Cockroaches are the most common indoor insects that produce airborne allergens. Most people don't like to think about cockroaches, but a protein in their droppings is one of the most common indoor asthma triggers for people who live in densely-populated, urban environments. Asian ladybug droppings are another similar type of insect allergen found indoors.
Importance of Avoiding Insect Allergens
According to the Expert Panel Guidelines for managing asthma, the first and foremost step in controlling allergic asthma is to reduce exposure to the allergens to which you are sensitive. So, if insect allergens are one of your asthma or allergy triggers, then you should focus on avoiding them as much as you possibly can.
Having said that, though, it's also important to state that total avoidance of all environmental allergens is not practical or realistic. Despite your best efforts, there is a chance that you will be exposed to some insect allergens at some point, which may trigger your asthma symptoms.
Still, you can take some steps that will decrease your exposure, and you should take them if you want to stay as healthy as possible.
Tips on How to Avoid Insect Allergens
- Prevent leaky areas in the home, or if they occur, repair them quickly. Cockroaches need water to thrive, so preventing areas of standing water will help keep them at bay.
- Don't leave food or garbage lying around. Cockroaches are also attracted to food left out in the open, so don't make it easy for them to find those things. Take out the garbage and recyclables frequently, and keep them in closed containers when they are in your home. Keep food in lidded containers and put your pet's food dishes away after meals, rather than leaving them sitting around with food in them all day long.
- Maintain a clean home. Cockroaches won't thrive in a clean, dry environment. So, wipe off stove and countertops and vacuum floors/carpets after meals. Make sure to wash dirty dishes in hot, soapy water regularly too. Clean up crumbs and other spills under both small appliances such as toasters, as well as large appliances such as stoves and refrigerators regularly.
- Block areas where cockroaches or Asian ladybugs could enter the home. This includes crevices, wall cracks, windows, woodwork or floor gaps, basement entrances and outside doors and drains.
If you find out that you have either cockroaches or Asian ladybugs inside, then it's time to call a professional exterminator to remove the pests from your environment. Do not attempt to do it yourself as you want to be sure you remove all traces, and hopefully, prevent them from returning.
Minimizing Your Risk From Insect Allergens Indoors
If you can't always totally avoid contacting insect allergens, which is your best bet at preventing allergic reactions, then at least minimize the risk of serious symptoms by preparing for them.Medication Is Your Second Line of Defense Against Indoor Insect Allergens
First of all, be sure to take all of your asthma controller medicine as prescribed. This will help prevent serious symptoms, even if you do contact insect allergens.
Second, keep your quick-relief inhaler close by too, just in case. If your controller medicine fails to prevent symptoms, your quick-relief inhaler can help get things back on track while your body recovers from coming into contact with insect allergens. If you find you're needing to use it twice a week or more, though, it's time to take more vigorous efforts to remove insect allergens from your environment or to talk with your doctor about adjusting your controller medication.
Living a life without limits may mean making some compromises in some areas, so that you can keep breathing well and staying active. But, any steps you can take will be well worth it in the long run.
Learn how to avoid stinging insects.
Sources:
AAAAI, "Tips to remember: indoor allergens." American Academy of Allergy Asthma & Immunology. 01 January 2007. AAAAI. 12 Sep 2008. Nakazawa T, Satinover SM, Naccara L, et al. Asian Ladybugs(Harmonia axyridis): A New Seasonal Indoor Allergen. J Allergy Clin Immunol. 2007; 119: 421-7.
