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Asthma triggers
Overview
It is important to know what things make your asthma worse. These are called asthma triggers. Avoiding them is your first step toward controlling your asthma and feeling better. The most common asthma triggers are respiratory tract infections caused by viruses such as the flu, common cold, other viruses and bacteria. Other triggers are cold and dry air, mold, pets, dust, grasses, pollen, cockroaches, odors from chemicals, smoke from cigarettes, and vigorous exercise.
Review Date 1/14/2026
Updated by: Linda J. Vorvick, MD, Clinical Professor Emeritus, Department of Family Medicine, UW Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA. Also reviewed by David C. Dugdale, MD, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.
