Asthma and the cockroach connection

You might be aware of some of the typical triggers for children’s asthma cigarette smoke, allergens such as pollen or pet dander, and even the common cold. But you may not be aware of another common culprit the cockroach.

You might be aware of some of the typical triggers for children’s asthma cigarette smoke, allergens such as pollen or pet dander, and even the common cold. But you may not be aware of another common culprit the cockroach.The connectionEvidence indicates that children who are hypersensitive to cockroach allergens and whose homes contain high levels of those allergens are much more likely than other children to be hospitalized for asthma-related illness, make unscheduled visits to the doctor, miss school, have bouts of severe wheezing or experience sleep disturbances. One study indicates that these children are about three times more likely to be hospitalized each year than are children who are allergic to dust-mite or cat allergens. And they’re about twice as likely to need an unscheduled visit to the doctor for asthma each year. To put this in context, John Yunginger, M.D., a pediatric allergist, explains that asthma occurs when specific hereditary factors coincide with certain environmental factors. “Some people inherit a tendency to develop allergies,” Dr. Yunginger says. “Whether that predisposition is expressed as full-blown allergies or asthma or both depends on the extent of their exposure to allergens.” Allergens are the protein triggers in various substances such as cockroach body parts and droppings that cause asthma and allergic reactions. You must be exposed to an allergen over a period of time before your body starts to recognize it as an intruder. In an overblown and sometimes dangerous attempt to repel the invader, your immune system responds by making allergy-causing (immunoglobulin E, or IgE) antibodies. These antibodies can subsequently react with allergens to trigger an asthma attack or allergic reaction. “Allergies and many cases of asthma are a reflection of your environment, of what you come in contact with over and over,” Dr. Yunginger says. Children in inner cities may have significant exposure to cockroaches, he says, so cockroaches then become a major trigger for asthma. But don’t draw too strong a connection between cockroach-induced asthma and inner city urban areas, Dr. Yunginger says. “It’s also a matter of geography. In parts of the southern United States, along the Gulf Coast and in Florida, cockroaches lose their association with inner cities you might find cockroaches in anyone’s home.”Combating the problem”It’s not as simple as just doing a better job of housekeeping,” Dr. Yunginger says. Cockroaches are very mobile and may be found throughout your house or apartment building and will quickly return to an area from which they’ve been exterminated. To help control cockroaches indoors:Clean up food. Keep food and garbage stored in tight containers. Wash dishes and remove garbage daily. Clean up crumbs and spills promptly. Clean floors. Vacuum and wet vacuum your home frequently to remove food crumbs and cockroach eggs.Exterminate. Use roach traps and safe pesticides. Professional extermination also may be necessary.Maintain sinks, tubs and appliances. Repair damaged faucets, drains and appliances. Fix cracks in them. Don’t let water set for long periods of time.(Source: Mayoclinic)