I should also mention that apart from animals, aerosols can trigger a smaller discomfort, and certain cleaning agents, glass cleaners for example. Smoking ANYTHING is an absolute no no for me. I live in Montreal and air pollution is not excessive but like in all cities it’s there.

@cjfutrell @willows The Healthline article Amanda posted covers a lot of reasons for chest pain in addition to asthma, some serious. Sometimes patients can figure things out, but you can easily miss a serious issue with the same symptoms, so please discuss with your doctor if you have not done so already. Since we are in a pandemic, it may be worth it to test for Covid because of the respiratory symptoms. Having asthma is a risk if you get Covid.

That being said, I do have allergies and asthma and sometimes have chest pain so here are some things I have learned. For me chest pain is an indication that my allergies may not be controlled. I do allergy shots, and use HEPA air filters inside the home with air conditioning and vacuum cleaners have filtration so it doesn't just redistribute dust into the air. If I get trapped phlegm that causes chest discomfort, that can easily turn into a respiratory infection and require antibiotics. I also have a physical issue that causes chest pain, thoracic outlet syndrome, and that creates tightness in my chest that is greater on one side so that side doesn't expand as much on inhalation, and that is always where a chest infection will start because phlegm is retained. I know that I am in trouble if when I get up to walk around, my heart races a bit. Then I get out my Mupiroicin antibiotic ointment and use some in each nostril at night for several days. This is something I did prior to having a surgery at Mayo to prevent a staff infection after surgery. It worked for my re-occuring respiratory infections and my doctor gave me a prescription for it to use as needed.

I have to stay current with allergy shots about every 4 days and do stretching for tight muscles around my chest and diaphragm. I am allergic to my cats and do allergy shots for that which works well enough. Keeping everything vaccumed goes a long way to preventing issues as well as encasing the pillows and mattress with protection for dust mites, and changing and washing bedding often. I do nasal saline rinses for my sinuses because that is usually where an infection starts before it moves down into my lungs. Cough drops and Vicks Vapo rub helps to open airways because the menthol vapors relax the airways allowing the phlegm to move more easily. Food allergies can also factor into excess phlegm production and I have those too, so I avoid foods that cause me trouble. Movement and walking help clear the chest, and you can always use the breathing exercise device that hospitals give to patients after surgery to get the lungs inflated to keep the mucous moving. Taking Mucinex (or generic) thins the mucous making it easier to expel. Put on clean clothes every day to avoid an allergens that may have accumulated on clothing while outside or around animals or dust. You can always shower before bed to clean allergens off your body or hair before you sleep. Another thing to check is are you allergic to your pillow; does it have feathers?