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SALT LAKE CITY — May is Asthma Awareness Month, with health advocates noting the month is peak season for those with asthma and allergies.
It is “a perfect time to educate your patients, family, friends, co-workers and others about these diseases,” the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America wrote in a statement.
A little more than 8 percent of all children in the United States have asthma, according to 2016 data by the American Academy of Allergy Asthma & Immunology. And more than 3,500 people died from asthma-related causes in 2015.
In Utah, more than 200,000 people suffer from asthma, according to the American Lung Association.
“Even if you don’t suffer from asthma symptoms yourself, you can learn to support those in your life and community who do. Asthma Awareness Month is the perfect opportunity to take the Asthma Basics course, it may just help save a life,” said Jill Heins, regional senior director for lung health at the American Lung Association, in a statement.
With the month associated with bringing awareness to the condition, the agency released four quiet triggers for those who have asthma in an effort to cut down asthma attacks:
- Scents from perfumes, deodorants and cleaning supplies can affect a person with asthma. When possible, chose cleaning and personal care products that are odor and fragrance-free
- Ozone pollution and particle pollution are two of the most widespread and dangerous air pollutants and can cause asthma attacks, as well as respiratory and cardiovascular problems.
- Pests in a home, workplace or school can impact a person’s asthma conditions. To reduce exposure, people can wash bedding regularly, fix leaks, store garbage outside, vacuum and dust weekly. People can also use allergen-proof pillow and mattress covers.
- Pets, such as cats, dogs, bunnies, hamsters, mice and other furry friends, as well as dander and saliva from animals with fur or feathers, can be an allergen. People can reduce exposure to pet allergens by vacuuming and damp dusting weekly. People should also keep pets out of a bedroom or other rooms someone with asthma spends a lot of time in.
