Allergic Asthma

Allergens such as pet dander, mold spores and pollen from trees, grasses, weeds or ragweed may aggravate asthma in certain people. A healthcare professional can assist in identifying allergens which trigger asthma in order to minimize or avoid their exposure.

Treatment includes medications like rescue inhalers to quickly open airways and steroids to decrease inflammation and swelling in the lungs. Allergy shots (immunotherapy) may also be an option for some.

Symptoms

Allergies cause episodes of breathing difficulty known as asthma attacks, when allergens come in contact with your body and trigger an overreaction of the immune system resulting in tightened, inflamed airways which produce mucus production causing wheezing, shortness of breath or chest tightness symptoms to manifest themselves.

Pollen, dust mites, animal dander and mold spores can trigger asthmatic attacks; however, not everyone with allergies has asthma. Other irritants can make allergic rhinitis and asthma symptoms worse such as viral respiratory infections, physical activity or smoke exposure – these may not trigger attacks but could increase their intensity if an asthma attack does occur.

Chronic inflammation and remodeling of the airways in patients suffering from allergic rhinitis and asthma result in narrowing of airway diameter, restricting oxygen flow and making breathing difficult. This process is caused by inflammatory mediators like leukotrienes that promote bronchoconstriction and the secretion of mucus.

Antihistamines can help alleviate your allergy symptoms. In addition, an allergist may suggest immunotherapy treatments which aim to lessen sensitivity towards allergens causing your discomfort through injections or sublingual tablets that dissolve under your tongue.

Diagnosis

To diagnose allergic asthma, your physician will ask about your symptoms and family history of asthma before conducting a physical exam and ordering lung tests such as spirometry and fractional exhaled nitric oxide (FeNO) to measure lung functioning. They may also order blood tests to check levels of white blood cell called eosinophils – often found among people suffering from allergy related asthma; or check IgE antibodies which tend to rise with allergic conditions and asthma.

Allergens can be found anywhere from pet dander and mold spores in your home to tree pollen, grass pollen and weed pollen outdoors – not forgetting dust mites and mold! Common sources of irritation can include air pollution, cleaning products or tobacco smoke.

Skin prick tests or blood tests can help your doctor identify allergens that could trigger asthma symptoms. The test involves applying small amounts of allergen to your forearm and then poking the area with a device to measure skin reaction, looking out for red or discolored hives or swelling that are signs of an allergy; should the results of either test be positive, they will work with you to avoid allergens that have caused reactions and prescribe medication as necessary to manage them when symptoms do surface.

Treatment

Asthma cannot be cured, but medicines can control symptoms and prevent airway irritation. Eliminating allergens may also provide some relief, while anticholinergics and long-acting corticosteroids (inhaled or oral) may reduce inflammation over time. Biologics provide additional treatments, targeting cells responsible for airway swelling; typically administered via injection or infusion and used alongside traditional medicines.

Antihistamines such as Claritin (Claritin), Fexofenadine (Allegra) and Desloratadine (Clarinex) can provide temporary relief of allergic symptoms like itchy eyes and runny nose, with cromolyn (prednisolone) helping reduce swelling in nasal passages while mast cell stabilizers prevent your body from producing too much histamine – all available as tablets or nasal sprays.

Avoiding allergens can help protect against allergy-induced asthma, but this may not always be feasible, particularly for people who have occupational asthma. Other irritants, like cold air or cigarette smoke, can aggravate allergic asthma symptoms and hay fever worsening medications to work effectively. Washing hands frequently, avoiding scented cleaners and using a neti pot/syringe daily for sinus rinse can help alleviate both conditions simultaneously. Many individuals suffering from allergic asthma also suffer from hay fever or allergic rhinitis requiring treatment in order to improve both conditions simultaneously.

Prevention

People living with asthma can experience an attack when exposed to allergenic substances that trigger an immune response in their bodies, leading to inflammation and narrowing of airways resulting in difficult breathing accompanied by symptoms like coughing, wheezing and shortness of breath. Allergens include dust mites, pet dander (dried skin flakes), molds, pests like cockroaches and rodents as well as tobacco smoke, strong chemicals perfumes or odors and certain foods like dairy products nuts soya wheat and sulfites among others.

Once a specific allergy is identified, individuals can collaborate with healthcare providers to develop an asthma treatment plan that includes taking daily preventer medication as well as creating an action plan to assist in managing symptoms during an outbreak.

Reducing exposure to allergens is also vital, such as using allergy-proof bedding, avoiding secondhand smoke exposure, keeping an animal-free environment, removing rugs from bedrooms and staying indoors during high pollen or grass seasons. Healthcare providers may recommend an over-the-counter allergy medicine or prescription medication that may help control asthma; allergy immunotherapy provides another method that trains the body to become less sensitive over time; this process may use injections or oral tablets and is often the best long-term management approach for allergic asthmatics.

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