Some common asthma triggers include dust mites, smoke, allergens, emotional stress, and exercise.

Asthma triggers refer to anything that could irritate your lungs and either worsen asthma symptoms or cause an asthma flare-up. Asthma triggers are common, which is what makes them so troublesome.

The best way to prevent an asthma attack is to avoid asthma triggers, but this could be difficult.

Some research suggests that people with asthma may have an average of eight triggers, which may comprise airborne, emotional, and physical triggers.

Keep reading to learn more about the most common asthma triggers and how to reduce your risk of an asthma flare.

Some of the most common asthma triggers are found in the air. These are sometimes referred to as environmental irritants or air pollution.

Asthma triggers in the air could be classified into outdoor irritants and indoor irritants.

Outdoor airborne asthma triggers

According to the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America (AAFA), some common outdoor irritants may include:

  • pollen
  • dust
  • air pollution, such as smog, haze, and soot
  • smoke, such as from cigarettes, stoves, and fires
  • fumes from burning vegetation
  • vapors and smells, such as from paint, gas, and perfume

Indoor airborne asthma triggers

The air inside your home or other indoor spaces may also be responsible for triggering your asthma symptoms.

For instance, you may find that you wheeze or cough more at home. But once you leave, your symptoms gradually subside.

Some common irritants, areas, or sources of indoor air pollutants may include:

  • mold
  • dust mites
  • carpets
  • new furniture
  • wall paint
  • indoor insecticides
  • cleaning products, candles, and air fresheners
  • smoke, such as from smoking or cooking
  • garage and storage spaces

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Allergies and asthma are two closely related conditions because they’re commonly triggered by similar things.

According to the AAFA, allergies are the most common cause of asthma symptoms. This is known as allergic asthma. Children with allergies are up to eight times more likely to have asthma than those without allergies.

Allergic reactions occur when your immune system releases immunoglobulin E (IgE) as a response to being exposed to an allergen, which it mistakes as an attacker.

Too much IgE, however, may lead to lung inflammation, coughing, and difficulty breathing, triggering asthma.

The most common allergens associated with asthma are environmental irritants, including:

Food allergies may also be associated with asthma. Research from 2023 found that 1 in 4 people with asthma had at least one allergic reaction to food in the past year.

Despite the association between asthma and allergies, experts aren’t sure of asthma’s exact cause. As such, it’s not certain if allergies themselves can cause asthma.

Weather changes are common asthma triggers.

In a 2023 study of 1,434 participants, 77% of participants reported weather changes as asthma triggers, making them the most commonly reported asthma triggers.

Some common asthma triggers associated with weather changes include:

  • increases in temperature
  • increases in humidity
  • decreases in humidity and temperature, such as a dry, cold winter day

Seasonal allergies are also commonly reported asthma triggers related to weather changes. During the springtime, for example, many people experience allergies from pollen, grasses, and trees, such as hay fever and rhinitis.

Some research also suggests that extreme weather shifts and events, such as typhoons, hurricanes, storms, and wildfires, are associated with an increase in asthma attacks.

Emotional responses may also trigger asthma symptoms.

According to Asthma and Lung UK, this is because emotional responses may affect the way you breathe.

Feelings of stress, anxiety, fear, and laughter may cause rapid breathing (hyperventilating). This may cause your airways to narrow and lead to asthma symptoms like wheezing, coughing, and chest tightness.

Infections, viruses, and other conditions that affect your lungs and cause inflammation may trigger your asthma.

According to the AAFA, the following health conditions could trigger asthma:

Some medications may also trigger asthma, such as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and beta-blockers.

Speak with a healthcare professional if you think you have a health condition that may be triggering asthma. They could help develop a treatment plan for you.

Asthma triggered by exercise is known as exercise-induced asthma (EIA) or exercise-induced bronchoconstriction (EIB). Aerobic training, also known as cardio, is most commonly associated with EIA.

Some research suggests that up to 9 out of 10 people with asthma experience some form of EIB.

When you inhale, the air is heated and humidified in your airways because it’s easier for your lungs to take in. During exercise, you breathe in more air than usual, which means more air has to be heated and humidified.

For people with asthma, this increased capacity may cause lung inflammation and asthma symptoms like wheezing, chest tightness, and shortness of breath.

You’re also more likely to breathe in through your mouth, increasing the risk of inhaling irritants in the air.

Although exercise is a common asthma trigger, physical activity is crucial for health. Over time, exercise may also help improve lung function, aerobic fitness, and asthma symptoms, which can increase your quality of life.

If you experience asthma symptoms during exercise, speak with a healthcare professional. They may prescribe an inhaler medication called a short-acting beta-agonist (SABA) to take shortly before exercising to prevent EIA.

The best way to manage asthma triggers is to avoid them in the first place. However, this isn’t always possible. Here are some tips to help you manage triggers:

  • Limit your time outside during peak pollen times, drastic weather changes, and hazy days.
  • Use air conditioning, heating, a humidifier, or a dehumidifier to manage the temperature and humidity indoors.
  • If possible, try keeping animals out of your bedroom, off furniture, and outside most of the time. Indoor pets should be bathed frequently.
  • Regularly dust, vacuum, and clean indoor spaces, carpets, and linens. Consider purchasing dust-proof covers for your mattress, box spring, and sofa and dust-proof pillow wraps.
  • Manage damp places like your kitchen, bath, and basement by using a dehumidifier and regularly ventilating and cleaning the area. Toss out any shower curtains, rugs, leaves, or firewood with mold or mildew.
  • If you notice cockroaches, call an exterminator or use roach gels to reduce the number in your home.

A healthcare professional could also help modify your treatment plan, if necessary.

Asthma triggers are so common that it could be hard to avoid them. Some common triggers include air pollution, smoke, insects, allergies, exercise, and emotional stressors.

Consider speaking with a healthcare professional if you regularly experience asthma symptoms. They could help you identify possible triggers and develop ways to avoid or manage them.