- With Mayo Clinic asthma and allergy specialist
James T. Li, M.D.
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James T. Li, M.D.
James T. Li, M.D.
"People with allergy or asthma can lead full and healthy lives." — Dr. James Li
Dr. Li is chair of the Division of Allergic Diseases in the Department of Internal Medicine and a board-certified asthma and allergy specialist. He hopes his expertise and the information on the site educates health care consumers in an area of rapid change both in medications and diagnoses.
"There are a lot of misperceptions about allergy and asthma," says Dr. Li, a New York City native who has been with Mayo since 1985 and works with a group of subspecialists in allergy, asthma and immunology. "I believe it's important to provide truthful, accurate information about allergy and asthma to the public. The more people know, the better they can take care of these conditions."
Dr. Li is a professor of medicine at Mayo Clinic College of Medicine. He is a past director of the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology and is a director of the American Board of Allergy and Immunology. He is a fellow in the American College of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology and is a director of the American Board of Internal Medicine.
The American College of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology honored him with the Distinguished Service Award and the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology with its Special Recognition Award.
Risk factors (1)
- Infant swimming: Do indoor pools pose an asthma risk?
Symptoms (1)
- Wheezing in children: Could it be asthma?
Tests and diagnosis (1)
- Will my child outgrow asthma?
Treatments and drugs (1)
- Albuterol side effects in kids: What's normal?
Lifestyle and home remedies (1)
- Asthma triggers: Are hard flooring surfaces better than carpet?
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Question
Asthma triggers: Are hard flooring surfaces better than carpet?
My daughter has asthma, and we're trying to reduce her exposure to asthma triggers. Should we replace the carpeting in our home with vinyl or wood flooring?
Answer
from James T. Li, M.D.
Asthma treatment generally involves avoiding asthma triggers and taking one or more asthma medications. If your daughter has a sensitivity to dust mites, replacing carpeting with hard flooring surfaces — such as vinyl, tile or wood — may be a helpful part of her asthma treatment plan.
Carpeting can be a reservoir for dust, dust mites, and other potential allergy and asthma triggers. Hard flooring surfaces are much easier to keep free of dust and dust mites. For a person who has asthma, hard flooring surfaces in the bedroom — which eliminate continuous exposure to carpet dust throughout the night — might be particularly beneficial. Regularly steam cleaning any carpeting in the house can help reduce the presence of dust mites, as well.
Don't replace your carpeting immediately, however. First, make sure you've maximized your daughter's asthma treatment program. Then consult an allergist to determine whether your daughter has a sensitivity to dust mites or other specific allergens. Once it's clear what triggers your daughter's signs and symptoms, the allergist may offer specific suggestions — which could include replacing the carpeting in your home.
Next questionInfant swimming: Do indoor pools pose an asthma risk?
- Li JT (expert opinion). Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn. Oct. 1, 2008.
- Mangan JM, et al. Trigger control to enhance asthma management. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Oct. 1, 2008.
- Platts-Mills TA. Indoor allergen avoidance in the treatment of asthma and allergic rhinitis. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Oct. 1, 2008.
