One common asthma myth is that asthma triggers are found mostly outdoors. In fact, asthma triggers can be found everywhere—outdoors, at work and inside the home.

Asthma affects more than 20 million Americans. Many Americans may spend 90 percent of their time indoors, making indoor air quality important for asthma patients.

The Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America, in collaboration with Merck, has a new resource guide to help patients with asthma better control their indoor environments. "The Guide for Creating an AsthmaHealthy Home" offers a list of common indoor asthma triggers, from allergens to irritants, and useful, easy tips for reducing asthma triggers in every room of the house.

Indoor triggers can include dust, mold and pet dander as well as chemicals found in cleaning products, potpourri and air fresheners. The indoor environment may expose people to more asthma triggers than anywhere else.

There are two main types of indoor asthma triggers:

•Allergens such as animal dander, cockroaches, dust mites and mold, which can be found in common household furniture and materials.

•Irritants, which are particles that can pollute indoor air and irritate the airways in the lungs. They are commonly found in certain types of paints, varnishes, waxes, solvents and cleaning products.

Here are some easytofollow, roombyroom tips for creating an asthma-healthy home:

•Get rid of dust mites. Use dust mite resistant mattresses and pillowcases and wash sheets once a week in 130-degree water to kill dust mites and their eggs.

•Never eat in bed. Replace mattresses every 10 years. Vacuum floors and wipe dust off furniture weekly.

•Opt for blinds and shades rather than heavy drapes and curtains.

•Wash children's plush toys regularly. Also freeze them for 24 hours to kill mites.

•Waterproof the home to avoid mold and mildew by fixing leaky pipes, using a fan or vent when showering to keep air circulating and reduce moisture, and using easy-to-clean flooring and avoiding carpeting where moisture can get trapped and encourage mold.

•Avoid irritants such as scented candles, air fresheners and potpourri.

•Avoid woodburning fireplaces and kerosene heaters.

•Learn about common volatile organic compounds that can be in cleaning products, paints, solvents and varnishes so they can be avoided.

For more information and the AAFA guide, visit the website www.ASTHMyths.com.

This article provided by North American Precis Syndicate Inc.