Allergic asthma can be made worse by inhaling allergens like dust mites, pet dander, mold spores, tree pollen, grass pollen and weed pollen. Air pollution, tobacco smoke or fire smoke, strong odors or exercise may also irritate and trigger symptoms of allergic asthma.
Allergy asthma symptoms are manageable and can be effectively prevented with medications, including rescue inhalers and avoidance of triggers as well as regular check-in appointments with your physician.
Symptoms
An allergic asthmatic’s immune system overreacts to allergens like dust mites, pollen, pet dander and mold and triggers inflammation and swelling of airways, leading to coughing, wheezing and shortness of breath. This form differs from non-allergic exercise-induced asthmatic attacks which are triggered by cold air, physical activity, respiratory infections and even tobacco smoke irritants – such as cold air exposure or physical exertion.
People suffering from allergy-induced asthma see their immune systems respond to allergens by producing antibodies called IgE that release chemicals such as histamine to cause airway inflammation and narrowing, ultimately filling with thick mucus that makes breathing difficult – an indicator of an asthma attack and potentially life threatening without prompt treatment.
Healthcare professionals do not know exactly what causes allergic asthma; however, they do know it tends to run in families and that those with allergies or atopic dermatitis (rashes on the skin) in their family history are more likely to develop it themselves.
Allergens trigger allergic asthma by entering through the nose or mouth and stimulating immune system cells to produce antibodies, leading to symptoms like nasal stuffiness. They can be found both indoors and outdoors – common allergens include animal dander – the fur or skin flakes from pets; tree pollen; pollen from grasses, weeds and ragweed; dust mite allergens and cockroach allergens among many more.
Diagnosis
Inhaling allergens can irritate and constrict airways, leading to wheezing, chest tightness, coughing, shortness of breath and shortness of breath – known as an asthma attack or episode. If severe allergies persist they could even result in low oxygen levels in blood (hypoxemia) which could prove life-threatening.
Healthcare professionals diagnose allergic asthma by speaking to the person about their symptoms and conducting a physical exam, inquiring into any family histories related to allergies or asthma, conducting breathing tests or skin testing in order to ascertain which substances the individual is sensitive to.
Skin tests known as prick or patch tests involve poking the skin with needles containing different allergens to test for allergic reactions. A doctor then looks out for signs such as hive-like bumps on your skin to indicate any allergic reaction, while they also may do blood testing to measure IgE antibodies that are activated by allergens and cause symptoms like runny nose and itchy eyes.
Provocation tests can also be an effective way of diagnosing allergic asthma, and involve taking samples from the patient’s air and inhaling it to see how their lungs react. Unfortunately, such tests cannot provide definitive answers and must only be conducted under the direction of a board-certified allergist or asthma specialist.
Treatment
Medication and lifestyle modifications can help people manage allergy-induced asthma and lead normal lives. Individuals should meet regularly with their healthcare provider and record symptoms, so their physician can identify which allergens trigger asthma so that these can be eliminated or limited – this may involve hiring someone to cut the grass if pollen is an issue or avoiding places with many pets if pet dander is an issue.
Allergens can cause the immune system to overreact and release chemicals that narrow airways and cause inflammation – including histamines, leukotrienes and cytokines – which narrow respiratory passageways and cause chronic swelling that over time leads to remodelling of airways.
Avoiding allergens, medication and immunotherapy are among the many treatments available for allergic asthma, along with antihistamines to open airways and steroids to reduce swelling in the lungs. Antihistamines like Azelastine nasal spray (Astepro) or Cetirizine pills may be beneficial in decreasing allergy symptoms like watery eyes or runny nose.
Allergy shots, or immunotherapy, work to gradually build tolerance to allergens through exposure. Meanwhile, medications like Xolair work by blocking signals from your immune system that lead to allergic asthma attacks and could prevent further problems from developing.
Prevention
Avoiding allergens is the cornerstone of effective allergic asthma prevention. Healthcare professionals will help individuals to identify their specific triggers and devise plans to avoid them, such as having someone cut the grass if pollen is an issue or washing bedding weekly in hot water to eliminate dust mites. Other triggers may include exercise, viral respiratory infections, air pollutants or stress; severe reactions including anaphylaxis can require immediate medical care.
Healthcare professionals may prescribe medications to treat symptoms and prevent asthma attacks, including inhalers or oral corticosteroids. They might also suggest allergy immunotherapy – which involves gradually exposing an individual to increasing doses of allergens in order to lower his/her immune response – over time to reduce an allergic response in their bodies.
Healthcare professionals provide services to individuals to assist them in creating an Asthma Action Plan – a written plan designed to manage and identify triggers of their asthma condition. Healthcare providers will advise people wearing medical alert bracelets or necklaces to inform others that the individual has severe allergies that could go into anaphylaxis, and also advise environmental control measures like eliminating carpets, using HEPA vacuum cleaners and keeping humidity levels down in their home, as well as avoidance of secondhand smoke and animals that may act as triggers.
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