9 Asthma Triggers That May Be Lurking in Your Child’s Backpack (and How to Avoid Them)

Any time a child develops asthma symptoms, it’s worth looking at what they ate, touched, or did just before and keeping track of recurring symptoms after another exposure, says Allen J. Dozor, MD, a pediatric pulmonologist and professor of pediatrics at New York Medical College. “The first time could be a coincidence, the second time raises suspicion, and the third time a child develops symptoms of asthma exposed to the same trigger, it’s probably the culprit,” says Dr. Dozor.

1. Dust Mites

“[Dust mites] are in everything from stuffed animals to pillows to mattresses,” says Ceila Loughlin, MD, a pediatric pulmonologist at UNC Health and professor of pediatrics at the UNC School of Medicine in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. “It is not just the dust you see on your shelves or window blinds.”

To minimize dust in or on your child’s backpack, wash it (and anything you put in it) frequently, says Dozor, who also recommends avoiding backpacks with lots of decorative fabric elements, as they can make it easy for dust mites to stick around. “[Instead,] choose an asthma-friendly backpack made from smooth, nonporous materials that are easy to wipe down and don’t trap dust and allergens.”

2. Pet Hair

3. Cockroaches

4. Strong Scents

Dozor also recommends against packing strong-smelling items like scented markers, crayons, or glue for school. Even some hand sanitizers can smell too strong, says Loughlin, who suggests using unscented options instead.

5. Pollen and Mold

You can reduce pollen and mold on your child’s backpack through frequent cleaning. “Regularly empty all contents, shake it out to remove loose dirt and crumbs, wipe the inside and outside with a damp cloth and a mild, fragrance-free soap,” says Dozor. “Allow it to air-dry completely to prevent mold and mildew.”

Dozor also recommends keeping a clean T-shirt or jacket in a sealed plastic bag in your child’s backpack. “This can be helpful if your child gets wet or their clothes are exposed to a trigger like pollen during outdoor play,” he says.

6. Dried Fruit

For children with a food allergy and asthma, it’s extremely important that they avoid exposure to the foods they are allergic to, says Loughlin. “Sometimes these sneak into backpacks from well-meaning friends or [are hidden] in the ingredients of a snack.” To protect against these triggers, teach your child from an early age to read ingredient labels, and empower them to avoid foods they are allergic to, Loughlin adds.

Dozor agrees and suggests packing your child’s lunch and snacks in a sealed container to avoid cross-contamination from any food allergens.

7. Processed Lunch Foods

8. Over-the-Counter Medications

9. Stressful (or Heavy) Schoolwork

The Takeaway

• Asthma triggers like dust mites, pet hair, pollen, mold, and insect droppings are everywhere, and some may gather in or on your child’s backpack.
• Lunches and snacks in your child’s backpack can also trigger symptoms, as can the weight of the bag itself.
• You can lessen asthma triggers on a backpack through frequent washing, keeping it free of strong scents, and speaking to your child’s healthcare provider if symptoms persist.