To keep their numbers down, follow these basic tips. Clean often with a damp mop or cloth. Wash your bedding in water that is at least 130 F. Encase pillows and mattresses in airtight covers that keep dust mites out. Use window shades or blinds instead of curtains. While you ll never be able to completely get rid of the dust mites, these practices can help keep them under control and may rescue you from an attack of asthma.
Many medications can help treat asthma.
The key approach to treatment of persistent asthma is the use of anti-inflammatory agents, especially cortico steroids. But these medications have many possible side effects, says Michael S. Stulbarg, M.D., professor of clinical medicine and director of the clinical pulmonary center at the University of California, San Francisco. For some people, the medications may speed up the onset of osteoporosis bone loss and also glaucoma. These medications do not have significant side effects and may be used over the long term to manage asthma. But they are not useful to stop an asthma attack.