What people with asthma need to know about spring

Did you know that there are factors in your environment that can cause your asthma to flare-up? Understanding what triggers your symptoms can help you prevent flare ups. Learn how to limit these common triggers.

Smoke: All types of smoke can bother your lungs and trigger asthma flare ups If you smoke, ask your doctor for help quitting as soon as possible. Avoid secondhand smoke as well.

Dust mites: These are the most common year-round allergens, says Myron Zitt, M.D., past president of the American College of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology (ACAAI). Cockroaches and other bugs can be triggers, too. Keep your home as clean as possible.

Pet dander: Keep pets off furniture and out of bedrooms. Have a professional groomer bathe your dog monthly, and keep them on a regular grooming schedule through allergy season. Brushing daily or weekly at home can also help get rid of pet dander and dead skin cells.

Mold: When it’s too damp in your house, mold can grow. Use a humidity monitor to keep your house within the recommended 30 to 40 percent humidity level.

Strong smells: Chemicals in perfumes, soaps, and household cleaners can be irritating. Use nontoxic, unscented cleaners, or natural alternatives such as baking soda and vinegar.

Pollen: During allergy season, check the allergen counts and Air Quality Index levels in your area each day before heading outside. If they’re high, consider keeping your windows closed and limiting your time outdoors. Another option: Wear a mask while gardening or doing yard work. The ACAAI recommends a National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) — approved N95 particulate filtering mask to best protect yourself. You can find a list of suppliers on the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website. When you’re inside, consider using an air conditioner or HEPA air filter.

Viral infections: Even minor respiratory illnesses like colds can cause problems for people with asthma. Avoid viral infections by washing your hands frequently, keeping your distance from others, and getting an annual flu shot.

Clean your inhaler the right way

A clogged and dirty inhaler can make the medicine less effective — even if your technique is on point. Here’s a step-by-step guide to keeping your inhaler squeaky clean.

It’s no bigger than the palm of your hand and it slips right into your pocket or purse. And if you’ve ever had an asthma attack, you know the first thing you reach for is your inhaler.

For folks who have asthma or other breathing conditions, such as emphysema or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), inhalers can make all the difference. That’s because unlike medications you take by mouth, an inhaler gives you a premeasured dose of medicine directly into your lungs. It lowers inflammation in your airways, treats wheezing, and relieves shortness of breath — all with fewer unwanted side effects than oral medications.

For your inhaler to work, however, it’s critical that you keep it clean. If it contains dirt, bits of food, or is clogged up with medicine, that can obstruct the opening, which can keep the inhaler from spraying properly. Plus, a dirty inhaler can lead to a buildup of bacteria, mold, and debris, which can irritate your airways or even cause a serious respiratory infection.

Know your inhaler type and clean it correctly the first time. Some inhalers contain long-acting once-or-twice-a-day medicine, while others are “rescue inhalers” that can help you out of a jam when you have a sudden attack and are struggling to breathe. While your doctor will prescribe the inhaler that’s right for you, once it’s in your hands, your job is to follow the instructions carefully and use your inhaler correctly. Here’s a look at the main types of inhalers, plus cleaning tips for each.

Metered-dose inhalers (MDIs) like Proventil have a plastic casing that holds a pressurized cannister containing both medicine and a propellant. The propellant forces the medication into your lungs through a mouthpiece. Your doctor may also ask you to use a spacer — a plastic tube placed between the MDI and your mouth. That can help more of the medicine get into your airways.

Cleaning tips:

• Every few days, take the canister out of the plastic casing and remove the cap that covers the mouthpiece.
• Using warm water and a natural detergent with no artificial color, bleach, or ammonia, thoroughly wash the plastic casing and the cap.
• Dry the casing inside and out, then put the canister back into the casing and perform a test dose.
• Give your spacer a frequent bath, too: Wash it in warm, soapy water, then dry it with a soft cloth. (Some spacers may be dishwasher safe, but check the package insert first.)

Dry-powder inhalers (DPIs) like Diskus are plastic disks that release a mist of dry powder when you close your lips around the mouthpiece and take a deep breath. They can be easier to use than MDIs.

Cleaning tips:

• Wipe the mouthpiece with a clean, dry cloth after each use.
• Don’t use water. It may cause the powder inside the disk to clump, preventing the medicine from getting into your airways.

Slow-mist inhalers like Spiriva, as with MDIs, have a cannister of medicine tucked inside a plastic casing. When you place the mouthpiece against your lips, it produces a fine mist that’s propelled into your lungs more slowly than MDIs. The upside: Slow-mist inhalers release less aerosol into your mouth.

Cleaning tips:

• Every day or two, clean the mouthpiece, any metal trim, and the plastic casing with a damp cloth or tissue.
• Wipe everything with a clean, dry cloth.

No matter which type of inhaler you have, keeping it clean it is key to its effectiveness and your piece of mind.