Allergens such as dust mites, mold spores, pet dander and pollen may trigger asthma symptoms in some individuals. These may include wheezing and shortness of breath.
The immune system recognizes allergens as threats and produces antibodies to combat them, binding to and binding off of them and releasing chemicals that cause symptoms like runny nose and itchy eyes.
Treatment
Medication helps manage symptoms and avoid flare-ups. A healthcare professional may suggest allergy immunotherapy, which teaches your body how to tolerate allergens over time.
People living with allergic asthma may need to use quick-acting inhalers, called bronchodilators, which widen airways and make breathing easier. These medicines should be taken either on an ongoing basis or when an attack occurs.
Allergies can trigger both seasonal and year-round asthma symptoms. Allergens, substances that provoke an immune response in which chemicals produced can irritate and inflame airways, such as animal dander, dust mites, mold spores, pet fur or feathers as well as tree pollen, grass pollen, weed pollen and ragweed pollen are often culprits of inducing asthma symptoms.
Healthcare providers can administer lung function tests such as spirometry and allergy testing to identify someone’s allergies. Allergy testing may involve skin prick or blood tests to detect sensitivities to common allergens.
Allergy immunotherapy can reduce one’s dependence on inhaled steroids by decreasing inflammation and swelling in their airways. This treatment may take the form of allergy injections or sublingual tablets; treatment often lasts a number of years for people with severe allergic asthma; for them this combination therapy known as add-on therapy may also be needed.
Symptoms
Asthma attacks occur when symptoms suddenly worsen, with wheezing (a high-pitched sound during breathing) and chest tightness being among its key characteristics. Additional symptoms may include difficulty breathing, coughing and feeling blocked off from airways (chest tightness). An increase in these symptoms constitutes an asthma attack.
People suffering from allergic asthma typically have immune systems that are hypersensitive to normal, harmless substances known as allergens, which trigger chemical reactions that irritate and narrow their airways with thick mucus. Common allergens that trigger asthma attacks include mold spores, animal dander (skin flakes from furry or feathered animals), tree pollen, grass pollen, weed pollen and ragweed pollen; some foods may also trigger allergy-induced asthma attacks in susceptible individuals.
Environmental triggers like dust mites, cockroach allergens and volatile organic compounds from household cleaners as well as tobacco smoke are known to exacerbate allergic asthma in susceptible individuals. Stress has also been known to activate symptoms. Relaxation techniques and avoiding potential triggers may help decrease both frequency and severity of symptoms. Allergen immunotherapy, either via injections or tablets taken sublingually, may reduce a patient’s sensitivity to specific allergens and therefore their allergy-induced asthma symptoms. Furthermore, taking anti-inflammatory drugs like inhaled corticosteroids or bronchodilators can significantly improve symptoms as well as lung function.
Diagnosis
Healthcare providers use several tools to accurately diagnose this condition, including reviewing symptoms and medical history as well as listening for abnormal sounds when listening to someone breathe. An asthma attack causes airways to narrow and fill with mucus, making breathing harder than usual.
Allergic asthma results when an overreactive immune system reacts to allergens like dust mites, pollen, pet dander and mold in such quantities that inflammation ensues, narrowing airways and creating coughing, wheezing and shortness of breath symptoms.
Allergy testing can assist in pinpointing which substances are contributing to asthma in a person. Skin and blood tests can be utilized to assess whether antibodies have formed against certain allergens in order to help physicians decide whether an antihistamine or other form of medicine would be helpful in managing an individual’s symptoms.
Once a person has identified which allergens are contributing to their symptoms, it’s important to find ways to either avoid or limit exposure. For instance, hiring someone to cut the grass if pollen is an issue, or installing allergy-proof sheets and pillows in their bedroom if pet dander is an issue can all help keep things under control. Asthmatics should make regular appointments with healthcare providers in order to monitor their condition closely and control it as necessary.
Prevention
Though there is no cure for allergic asthma, it can still be effectively managed. To do this, avoid triggers that lead to symptoms and take medicines to control it – such as over-the-counter asthma control pills in pill or liquid form, quick relief medicines (bronchodilators), or allergy treatments given via immunotherapy injections.
Allergens can trigger asthma when inhaled, prompting an immune response that leads to airway inflammation and leading to mold growth, dust mites, pet dander or even cockroaches – with certain foods (particularly those containing sulfites ) also acting as triggers.
As well as avoiding known triggers, those living with allergic asthma should use daily preventer medicines. These medicines help reduce allergic inflammation through corticosteroid sprays, antihistamines, and decongestants; some forms may even provide immunotherapy through inhalers like nebulizers or injections – these preventer meds can even be taken by mouth!
Avoiding outdoor activities during peak pollen times and keeping food allergies in mind are also effective in managing allergic asthma symptoms, and should be included when creating an action plan to manage asthma effectively. Saline nose rinses may help reduce mucus production. A healthcare provider should help identify allergies and triggers to create an asthma action plan and avoid them whenever possible.
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