1. Asthma & Allergies

2. What is Asthma?
Chronic inflammatory disorder of the airway, making breathing difficult
Usually reversible, but not yet curable
Can be fatal
Not contagious
Not the same as allergies

3. Should You Be Concerned?
More than 22 million people in the U.S. have asthma, this includes about 6.7 million children
Asthma is a leading reason for
school absenteeism.

4. What Happens During an Asthma Episode?
Breathing tubes swell up
Muscles around these tubes tighten
Tubes make large amounts of a thick fluid called mucus

5. Warning Signs of an Asthma Episode
Coughing
Wheezing
Chest tightness
Shortness of Breath

6. When Having a Severe Asthma Episode
Go to the emergency room right away
Signs of a severe episode
Rescue or inhaler medicine doesn’t help within 15 minutes
Person’s lips or fingernails are blue
Person has trouble walking or talking due to shortness of breath

7. Asthma Triggers
Pollen
Dander
Mold
Dust
Secondhand Tobacco Smoke

8. Other Common Asthma Triggers
Cleaning products like furniture polish or dusting sprays
Personal care products like hair spray or perfume
Flu, Colds

9. What are Allergies?
An unusual reaction to something, like a food or a plant, which is normally harmless.
40 to 50 million people have allergies.
Breathing can be difficult.

10. Common Signs of Allergies
Stuffy or runny nose
Itching
A rash

11. Common Allergens
An allergen is something that causes allergy signs or allergic reaction.
Many of the asthma triggers
can also cause allergic
reactions in people who
don’t have allergies.

12. Some Other Common Allergens
Foods
Medicine
Insect Stings and bites
Contact allergens

13. Controlling Asthma & Allergies
Know your triggers
Healthy Housekeeping
Keep Down Dust Mites
Pets
Check Appliances
Smoking
Mold
Control Other Pests

14. Visit the Healthy Homes Partnership site:
For more information on healthy home environments
Special thanks to North Carolina State University Cooperative Extension for the original creation of these slides:
Dr. M. Cassandra Wiggins
Dr. Sarah D. Kirby
Dr. Wilma S. Hammett