A study by researchers at the National Jewish Medical and Research Center showed that two top triggers of child asthma attacks are often not taken from their homes. The study was published in July 2002 in The Journal of Pediatrics. It states that both smoking or owning furry or feathered pets happens in the homes of asthmatic children as often as with the general population. However their research indicates that the families could benefit greatly by removing these asthma triggers from the home.
Children with asthma who lived with smokers were different than those with only furry or feathered pets. According to the study, homes with smokers were ones with poor, nonwhite and “highly stressed” families. Pet owners did have a better knowledge about asthma than the smoking families seemed to. The pet families also had older children and better family dynamics. The study encouraged doctors to council their patients to remove these triggers to improve the lives of children.
Tobacco smoke and pet dander (from furry and feathered pets) are among the top contributors to more severe asthma symptoms. The National Heart Lung and Blood Institute recommends the first step to control asthma is the reduction of exposure to irritants such as these.
The study included 152 children with asthma between the ages of 7 to 18. A parent (or both) was also interviewed about potential allergens and irritants in their homes, the child’s history with asthma, the family’s knowledge of asthma and other related information. Thirty-eight percent of the homes had at least one smoker. Sixty-seven percent of the children in the study lived in homes with furry or feathered pets.
What can you do to help your children?
Avoid smoking in the home, around your children or give up smoking entirely.
Choose pets that are allergy friendly. Some dogs are known for being ideal for children with allergies such as the Portuguese Water Dog. Ask your child’s allergist or doctor for suggestions or ask your veterinarian.
These top allergens trigger asthma symptoms in children. By removing these triggers you can help to improve the quality of life for your children and family overall.
Use a home air purifier.
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