Asthma and Allergy > Asthma > Treatments > Avoiding Inhaled Irritants

Avoiding inhaled irritants

Tobacco smoke is very irritating for people who have asthma. Studies have shown that very young children who live in homes where someone smokes are more likely to develop asthma and to have asthma episodes that require emergency room care. School-age children also have more school absences if parents or other members of the household smoke. Make your home off limits to smoking. When in restaurants, ask to be seated in the nonsmoking section. When reserving a hotel room, request a nonsmoking room.

Cold air may irritate the lungs of some people with asthma. In very cold or windy weather, put a scarf, neck gator or face mask over your mouth to ward off cold blasts.

While you cannot totally avoid outdoor air pollution, you can reduce its impact by rolling up your car windows or closing up the house and turning on the air conditioning. Watch the weather reports and limit outdoor activities on days when the pollution level is high.

Visit the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency's web site for daily air quality conditions.