Avoid Common Asthma Triggers after a Hurricane

Avoid Common Asthma Triggers after a Hurricane

An asthma attack can happen when you or your children are exposed to asthma triggers. After a hurricane, more or different asthma triggers may be present.  The following tips can help you and your family avoid common asthma triggers after a hurricane:  

• Wash hands. Illnesses such as colds or the flu can trigger an asthma attack. Keeping hands clean helps prevent the spread of cold and flu germs. If safe water is not available, you can use a hand sanitizer with a 60% alcohol content to clean your hands.
• Avoid homes or buildings with mold damage. People with asthma, allergies, or other breathing conditions may be more sensitive to mold. Try not to enter any building that has mold growth you can see or smell, or that had leaks that let water get inside. Children should not take part in disaster cleanup work, whether or not they have asthma.
• Be careful around generators. When a power outage occurs after a storm, some people may use generators as a backup power source. These generators provide power to appliances, lights, and other vital items in the home, including “breathing treatments” for asthma (also known as nebulizer machines). Using generators improperly can cause poisonous carbon monoxide or “CO,” which you cannot see or smell, to build up in a home, garage, or camper. Keep generators and other gasoline-powered engines at least 20 feet from any window, door, or vent and use a battery-powered or battery backup carbon monoxide detector in your home.
• Avoid smoking and secondhand smoke. Tobacco smoke is unhealthy for everyone, especially people with asthma. If you have asthma and you smoke, think about quitting. “Secondhand smoke” is smoke created by a smoker and breathed in by a second person. Secondhand smoke can trigger an asthma attack. If you have asthma, people should never smoke near you, in your home, in your car, or wherever you may spend a lot of time.
• Take your medicine exactly as your doctor or other medical professional tells you to do. Not everyone with asthma takes the same medicine. Some medicines can be inhaled or breathed in, and some can be taken as a pill. Asthma medicines come in two types—quick relief and long-term control. Quick-relief medicines control the symptoms of an asthma attack. If you need to use your quick-relief medicines more and more (for example, more than two times per week), you should visit your doctor or other medical professional to see if you need a different medicine.
• Manage stress. Strong emotions can trigger an asthma attack. Take care of your mind and body, connect with others, and seek help when you need it.
• Get a flu shot. Influenza, commonly called “the flu”, can trigger an asthma attack. Everyone 6 months of age and older should get a flu vaccine every year.  

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Asthma Care Before, During, and After a Hurricane or Other Tropical Storm

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Before a Hurricane or Other Tropical Storm

During and after a hurricane, you may need supplies to keep your family safe and healthy. Remember that a hurricane could cut off your power and water supply. You also may not be able to drive because of damage to your car. Roads may be flooded or blocked.
That’s why it’s best to be prepared — stock up on everything you might need, including:

• At least a 3-day supply of asthma medications
• Copies of important documents such as insurance cards and immunization records (and asthma action plans, if available)
• Equipment you may need to use when cleaning up after the storm, including N95 respirators, goggles, protective gloves, and waterproof boots.

Remember that certain items, like medications and paper documents, need to be kept in waterproof containers.
More information is available on preparing for a hurricane or other tropical storm.

Avoiding Common Asthma Triggers During and After a Hurricane or Other Tropical Storm

• People with asthma should get a flu shot every year

Influenza, commonly called “the flu”, can trigger an asthma attack. Everyone 6 months of age and older should get a flu vaccine every year. It is particularly important for people with asthma to be vaccinated against the flu every year because they are more likely to have serious health problems from getting the flu. This website has information on flu shots for people with asthma.

• Personal Hygiene and Handwashing After a Disaster or Emergency

Illnesses such as colds or the flu can trigger an asthma attack. Keeping hands clean helps prevent the spread of these germs. This website includes information on handwashing during or after emergencies, when finding clean, safe running water can sometimes be difficult.

• Coping with a Disaster or Traumatic Event

During and after a disaster it is natural to experience different and strong emotions. Strong emotions can trigger an asthma attack. This website has information on steps people can take to help themselves and others cope.

• Common asthma triggers

This website describes other common triggers of asthma attacks and how to avoid them.

• Homeowner’s and Renter’s Guide to Mold Cleanup After Disasters

If your home was flooded and you were not able to dry your home (including furniture and other items) within 24-48 hours, you should assume you have mold growth. Breathing in mold can trigger an asthma attack. If possible, people with asthma should stay away from moldy sites. This website includes information on how to recognize mold and how to safely clean up mold.

• Ready Wrigley Prepares for Storm & Flood Recovery

This website includes information for children about mold, a common asthma trigger. Children should not take part in disaster cleanup work.

Using Asthma Medications or Devices During and After a Hurricane or Other Tropical Storm

• Controlling asthma with medications

Asthma can be controlled by taking asthma medication exactly as directed by a doctor or other medical professional. This website has information on how asthma medications help control asthma.

• Know how to use your asthma inhaler

This website has videos and step-by-step instructions (in English and Spanish) on the correct way to use a common type of asthma inhaler (a metered dose inhaler).

• Prevent carbon monoxide poisoning when using generators for breathing treatments during power outages

When a power outage occurs after a storm, some people may use generators as a backup power source. These generators provide power to appliances, lights, and other vital items in the home, including “breathing treatments” for asthma (also known as nebulizer machines). Using generators improperly can cause poisonous gas (carbon monoxide) to build up in a home, garage, or camper. Never use a generator indoors or less than 20 feet from any window, door, or vent. When using a generator, use a battery-powered or battery backup carbon monoxide detector. This website has information on how to prevent carbon monoxide poisoning after an emergency.

• Safe Drug Use After a Natural Disaster

This website includes information on the use of medications that might be affected by flooding, unsafe water, or other disasters.

Getting Asthma Medications or Devices During and After a Hurricane or Other Tropical Storm

• How uninsured patients can get assistance under the Emergency Prescription Assistance Program

This website describes the Emergency Prescription Assistance Program (EPAP), which can help people who don’t have health insurance continue to use certain prescription drugs, medical supplies, or medical equipment in a disaster area. People with health insurance are not eligible to receive assistance under EPAP.

• Getting prescriptions with a Medicare drug plan in a disaster or emergency

This website has information on how people with Medicare drug plans can get prescription medications in a disaster or emergency.