Allergic asthma symptoms are typically triggered by exposure to allergens like pet dander, mold spores, pollen or certain foods. When people with allergic asthma inhale such substances, their immune systems overreact and cause their airways to become inflamed and narrowed, leading to symptoms.
Medication can help control allergic asthma symptoms. This includes rescue inhalers that provide fast relief and medications that reduce inflammation to open airways more freely. Furthermore, allergy immunotherapy or allergy shots may be used over time to desensitize immune systems to allergies.
Symptoms
Allergic asthma can be caused by allergens like pollen, cockroaches, dust mites, mold spores, pet dander and certain foods. When exposed to allergens like these substances, their immune systems overreact and lead to inflammation and swelling (edema) of their airways causing narrowing that restricts oxygen from coming in and out, leading to symptoms like wheezing and shortness of breath.
An asthma attack is a severe episode in which muscles surrounding the airways tighten (bronchoconstriction), airways become swollen, and thick mucus builds up within the lungs causing difficulty breathing and exhaustion – potentially life-threatening conditions if left untreated.
Be sure to speak to your healthcare provider about how best to manage and prevent an asthma attack. They may recommend allergy immunotherapy, which reduces immune reactions to specific allergens through regular injections of them over time. Your physician may also suggest medications like rescue inhalers to open up airways quickly as well as antihistamines for mild allergy symptoms like itchy skin or watery eyes; or nasal sprays like oxymetazoline (Astepro) or fluticasone (Flonase), known as bronchodilators nasal sprays for quicker relief of congestion – commonly known as bronchodilators nasal sprays.
Diagnosis
Asthmatic asthma often presents itself with flare-ups (also known as attacks) that make breathing difficult, often when exposed to allergy triggers. A flare-up could appear anytime but usually strikes most frequently when people come into contact with allergy triggers; symptoms may include wheezing, persistent coughing and difficulty in breathing; also shortness of breath and wheezing are likely. In extreme cases, medical treatment should be sought immediately.
An allergic asthma diagnosis can be made by gathering personal and family histories, performing lung tests such as spirometry or fractional exhaled nitrous oxide testing, and conducting allergy testing using skin prick and blood (ELISA or RAST) tests. Allergy testing helps identify allergens such as pet dander, dust mites, mold or pollen that might be contributing to allergic reactions and also provides information on whether someone is predisposed towards developing allergies.
Maintain a symptom diary to record when symptoms worsen. This information can help doctors pinpoint an individual’s triggers and develop an effective management plan with medication, avoidance of triggers and following an adaptable treatment plan that accommodates for changing needs of their asthmatic. When choosing an asthma doctor it is also essential that they possess experience treating allergic asthma to ensure the appropriate inhalers and medications are being prescribed and utilized effectively.
Treatment
If you suffer from allergic asthma, there are various treatments available to you. The first step should be identifying allergens and reducing exposure. Medication such as short-acting beta agonists like albuterol or antihistamines may also help manage symptoms; decongestants and nasal steroid sprays or rinses are available to reduce inflammation. Longer-term control medications, including inhaled steroids or leukotriene modifiers taken regularly through inhalers or tablets may prevent flare-ups as well as long-term control medications can help keep symptoms under control – inhalers or tablets may help manage symptoms over time.
An allergist or pulmonologist can assist in diagnosing allergic asthma. They will ask about symptoms and your family history; lung testing (e.g. spirometry or fractional exhaled nitrous oxide), to measure how effectively your lungs are working; allergy tests such as skin prick or blood tests to help understand which allergens might trigger reactions;
Allergy asthma is a progressive chronic illness that can severely hinder daily activities and quality of life. Severe attacks may leave you exhausted, restrict your activity level and limit how you enjoy doing what you love to do – leading to anxiety and stress as your daily tasks become limited or nonexistent. Talk with your physician or visit an emergency room if symptoms don’t subside; otherwise contact them right away or visit their website for treatment plans that could improve quality of life.
Prevention
Avoiding allergens that aggravate asthma symptoms is key to managing its symptoms, and healthcare professionals can identify these triggers through questions and testing such as skin prick testing or bloodwork. A healthcare provider may identify pet dander allergies by asking questions and doing tests such as skin prick testing or bloodwork; for example if someone is sensitive to pet dander they should consider having pets removed from the home, keep house and car windows closed during peak pollen times, hire someone to cut grass as needed and wash sheets and pillowcases every week in order to eliminate dust mites; avoid cockroaches altogether as these insects contain feces and saliva which are known asthma triggers.
Other triggers for allergy-induced asthma can include cold air, cigarette smoke and exercise. Furthermore, it’s essential that vaccines and flu shots remain up-to-date; people living with asthma should collaborate with healthcare providers in developing an Asthma Action Plan which tells them when and what steps should be taken if their symptoms flare-up.
Individuals suffering from allergy-induced asthma should wear medical alert bracelets or necklaces in addition to avoiding allergens, as this will alert emergency services of their severe allergic reaction and require medical care. Furthermore, keeping a diary detailing symptoms and when they occur can help healthcare providers diagnose what’s triggering their allergies more accurately.
Comments are closed