| One particularly undesirable but common asthma | | | | Skin allergy testing is necessary to confirm an allergy |
| trigger is cockroaches and may be found in the very | | | | to cockroaches. Getting rid of cockroaches is not |
| cleanest of homes. About 20-60% of asthmatics are | | | | always easy and is best handled by professional pest |
| allergic to cockroaches. Exposure to cockroach | | | | exterminators. They generally are found in kitchens, |
| antigen may cause coughing, nasal discharge, rashes, | | | | bathrooms and basements where there is food and |
| and wheezing in susceptible individuals. This could be | | | | water as well as hiding places. It is essential to keep |
| one of the most important factors that have led to | | | | the trash covered and emptied frequently and avoid |
| the marked increase in asthma, particularly in large | | | | leaving food on counters. Food on counters and in |
| cities. Children may be more likely to play indoors in | | | | cabinets should be stored in airtight containers. Wash |
| crowded cities due to safety issues, which could | | | | and put away dishes as soon as possible. Repair any |
| explain why asthma prevalence has particularly | | | | sources of moisture leaks, particularly under sinks and |
| increased in children. | | | | around pipes in basements. Use poison baits, boric |
| Cockroach allergen is found in the proteins of their | | | | acid and traps in prevalent areas in the home for |
| saliva, body and droppings. Cockroaches are found in | | | | continuing control, although avoid using these in |
| all climates and environments, although they are most | | | | homes with pets and young children. If sprays must |
| commonly found in warmer, more humid areas. They | | | | be used, people with asthma should be kept out until |
| are prevalent particularly in crowded urban areas and | | | | the area is thoroughly aired out. |
| older homes. It is estimated that 78-98% of homes | | | | If antihistamines, anti-inflammatory and |
| have cockroaches. The average home may have | | | | bronchodilators are not helpful in reducing allergy and |
| between 800-300,000 cockroaches at any given | | | | asthma symptoms, allergy desensitization injections |
| time. | | | | may be necessary. |