Although there is no cure yet, with good management, people with asthma can lead normal, active lives.

It is important to identify the allergens in your environment that trigger your asthma or allergies. Your doctor can help you do this, often with the help of allergy tests, such as the skin prick test or blood (allergen specific IgE) test.

Reducing your exposure to the confirmed allergens is a key part of managing your asthma and allergies. Your doctor can advise you on ways to avoid exposure, and further tips are given throughout this booklet. Your doctor will also be able to prescribe you appropriate medication and will work out if immunotherapy (desensitisation) is suitable for you.

There are several things you can do to manage your asthma:

• Follow your written asthma action plan
• Take your asthma medications as instructed by your doctor, even when you are well
• Work with your doctor to find out what triggers your asthma and try to avoid these trigger factors as much as possible
• See your doctor for regular check-ups, so that you can work together to monitor and control your asthma

What are the main triggers?

There are many different triggers for asthma and these will differ in each person. If you are one of the many people with asthma who also have allergies, breathing in an allergen is a major trigger for asthma symptoms.

The most common allergic triggers:

• House dust mites
• Pets
• Pollens
• Mould

Other common asthma triggers:

• Cigarette smoke
• Viral infections (e.g. colds and flu)
• Change in temperature or humidity
• Work or hobby causes (e.g. sawdust, chemicals, latex)
• Strong fumes and smells
• Some medicines (e.g. aspirin, certain blood pressure drugs)
• Some complementary therapies (e.g. Echinacea, royal jelly)
• Some food additives (e.g. sulphite preservatives in wine and dried fruit)

Medications

Depending on how severe your asthma is, your doctor may prescribe one or more types of asthma medicines:

• A preventer medicine helps to reduce the inflammation in your airways. It should be taken every day, even when you have no symptoms
• A reliever medicine relaxes the airway muscles and makes it easier to breathe when you have asthma symptoms. If you find you are using your reliever more than 3-4 times a week, you should see your doctor
• A symptom controller relaxes the airway muscles for up to 12 hours, helping to reduce your symptoms of asthma. Symptom controllers are only used by people taking preventer medicines
• A combination medication contains both a preventer and a symptom controller in the one inhaler 

Usually asthma medications are inhaled through puffers, which some people use with a spacer (a plastic tube or container) to make it easier to breathe in the medication. There is also a preventer tablet that suits some people with asthma. Asthma triggered by exercise may be helped by medication and/or warmup exercises. 

Want to know more?

If you would like to view copies of our useful guides, find out more information on managing your conditions or get tips on how to avoid common asthma and allergy triggers, please go to Living with Asthma & Allergy.

Medical Disclaimer
Although all care has been taken, these publications are a general guide only and are not intended to be a substitute for individual medical advice or treatment. Any questions regarding a medical diagnosis or treatment should be directed to a medical practitioner. The National Asthma Council Australia expressly disclaims all responsibility (including for negligence) for any loss, damage or personal injury resulting from reliance on the information contained herein.

Content Updated 20 December 2009