Health officials have long thought hormones play a role in female asthma. Whether cleaning products can trigger asthma is open to debate. CONTACT INFORMATION Dr. Jill Ohar, Wake Forest University, (336) 716-8426 Dr. Stephen Redd, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, (770) 488-4606 FOR MORE INFORMATION The American Lung Association, (800) LUNG-USA (586-4872), or visit their Web site at www.lungusa.org American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology Allergy Control Products, Inc., (800) 422-DUST (3878), or try their Web site at www.allergycontrol.com Mission Allergy, Inc., (877) NOALLER(GY) or go to www.missionallergy.com Pam Winnefeld battles asthma nearly every day. Her doctor diagnosed household cleaners as a major culprit. "Cleaning products, bad dust, all those kind(s) of things absolutely set me off," said Winnefeld. "Women still do the primary caregiving and cleaning of the household, are exposed to house dust mites more, exposed to chemical irritants in the form of cleaning solvents more than men," said Dr. Jill Ohar, professor of pulmonary medicine. Asthma experts say women over 30 are prime targets for the disease. "The rates have gone up 105 percent for females over the past 15 years or so, compared to about a 41 percent increase for males," said Dr. Stephen Redd of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in Atlanta. Not only do women get asthma more often than men, they also have more severe, sudden attacks, and are hospitalized and die more often from the disease. "I have been in intensive care units. I've almost had to have a breathing tube in," said Gerry Rivers, an asthma patient. Spring cleaning sent Rivers to the emergency room with a severe asthma attack. "It was from some all-purpose cleaners and some floor cleaners," she said. "I ended up coughing. It progressed to chest tightness." Which ingredients most often trigger attacks? Ohar says it's easy to tell -- just use your nose. "Typical things are ammonia-containing compounds, chlorine-containing compounds [can spur them]," Ohar said. "All of those have that kind of noxious smell. When you put your nose to the bottle -- you know them when you see them." Rivers says she had to rethink how she cleans, and she asks for help with vacuuming. She also avoids aerosols, and gets back to basics, and uses natural alternatives. "[I use] what my mom and my grandma used, using vinegar or using baking soda," Rivers said. Remember when using cleaning products, proper ventilation is key to avoiding fumes. And it's a good idea to talk to your doctor on how to avoid possible asthma triggers. Copyright 2003 by WNBC.com. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. www.dahodreams.fourpointwellness.com

Thanks for sharing Angie. I know first hand how this one goes. My little one has asthma & my oldest had it til he hit his 20's.
It is a great idea to keep the house well ventilated. Wash all pillows & blankets every other week. This allows those little dust mites to not be allowed to multiply. I also stuck a air purifier on my furnace. This is the one they use at the hospitals so i know I have a great system on my furanace.
Good Luck everyone.
Kathy C.

I have purifiers in both of the kids rooms. Wash the sheets etc at least once a week, even if I don't get to mine. I have also found quite a big difference in their allergies since I started using the natural products. I'm just thrilled that I finally found a source that wasn't so darn expensive. It is amazing what they can sell to you over the counter these days. Thanks for the thread. Best Regards, Angie