The outbreak of novel coronavirus pneumonia (COVID-19) means that the daily use of disinfectant has become a necessity for ordinary people. But is it suitable for everyone, including asthma patients? 

Dr. Wang Zhuo of Shanghai Changhai Hospital said in an interview with Xinhua News that even though regular ventilation and disinfection have become routine, "using disinfectants liberally may be a trigger for asthma."

"Normally disinfectants can be divided into nine types according to their components, including oxidizing disinfectants, peroxide disinfectants, aldehyde disinfectants and iodine. Most of these have a pungent smell," Wang said. 

When the concentration of ethanol arrives at a high point, the air can easily irritate the mucous membrane and trigger an asthma attack. 

Two main factors may be at play: the host factor (genetic) and environmental factors. A patient's hypersensitivity to certain allergens in the environment could lead to an acute attack of asthma. 

Given this, Dr. Wang provided some guidance on how to use disinfectants; follow the instructions for use, do not spray directly at people, and if an asthma sufferer is particularly sensitive to one disinfectant, switch to another. 

"Allergy is a common cause of asthma," Yan Yu, a senior pharmacist at West China School of Medicine, said in an interview with Xinhua News. "Commonly used disinfectants could make people allergic so patients need to be careful when using them." 

Yan also mentioned that patients with asthma should find out about their allergens and take preventive measures. The allergens could be dust mites, oil, fungi, cats and dogs.  

It's safer to reduce the frequency than to go to hospitals during the outbreak, which means it important to have good protection and use disinfectants properly. 

Read more: Answer Bank: Pathologically, how is COVID-19 different from SARS?