House without mites, children without asthma
A formula against asthma of the kids? Science has shown that controlling allergens and household pollutants can reduce the need for medications. This is what the American Academy of Pediatrics, that remembers how many things of the home that contribute to the symptoms and attacks the asthma.
"The mites of powder and the mold top the list, along with furry pets, cockroaches and fragrances and chemicals in the air, "says co-author of the study published in Pediatrics, Dr. Elizabeth Matsui." By intervening, you can have a large impact on asthma of their children, "says the expert, who is also a professor of pediatrics, epidemiology and environmental health sciences at the Bloomberg School of Public Health at Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore.
In Spain, one in ten children has asthma. It is a chronic lung condition that makes breathing difficult. When the respiratory tract they become inflamed and narrow, they lead to wheezing, clenching of the chest, shortness of breath and coughing.
What if my child has asthma?
When a child has asthma, you have to know where it comes from. Sometimes asthma is formed by some infections, but in this study the environmental triggers are analyzed. The test of allergies (a blood test or a skin test in the allergist) can offer vital answers, as these experts remember.
"As the mother of a child with asthma, I can honestly say that knowing what triggers asthma is important for the general health and quality of life of the child," says the pediatric allergies and immunology department at Nicklaus Children's Hospital in Miami. , Vivian Hernández Trujillo, which ensures that, after identifying the environmental culprits, appropriate measures can be taken.
Cleaning at home against asthma
If our son's asthma has to do with dust mites, one solution is to remove carpets and stuffed animals from home. Also, the vacuum cleaner will be 'your best ally': it is recommended to vacuum with a HEPA filter, cover the mattress and the mattress in antiallergic covers, and wash the sheets regularly with hot water to control the dust mites.
Now, what if the child's asthma is triggered by allergy to cat? "There is no other way but to find a new home for the animal", explain the experts, who assure that the allergen produced by the pet "is aerial and very sticky, so even if you try to isolate the pet, there will not be any improvement in the child's asthma. "
It is also important to talk about others indoor pollutants, like tobacco: "stop smoking or at least prohibit it inside the house is key", say the doctors. "As adults we have control over this, and we should not underestimate the negative impact this has on the health of our children, especially those with respiratory conditions such as asthma," emphasizes Dr. Hernández Trujillo.
"If the environmental exposures are addressed, the effects on the child's asthma may be similar to those observed with the medications," insists Dr. Matsui, who says that, at a minimum, this method could reduce the need for control medications. But to succeed, you have to address all the triggers, not just one or two, he added Matsui
Damián Montero
