Health professionals believe that allergens in the air we breathe both cause asthma and trigger the condition. When you have asthma, your airways are already a little inflamed. Certain external factors, or ‘triggers’, are likely to further irritate your lungs and make these symptoms worse. These can include second-hand cigarette smoke and allergens such as dust mites, damp, mold, pollen, and pet hair⁸.

If your home is too humid, it could be a breeding ground for potential asthma triggers and allergens. Dust mites are more likely to thrive when the humidity in your home exceeds 50%¹⁰. These microscopic bugs like to live in soft furnishings. carpets, and bedding, causing allergic reactions¹¹. 

Mold and mildew also flourish in high humidity. If you breathe in the spores, they can trigger asthma, whether you’re allergic to these substances or not¹². Additionally, when the air is warm and humid, many people feel that breathing becomes harder work, so these conditions can cause them to breathe faster, which risks making symptoms worse¹³.       

High levels of carbon dioxide (CO₂)  have been linked to asthma, for similar reasons to humidity. This greenhouse gas contributes to the proliferation of pollen and spores, both of which trigger the condition. CO₂ fumes from engines, heaters, and other outlets may also irritate asthmatic lungs, making them more sensitive¹⁴.

People who have allergic rhinitis (hay fever) are at increased risk of developing asthma as the upper airway affects the lower part of the airway leading to the lungs. 

Without a doubt, air quality in your home can have a big impact on your health. Find out how to improve indoor air quality to help control asthma here →