Living with asthma

Colds, flu and other viral infections are more common in winter.

To protect yourself from viral infections:

• get the annual flu vaccine in the autumn - you can get vaccinated at your GP or a local pharmacy
• check that you have had the pneumococcal vaccine
• wash your hands properly and often
• check that visitors to your home or workplace do not have symptoms of colds or flu
• do not touch your eyes, nose or mouth if your hands are not clean
• do not share objects that touch your mouth, for example, bottles or cups
• follow advice on how to avoid getting a chest infection

Your COVID-19 vaccine will help to prevent serious illness from COVID-19.

Seasonal boosters of the COVID-19 vaccine

You'll have more asthma symptoms if you:

• smoke
• vape (use e-cigarettes)
• breathe in secondhand smoke

You may also need more medicines to control your asthma.

Keep your home smoke-free. The best thing you can do for your health is not to smoke or vape (use e-cigarettes).

Get help to quit smoking

People with asthma do not usually have to follow a special diet.

Some food additives and preservatives can trigger an asthma attack. This trigger is more common in children.

Food and drink and asthma - asthma.ie

Stress can make asthma symptoms worse.

Stress - tips and self-help

To reduce the risk from dust and dust mites:

• choose wood or hard vinyl floor coverings instead of carpet if possible - carpets and rugs can hold lots of dust
• dust with a damp cloth every week
• wear a dust mask when you are dusting or cleaning
• wash your bed-clothes at 60 degrees Celsius every week
• use allergy-proof covers for your duvet, pillows and bed-clothes

Asthma triggers in the bedroom (video)

Allergies can develop at any time. The next time you spend some time away from your pet, see if your symptoms improve. If you think you are allergic to your pet, talk to your GP about allergy testing.

If animal allergies are a serious trigger, you may need to rehome your pet.

If you cannot rehome your pet:

• use a special vacuum cleaner for pet hair - one with a high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filter may be more effective
• keep your pets out of your bedroom and living areas
• keep your pets outside as much as possible
• do not allow your pets on fabric-covered furniture, rugs and carpets
• get someone to wash your pet around twice a week

Using an air cleaner with a HEPA filter in your bedroom or living room may be beneficial. These devices can help reduce allergen levels if you use them along with other measures.

About 8 in 10 people who have asthma also have hay fever. If you have hay fever, pollen could be an asthma trigger for you.

When the pollen count is high:

• use your controller or MART inhaler consistently
• keep your reliever inhaler with you

Check the pollen forecast - met.ie

You can treat hay fever symptoms with:

• antihistamines
• nasal sprays that contain corticosteroids

Early treatment can help manage your symptoms and reduce your risk of an asthma attack.

Asthma treatments

Aspirin and other non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as ibuprofen can trigger asthma symptoms in some adults with asthma.

You may be more at risk of this reaction if you also have nasal polyps.

If you are sensitive to aspirin and NSAIDs:

• talk to your GP or pharmacist about other medicines
• read the labels of medicines to treat pain, colds and fever before you take them

Beta blockers are medicines used to treat:

• high blood pressure
• heart disease
• migraines
• glaucoma - in the form of eye drops

If you have asthma and need to take beta blockers, your doctor will monitor you for side effects. Tell your doctor if any medicines make your asthma symptoms worse.

It can be hard to predict if the weather is going to trigger asthma symptoms. Keep your inhaler with you in case you need it.

Check the weather forecast - met.ie

Keep your inhaler with you if hot weather can trigger your symptoms. Keep it in a cooler bag and out of sunlight. Air quality is usually better in the morning so try to get outside earlier in the day.

Cold air can shock your lungs and trigger an attack. Wear a scarf around your nose and mouth to stop this happening.

The atmosphere before and during a thunderstorm can trigger asthma. If thunderstorms trigger your asthma, avoid going outside when a thunderstorm is due.

Work-related asthma is when exposure to irritants at work:

• makes your existing asthma worse (work-aggravated asthma)
• causes your asthma (occupational asthma) - your symptoms may disappear if you avoid the irritants

Irritants can include dust or certain chemicals.

Common causes of occupational asthma include:

• isocyanates - chemicals in spray paint
• flour and grain dust
• colophony - a substance in solder fumes
• latex
• animals
• wood dust

Talk to your employer if you are diagnosed with occupational asthma.

It may be possible to:

• substitute or remove the substance that triggers your asthma from your workplace
• change your role within the company
• provide you with protective breathing equipment

Occupational asthma and dermatitis - hsa.ie

Outdoor pollution can include car fumes, smog, ozone and smoke. Check the air quality regularly and keep your inhalers with you on days when the air quality is not good.

Check the air quality index for health - airquality.ie

We spend more time inside during the winter months.

To help improve indoor air quality and reduce asthma triggers:

• keep rooms well aired so they are not too warm
• use only the recommended fuel for your fire or stove
• keep your flues clear and chimneys swept so smoke escapes properly

The Asthma Society of Ireland can give you practical advice on how to make your home asthma friendly.

Freephone: 1800 44 54 64

Moulds and fungi grow on walls and windows in damp houses.

To help prevent mould and damp in your home:

• use an extractor or open a window when cooking or having a shower to prevent condensation
• keep any curtains clean, especially bathroom curtains
• dry your washing outside, if you can
• remove mould in bins by washing and disinfecting them