Asthma Triggers: What Usually Causes an Asthma Attack?
Asthma attacks are caused by asthma triggers, irritants in the environment that cause asthma attacks. There are two types of triggers:
- Allergic triggers set off an asthma attack in people who have allergies to those triggers. For example, some people with asthma are allergic to cats and may get an asthma attack when they come into contact with cat hair. Is your child allergic to anything? If so, what?
- Non-allergic triggers set off an asthma attack in anyone with asthma.
Not all children react to the same triggers. It is important to identify what triggers your child’s asthma. Below is a list of common asthma triggers.
Common Asthma Triggers
| Allergic Triggers | Non-Allergic Triggers |
| Dust (house dust mites) | Tobacco Smoke |
| Mold | Air Pollution and Smog |
| Pollen | Cooking fumes, fumes from gas |
| Dog or Cat hair | Wood smoke |
| Mice | Fumes from kerosene |
| Cockroaches | Paint fumes |
| Aspirin | Viral Respiratory Infections |
| Preservatives in Food | Exercise |
| Some food (food allergies) | Weather changes (cold air) |
| Some beverages | Strong odors |
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