If you have asthma, you need to know some key strategies for prevention of asthma symptoms. While there’s no asthma cure, there are steps you can take to reduce the chances of having the frightening asthma symptoms such as coughing, wheezing, and difficulty catching your breath.

Identify Triggers for Asthma Prevention

Certain asthma triggers can set off the cascade of asthma symptoms. These causes of asthma might include dust mites, air pollution, cold air, a cold virus, sinusitis and asthma, cigarette smoke, and fragrances, among others. It’s vital to learn to identify your triggers.

Keep track of your asthma symptoms for several weeks, detailing all the environmental and emotional factors that are associated with your asthma. When you have an asthma attack, go back to your asthma diary to see which factor, or combination of factors, might have contributed to it. Some common asthma triggers are not always obvious, such as molds and cockroaches. Ask your asthma doctor about allergy skin testing -- or RAST testing -- to determine to which allergens you have become sensitized. You can then take measures to minimize your exposure to those allergens.

If you have exercise-induced asthma or are planning vigorous exercise or exercise in cold, humid, or dry environments, prevent exercise-induced asthma by following your doctor's advice regarding asthma treatment (usually with an asthma inhaler containing the drug albuterol).

Take Steps for Asthma Prevention With Allergies

If you have allergies and asthma, it’s important to take asthma prevention steps at home. Asthma attacks (worsening of asthma symptoms) can be triggered by allergies, which can temporarily increase the inflammation of the airways in a susceptible person. Avoiding or minimizing contact with the substance you are allergic to will help prevent an asthma attack.

Smoke and asthma are a bad mix. Minimize exposure to all sources of smoke, including tobacco, incense, candles, fires, and fireworks. Do not allow smoking in your home or car, and avoid public places that permit smoking. If you smoke cigarettes, get help to quit successfully. Smoking always makes asthma worse.

In addition, avoid close contact with people who have a cold or the flu since your asthma symptoms may worsen if you catch the infection from them. Wash your hands thoroughly after touching items that may have been handled by others with a respiratory infection.

For more detail, see WebMD’s article Asthma Prevention When You Have Allergies.

Allergy-Proof Your Environment for Asthma Prevention

Whether you’re at home, work, or traveling, there are specific measures you can take to allergy-proof your environment and reduce the risk of having asthma. For example, avoid eating in restaurants that are smoky or allow cigarette smoking -- a known trigger of asthma. Call ahead when traveling and ask for a smoke-free hotel room. And bring your own bedding and pillows in case the hotel only supplies feather pillows and down comforters, which may harbor dust mites and cause asthma symptoms.

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