Common Triggers for Asthma and Tips for Avoiding Them

More than 26 million adults and 6 million children in the U.S. have asthma. While it’s not entirely clear what causes asthma, experts believe there are many factors that combine to cause asthma. And research has found that several triggers can increase your likelihood of having an asthma attack. Let’s take a closer look at common triggers for asthma and what you can do to avoid them.

What is an asthma trigger?

If you’ve received a diagnosis of asthma, it’s important to consider triggers in your environment that may be making your symptoms worse. Triggers for asthma are different from risk factors. Risk factors make it more likely that someone gets asthma. Asthma triggers can worsen your symptoms.

There are many different triggers for asthma, such as pets, medications, and even exercise. You and your healthcare provider can work together to find ways to identify your asthma triggers and avoid them. 

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Common triggers for asthma

Not every trigger affects every person. If you have asthma, over time you’ll learn what affects your symptoms.

As you run through this list of asthma triggers, think about your own symptoms. Have you noticed whether any of them affect you? If you’re not sure, it could be a good idea to start paying a little closer attention to what makes your symptoms worse.

Respiratory infections

Respiratory infections are the most common cause of asthma attacks. Infections from the common cold (rhinovirus), RSV (respiratory syncytial virus), and other viruses can bring on asthma symptoms. 

There may be some overlap in symptoms between asthma and other respiratory infections. Most people with asthma can tell when they have breathing symptoms that are different from their usual asthma symptoms. If that’s not the case for you yet, your healthcare provider can help you understand the difference between the two. 

You should also work with your healthcare provider to make a plan for how to treat your asthma symptoms when you get a cold or chest infection.

Allergens

Allergens are substances in our environment that we breathe in. For people without asthma, they’re usually harmless. But for those with allergic asthma, they can trigger an overreaction of the immune system and lead to worsening asthma symptoms. Allergens can be found both indoors (home, work, school) and outdoors.

Examples of allergens include:

• Pollen: A natural part of plants that’s a common cause of allergies

• Animal dander: Small flecks of pet skin or dried saliva

• Dust mites: These are bugs so small you can’t see them with the naked eye. Dust mites can live on soft surfaces like carpet.

• Cockroaches: Any part of the insect or their droppings

• Mold: A fungus that naturally grows in damp places

Inhaled irritants

Similar to allergens, irritants can be found both indoors and outdoors. They can also make asthma symptoms worse. But irritants are less likely to cause a reaction from the immune system.

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Some examples of inhaled irritants include:

• Tobacco smoke: Cigarette smoke, first or secondhand

• Other types of smoke: Smoke that comes from a wood-burning stove, fireplace, or heater

• Sprays and smells: Hair spray, perfumes, paint, or powders

• Air pollution: Smog, car exhaust, wildfire smoke 

• Workplace irritants: Exposure to irritants in the workplace or the workplace environment itself (being cold, hot, or dusty, for example) can be related to asthma symptoms. You can find an extensive list of examples of irritants by occupation here.

Activities and lifestyle

Some activities and lifestyle choices can bring on asthma symptoms. These include:

• Exercise: Exercise itself can cause asthma symptoms. Or if exercising outdoors, symptoms can be brought on by other triggers like cold air, pollen, or pollution. There are ways to prevent this, so you probably won’t have to avoid exercise completely. Speak with your healthcare provider about ways to manage exercise-induced asthma.

• Cannabis smoke: Smoking cannabis may be associated with asthma symptoms, according to recent research. However, the relationship between cannabis smoke and asthma isn’t as clear.

• Sulfites: Additives and preservatives like sulfites can cause adverse reactions, including worsening of asthma symptoms. Sulfites can be found in foods (like dried fruits, processed potatoes) and alcohol (like wine, beer).

Medications

Some medications can trigger asthma symptoms. Tell your healthcare provider about any medications you’re taking, especially if you’re on any of these listed below:

• Beta blockers: These medications are commonly used to treat high blood pressure, abnormal heart rhythms, and glaucoma (in an eye-drop form). When someone has asthma but needs a beta blocker, they can make a decision together with their healthcare provider about what treatment is best.

• Aspirin and other nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs): In some people, aspirin and other NSAIDs like ibuprofen can cause severe or life-threatening asthma attacks. This is known as aspirin-associated asthma, or asthma-exacerbated respiratory disease (AERD). If you have AERD, you should avoid taking any aspirin or other NSAIDS. 

Medical conditions

Some medical conditions can make your asthma worse. Treating these conditions (where possible) can help improve your asthma symptoms.

• Rhinosinusitis: This is inflammation of the sinuses, usually caused by allergy or infection. Treating rhinosinusitis, with antihistamines, decongestants, or antibiotics (if needed), can improve asthma symptoms.

• GERD (gastroesophageal reflux disease): GERD is a condition where acid from the stomach goes up into the esophagus and throat. This reflux can cause symptoms, such as heartburn, a bitter taste in the mouth, and coughing. In people with asthma and symptoms of GERD, treating GERD can help improve the asthma symptoms.

• Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA): OSA is a condition where your airway becomes blocked during sleep. This can cause you to stop breathing temporarily. OSA can worsen asthma symptoms, and asthma can worsen OSA. Asthma symptoms get better when OSA is treated.

• Obesity: People living with a heavier body weight tend to have more severe asthma and more frequent symptoms. In some studies, when people lose some excess weight, their asthma symptoms or lung function improve.

• Anxiety and depression: The link between stress, depression, and asthma is not fully understood. But stress is linked to poor control of asthma. If you have asthma and symptoms of depression, it’s a good idea to mention this to your healthcare provider. Improving your mental health may help your symptoms of asthma.

• Hormone changes: About one-third of women with asthma experience worsening symptoms around the time of their menstrual cycle. This relationship isn’t clear, but it’s likely due to hormonal changes. 

Managing your asthma triggers

The goal of good asthma care is to allow you to live your healthiest life possible. A big part of this is figuring out what triggers your asthma so that you can avoid them as much as possible. 

Identify your asthma triggers

You may be able to identify triggers based on patterns in your symptoms. For example, is your asthma worse outside? Or when you exercise? 

Some people notice that they have more asthma symptoms at work. Some clues that you may have a work-related trigger are that your coworkers have similar symptoms, or your symptoms get better on vacation or on weekends. 

There are a few ways to identify your triggers. These include:

• Keeping a symptom diary (taking note of when you get symptoms and what you were doing)

• Using a peak flow meter (taking note of changes in your baseline)

• Allergy testing (this can give clues or confirm possible triggers)

Reduce your exposure

Some asthma triggers can’t be completely avoided, like getting respiratory infections and hormone changes. But, there are things you can do to reduce your exposure to certain triggers. If you’ve had allergy testing already and know what you’re sensitive to, you can avoid these things as much as possible. 

Here are some tips on how to avoid asthma triggers. The American Lung Association also has a handy list of suggestions:

• Respiratory illness: Proper handwashing and avoiding people who are sick are good places to start. Experts also recommend getting a flu shot yearly.

• Smoking: It’s very important for people with asthma to avoid tobacco smoke. If you smoke, now is the time to quit. Symptoms and lung function should improve after you stop smoking.

• Mold: Adults with asthma can feel better after getting rid of dampness and mold in the home. Cleaning regularly, fixing leaky faucets, and turning on an exhaust fan while you shower are easy steps to take. 

• Animals: This one is tricky, especially if you already have a loved furry friend. If you have a pet you just can’t part with, try to keep it out of the room where you spend the most time and vacuum regularly.

• Pests: To keep the bugs away, be sure to dust and vacuum weekly, keep your garbage outside, and never leave food out.

• Dust mites: It’s helpful to keep the humidity in your house at less than 50% and get dust mite covers for your mattress and pillow. Dust, vacuum, and wash your bedding weekly.

• Pollen: During allergy season, stay indoors as much as possible and keep the windows closed if you can.

• Exercise: Warm up before you work out, and try to avoid exercising outdoors when the air quality is poor. Some people may need to use an inhaler (like albuterol) before exercise.

When should you see your medical provider about asthma?

If you’re having asthma symptoms that are not getting better, you should let your healthcare provider know right away. They may need to make adjustments to your treatment plan to get your asthma better managed. Symptoms to take note of include:

• Coughing

• Shortness of breath

• Decreased peak flow

• Wheezing

• Straining to breathe

• Using your medication more often

It’s also always a good idea to have regular checkups with your healthcare provider. This helps them keep you informed of any new approaches to treatment.

Why trust our experts?

Written by:

Mandy Armitage, MD

Mandy Armitage, MD, has combined her interests in clinical medicine with her passion for education and content development for many years. She served as medical director for the health technology companies HealthLoop (now Get Well) and Doximity.

Edited by:

Karla Robinson, MD

Karla Robinson, MD, is a medical editor for GoodRx. She is a licensed, board-certified family physician with almost 20 years of experience in health through varied clinical, administrative, and educational roles.

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