available to help you get started with eliminating triggers
from your home. For your free copy of Cleaning to Control Allergies
and Asthma, write to:
The Soap and Detergent Association
1500 K Street, NW
Suite 300
Washington, DC 20005
Fax: 202-347-4110
E-mail: order@cleaning101.com
Available
in English, Spanish or Vietnamese.
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References:
1. Asthma
Prevention Program of the Nat'l Ctr. for Environmental Health,
CDC, 1998
2. Asthma
and Allergy Foundation of America
3. National
Vital Statistics Reports, Vol. 49, No. 8, CDC
4. Asthma
in Children Fact Sheet, American Lung Association, 2001
5. Nat'l Ctr.
for Health Statistics, New Asthma Estimates:Tracking Prevalence,
Health Care, & Mortality, CDC, October 5, 2001
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| © 2002 The Soap
and Detergent Association |
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