Allergic asthma is caused by inhaling allergens such as dust mites, pet dander and pollen; it is the most prevalent form of asthma.
Your physician can diagnose allergy-induced asthma by listening to your symptoms and performing a lung test known as spirometry. They may also conduct skin prick tests or blood analyses for allergies.
Symptoms
Allergens can trigger asthma by inflaming and swelling up the airways in the lungs, making breathing difficult; people suffering from allergic asthma may also experience wheezing, tightness in chest or coughing symptoms.
As opposed to other forms of asthma that can be brought on by physical exertion, cold air, gastroesophageal reflux disease or stress triggers, allergic asthma typically arises from exposure to environmental allergens like pollen, mold spores, dust mites, pet dander or certain foods that trigger an overreaction by their immune systems resulting in inflamed airways that need medical intervention in severe cases if blood oxygen levels drop significantly resulting in emergency medical attention being required for survival.
Healthcare professionals can diagnose allergic asthma by gathering information about its symptoms, such as what helps or worsens them, then conducting respiratory function tests to measure how the lungs are operating. Alternative tests such as skin prick tests may help. A healthcare professional administers this test by poking your skin with a needle containing allergen and then monitoring for signs of redness, swelling, itching or wheals (hives). People allergic to pollen, cockroaches, cats, dogs or food may benefit from carrying an inhaler/nebulizer in case an asthmatic episode strikes quickly.
Diagnosis
Allergic asthma results when the immune system overreacts to allergens such as pet dander, pollen and mold, leading to inflammation and swelling of airways resulting in difficulty breathing resulting in coughing, wheezing and shortness of breath symptoms.
Healthcare professionals typically begin diagnosing allergic asthma by asking their patient about symptoms and how they affect daily life, as well as performing lung function tests called spirometry to measure how efficiently the lungs operate and can help identify whether there are obstructions in their airways.
if spirometry reveals inflamed and narrowed airways, they will conduct allergy testing to identify any specific allergens. This typically takes the form of skin prick testing whereby doctors place small amounts of potential allergens onto an arm or back before checking the area for any red or discolored bumps that indicate a positive response from them.
Healthcare professionals will conduct a physical exam and gather family history in order to identify any allergies or asthma in the family, before conducting a physical examination themselves and offering recommendations regarding avoidance of triggers of asthma symptoms – this may include hiring someone to cut grass when pollen levels rise too high; using decongestant nasal sprays or stronger antihistamines; washing sheets frequently in case dander triggers are present; or hiring someone else to cut grass when lawn pollen levels do.
Treatment
There are treatments available that can reduce airway inflammation, prevent asthma attacks, and enhance quality of life. Consulting a board-certified allergist or asthma specialist provides advanced training and knowledge needed to identify substances triggering symptoms as well as create personalized plans for each individual patient.
Allergic asthma symptoms can be controlled with quick-acting medicines that open the airways quickly. These may be inhaled through an inhaler or taken orally; for fast relief try bronchodilators, which relax muscle in the airways to allow easier breathing; antihistamines which inhibit an enzyme which causes swelling and itching; or decongestants which reduce mucus production by thinnng lung fluid production.
Long-term control medicines typically consist of corticosteroids, which are an anti-inflammatory class of medicines taken orally through tablets or an inhaler or device such as a nebulizer.
People living with allergic asthma can take steps to limit exposure to allergens that trigger their symptoms by making lifestyle adjustments and altering habits, like regularly washing stuffed animals, bedding and curtains regularly and keeping the house tidy – this helps cut down on dust mites and other common allergens like mold. Some patients can benefit from immunotherapy – which involves slowly exposing themselves to allergens over a prolonged period to desensitize the immune system over time.
Prevention
Allergies are one of the primary causes of asthma in infants and young children whose immune systems haven’t fully matured yet. Other irritants may include second or third hand smoke, certain respiratory infections (such as bronchitis or respiratory syncytial virus) or chemical fumes which irritate airways, increasing one’s risk for asthma development further. If a person also has allergies and family history of either of them it increases further still.
Identification and avoidance of allergy triggers is the first step to managing asthma symptoms effectively. Common triggers include dust mites, mold, pets or animal dander, pollen from trees, grass and weeds as well as environmental phenols found in some cleaners as well as cockroaches.
People allergic to pet dander should find another home for their pet or limit contact with it, while those sensitive to mold spores should keep their home dry and clean by vacuuming with an HEPA filter vacuum cleaner, wearing face masks during cleaning tasks and using plastic covers on mattresses, pillows and bedding to prevent mold growth.
Noticing when asthma symptoms occur so a healthcare professional can reduce exposure to allergens is of utmost importance, in order to make appropriate steps against exposure if possible.
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