Allergic asthma is typically triggered by allergens like dust mites, pollen, pet dander or mold which cause your immune system to overreact and produce mucus from swelling of airways and increased mucus production.
Allergies and asthma often co-occur, and the allergens responsible for hay fever – such as runny nose, itchy eyes and sneezing — also trigger asthma symptoms.
Symptoms
An individual suffering from allergic asthma often has hypersensitive airways that become overstimulated when exposed to stimuli such as dust mites, pet dander and mold spores. Their immune systems then react by tightening muscles around their airways which narrow them and produce excess mucus – this results in shortness of breath, wheezing and coughing symptoms as well.
An asthma attack or episode occurs when symptoms start appearing suddenly and can range from mild to severe, in which severe cases require emergency medical assistance to help them breathe easier.
Asthma is often caused by allergies. An allergen will provoke an exaggerated immune reaction that leads to airway narrowing and overproduction of mucus; additionally, inflammation increases blood flow to the lungs which further complicates breathing.
When exposed to allergens such as dust mites, pet dander or pollen, our immune systems react aggressively and release antibodies as part of an overreaction response. These chemicals known as inflammatory mediators cause blood vessels to dilate while increasing airway wall permeability causing airway walls to swell up further.
Common allergy and asthma symptoms for teenagers include fatigue, excess mucus production, difficulty sleeping and exacerbations (flare-ups). Medication use and hospital visits may interfere with their life causing embarrassment, self-consciousness, isolation and frustration in adolescents.
Diagnosis
Allergies can exacerbate asthma symptoms, including wheezing and difficulty breathing, in people who suffer from allergic asthma. Their airways react negatively to specific allergens like pet dander or mold. Furthermore, those living with allergic asthma may be more prone to having atopic conditions like eczema and hay fever than others. A healthcare professional can diagnose allergy-induced asthma through asking about symptoms, family history and physical examination and lung tests.
A doctor will use a stethoscope to listen for wheezing, which produces high-pitched and harsh sounds when you breathe, before asking you about when and what triggers symptoms such as wheezing. They’ll want to know about any family allergies or respiratory conditions such as atopic dermatitis (eczema) or hay fever in addition to any health issues.
An allergen-specific IgE (also called specific IgE test) blood test can help your healthcare professional identify what allergens you’re sensitive to and create an allergy treatment plan to manage asthma symptoms. Treatment might include rescue inhalers that quickly open airways as well as medications that control inflammation such as oral or inhaled corticosteroids; other antihistamines and nasal sprays might also be included in an allergy treatment plan, and immunotherapy which trains your body over time to tolerate allergens more readily.
Treatment
Treating allergic asthma involves avoiding allergens, taking medication as directed and receiving regular medical care. Monitoring airflow with a peak flow meter and developing an emergency action plan are also vital steps in managing symptoms effectively. Quick relief medicines known as bronchodilators or preventive long-term control medications designed to reduce inflammation may provide temporary relief while long-term control medicines work towards controlling symptoms and reducing inflammation are the two primary treatments available for emergency attacks or severe attacks.
Allergy shots (subcutaneous immunotherapy) are an effective form of allergy therapy which gradually builds tolerance to allergens over time. Given in a doctor’s office and administered once or twice weekly for at least 6-12 months, allergen extract will gradually be increased over time to build immunity against it. This treatment works well against allergies to cats, dogs, dust mites, mold, hay fever and seasonal allergies; it doesn’t work against food allergies, bee stings/stinging insects/hives/eczema though.
Nasal corticosteroids such as fluticasone propionate (Flovent HFA, Flovent Diskus and Xhance), budesonide (Pulmicort Flexhaler, Pulmicort Respules and Rhinocort), ciclesonide (Asmanex HFA and Asmanex Twisthaler) and beclomethasone (Qvar Redihaler) help reduce inflammation in the airways. Antihistamines block histamine release which triggers swelling and itching; these medications come as tablets, liquids or nasal sprays for treatment of symptoms such as sneezing, runny nose, runny nose runny nose runny nose runny nose runny nose itchy eyes or even hives. Mast cell stabilizers like Cromolyn can prevent your body from producing histamine which causes airway irritation.
Prevention
At times of allergic asthma, airways become inflamed and narrower, making them more sensitive than usual to allergens, leading to breathing issues like wheezing and shortness of breath. To protect oneself against this form of allergy-based asthma, avoid exposure to any known triggers.
Some individuals may benefit from allergy immunotherapy, a treatment which trains their body to tolerate allergens gradually over time. Your allergist will prescribe medicines that will address your symptoms effectively as needed – inhalers and oral medication are commonly recommended; alternatively they may suggest avoiding known allergens like dust mites and pet dander, installing an air purifier at home, regularly washing stuffed animals and staying indoors during peak pollen times to protect themselves.
Asthma can be difficult to pinpoint. To help identify its triggers, keep a diary of when your symptoms occur and what seems to make them better or worse, then share that with your healthcare provider to identify patterns. For instance, if they flare up outdoors during spring and fall pollen releases from trees, grass, ragweed or pollen-releasing flowers like trees, grass or ragweed that release pollen at those times, wearing a mask while outdoors and washing after returning indoors especially after windy conditions have passed can reduce exposure. Additionally, influenza vaccination and pneumonia vaccination should also help safeguard against serious asthma attacks caused by bacteria infections which can sometimes trigger severe asthmatic attacks in severe cases.
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