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Posted on: 12 September 2016

Your child may have been really active at one point, but now the same child looks winded and exhausted when he or she tries to climb a tree or plays his or her favorite sport. Parents often see asthma as an inevitable part of life, but there may actually be an underlying cause. Once this cause is treated, your child might be able to live asthma-free. The frequent use of household cleaning products has been proven to be a contributing factor in the development of asthma.

Volatile Organic Compounds

Many store-bought cleaning chemicals are harmful to the environment because they release volatile organic compounds (VOCs). VOCs are chemicals that are released by cleaning supplies. In addition to causing respiratory problems, they can cause headaches and allergic reactions. The products in particular you will need to watch out for include:

• Chlorine bleach
• Aerosol spray products
• Rug and upholstery cleaners
• Oven cleaners
• Dry cleaning products
• Detergents
• Dish washing liquids

Of particular note is bleach. This product should never be mixed with a product that contains ammonia because the gases that would be released can cause respiratory problems and even death. Checking labels can give you a sense of whether a product contains VOCs, but not all products are accurate in labeling the chemicals contained within.

Cleaning Alternatives

Completely eliminating cleaning chemicals is not a feasible solution because the regular cleaning of your home can cut down on allergens that may also be contributing to your child's asthma. The great news is that household cleaning chemicals are often not necessary. Vinegar and water can often be used in the place of store-bought cleaning chemicals and are just as effective, while not having a negative impact on the environment. If you must use harsher cleaning chemicals, try to use them on a day when your child is not at home and keep the windows open to allow for the cleaning chemical VOCs to vent outside.  Also, simply using smaller quantities of a cleaning product will reduce the number of VOCs that are released into your home.

Respiratory Therapy

If you are not sure whether your household cleaning chemicals or something else are the cause of your child's asthma, it is a good idea to take a trip to a respiratory therapist. Your child may need to be prescribed a medication, but it is also possible that your child's asthma can be resolved by removing household cleaning chemicals. Contact a company like Corner Home Medical for more info.