- There's nothing you can do to fully prevent your child from developing asthma if it's in his genes. And you won't know whether your child will be asthmatic until he shows consistent symptoms, such as wheezing and constant coughing. That said, you may be able to minimize the severity of your child's symptoms or delay the onset of his asthma until he's older (and his lungs are bigger and stronger) if you do the following:
Limit his exposure to dust mites: Encase your baby's mattress in an impermeable cover, remove carpeting and plush toys from his room, use blinds instead of heavy fabric drapes, and wash his bedding once a week in hot water. - Keep your baby away from secondhand smoke. Cigarette smoke isn't technically considered an allergen, but it does irritate the lungs.
- Limit his exposure to air pollution. Air pollutants such as ozone can irritate the lungs and cause breathing problems in people with sensitive respiratory tracts. Check your local newspaper or radio for reports on the Air Quality Index, and consider keeping your baby indoors on days when the air quality is poor.
- Avoid using a fireplace or wood stove. Although the warmth and coziness are inviting, the smoke may irritate your child's respiratory system.
- If your child has developed an allergy to your family pet, keep the pet outside if you possibly can. Of course, depending on your pet's disposition and your living situation, this won't always be possible.
- Reduce mold in your home. Install exhaust fans or open the window in the kitchen when cooking and the bathroom when showering, for example. Use an air conditioner or dehumidifier, if necessary, to keep the humidity level between 35 and 50 percent. Repair leaks, which can cause mold growth behind walls and under floors, and clean moldy surfaces using soap and water. Make sure damp or wet clothing or surfaces are dried as soon as possible to prevent mold growth.
Tags: Air Pollutants Air Pollution Air Quality Index Asthma Cigarette Smoke Tabacco
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