Allergens such as pollen, pet dander and mold can trigger symptoms in those suffering from allergic asthma. When these allergens come in contact with our immune systems they release chemicals called histamines and leukotrienes which narrow airways and produce mucus production.
Controlling allergies and working closely with healthcare professionals are vital to lowering the risk of severe asthma attacks, which include shortness of breath, wheezing or coughing that makes speech impossible.
Symptoms
Allergic asthma can be caused by allergens like pollen, dust mites, mold or pet dander that cause inflammation and constriction of airways, leading to symptoms like wheezing, coughing and shortness of breath. People suffering from allergic asthma typically have an overreactive immune system which overreacts against these substances resulting in inflammation and constriction of airways that results in symptoms like wheezing coughing shortness of breath wheezing coughing.
When an allergen enters our bodies, our immune systems recognize it as an invader and respond by producing chemicals like histamine to expel it from our bodies – this causes nasal passages, sinuses, airways and airways in our lungs to swell up with extra mucus production; additionally histamine may lead to itchy or watery eyes.
Airway inflammation and swelling makes it harder for oxygen to reach the lungs, leaving people feeling exhausted or fatigued. Symptoms can worsen at night or when exerting themselves; outdoor activity may exacerbate them further or when eating certain food like dairy products, fish eggs or peanuts may trigger them.
If the symptoms are severe, a person should seek emergency medical care immediately. A healthcare professional will discuss symptoms with them as well as conduct a physical exam and possibly use a skin test to determine which substances they’re allergic to; this involves poking skin with needles containing small quantities of suspected allergens while watching for any red or discolored bumps that indicate an allergic response.
Diagnosis
Consult a healthcare professional who specializes in allergies and asthma to conduct tests and assessments, interpret results and create an effective treatment plan.
People suffering from allergic asthma have an oversensitive immune system. When allergens such as pet dander, tree pollen or mold spores enter their bodies they trigger an immune response which tightens and inflames airways, leading to wheezing, coughing and shortness of breath symptoms.
Allergens are typically harmless substances that when introduced into the body can trigger a reaction in which antibodies bind with them and release chemicals which lead to symptoms like runny nose, itchy eyes or skin, runny nose or itchy skin rashes, etc. When taken in by people suffering from allergic asthma, an inflammatory response triggers airway narrowing and extra mucus production – further complicating breathing difficulties.
Healthcare professionals can diagnose allergic asthma by gathering information about its medical history and asking patients about their symptoms. Additional tests such as chest x-ray, lung function testing and allergy skin prick testing may also be performed to identify any possible allergies contributing to symptoms. They might even test saliva and mucus produced from coughed up coughing fits for eosinophils; which are type of white blood cell found in coughed up sputum samples that might indicate this disorder.
Treatment
When people with allergic asthma breathe something they’re sensitive to, their immune system responds in kind, sending cells into their lungs in order to combat off any allergens – leading to airways narrowing and mucus production – leading to classic signs such as runny nose, itchy eyes and sneezing.
Allergens can be found anywhere, and may be inhaled, eaten or touched to cause symptoms of allergic reactions. They include animal fur and dander, mold spores, dust mites, mold mites, dust mites, mold mites, dust mites, cockroaches, tree pollen, grass pollen and weeds as common outdoor and indoor allergens.
Treating allergic asthma includes quick-relief medications, long-term maintenance medicines and immunotherapy (allergen desensitization). Your doctor can conduct allergy skin and blood tests and discuss symptoms before creating an asthma action plan together – including what steps to take should they flare up again.
Quick-relief medications include bronchodilators and steroids, both of which help open up airways while simultaneously decreasing inflammation. You may take these as tablets or inhale through an inhaler device known as Fluticasone (Flonase), Budesonide (Pulmicort Flexhaler) or mometasone (Asmanex). Your doctor may also suggest or prescribe inhaled mast cell stabilizers like Cromolyn to reduce inflammation; and long-acting muscarinic antagonists like Tiotropium Bromide (Spiriva Respimat), which prevent muscles of airways tightening down.
Prevention
Though there is no known cure for asthma, steps can be taken to reduce its frequency and severity of allergic reactions and attacks. The first step should be identifying what triggers your symptoms before trying to avoid them; commonly used allergens include animal dander (skin flakes), pollen from trees, grasses and flowers as well as mold spores; food allergens like peanuts, tree nuts, milk, eggs fish or shellfish can also lead to asthma symptoms in some individuals.
Non-allergic triggers of asthma may include cold air, exercise, viral infections such as respiratory syncytial virus infection and second or third hand smoke exposure. Other common triggers of asthma may include chemical fumes, air pollution and certain occupational hazards – although their underlying cause remains unknown, genetics and environmental factors likely play a key role.
Allergy testing can help identify which allergens are aggravating or worsening your symptoms, so your doctor can create a personalized asthma action plan tailored specifically for you to manage these allergies more effectively and avoid further exposure. Your action plan should provide instructions for using long-acting control medications as well as when to take quick relief medications in the case of an asthma attack. Furthermore, follow-up appointments will monitor progress and alter any necessary adjustments to the plan.
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