Allergic Asthma Symptoms, Treatments, Allergy Triggers, and More - WebMD
Allergic Asthma Symptoms, Treatments, Allergy Triggers, and More - WebMD
If you have asthma and allergies, you may find that an allergic reaction brings on asthma symptoms. Learn more about allergic asthma. (Photo Credit: iStock/Getty Images)
The same allergens that give some people sneezing fits and watery eyes can cause other people to have an asthma attack. Allergic asthma is the most common type of asthma. About 90% of kids with childhood asthma haveallergies, compared with about 60% of adults with asthma.
The symptoms that go along with allergic asthma show up after you breathe in allergens (or allergy triggers) such as pollen,dust mites, or mold. If you have asthma (allergic or nonallergic), it usually gets worse after you exercise in cold air or breathe smoke, dust, or fumes. Sometimes even a strong smell can set it off.
Allergens are everywhere. If you have allergic asthma, know what triggers your body to react and learn how to prevent an attack.
Your immune system’s job is to protect you from external invaders, such as bacteria and viruses. If you haveallergies, part of your immune system works too hard. It may attack harmless substances such as cat dander or pollen in your nose, lungs, eyes, and under your skin.
When your body is exposed to an allergen, it makes chemicals called immunoglobulin E (IgE) antibodies. They cause the release of chemicals like histamine, which cause swelling andinflammationas your body tries to remove the allergen. This creates an allergic reaction with familiar allergy symptoms such as arunny nose, itchy eyes, and sneezing.
If you have allergic asthma, your airways are extra sensitive to certain allergens. Once they get into your body, your immune system overreacts. The muscles around your airways tighten. The airways become inflamed and flooded with thick mucus.
Whether you have allergicasthmaor nonallergic asthma, the symptoms are generally the same. You’re likely to:
With allergic asthma, in addition to the asthma symptoms, you’ll also have allergy symptoms. Those include:
Allergens, small enough to be breathed deep into the lungs, include:
Keep in mind that allergens aren’t the only thing that can worsen allergic asthma. Irritants may trigger an asthma attack, even if they don’t cause an allergic reaction. These may include:
Your doctor can test you to see what causes your allergic asthma. The two most common (and recommended) methods are:
To control yourallergic asthma, avoid exposure to allergens:
Stay inside when pollen counts are high.Keep the windows closed. If it’s hot, use an air conditioner with a clean air filter. Don’t use an old air conditioner if it smells musty or moldy. Don’t use an evaporative cooler (also called a swamp cooler).
Avoid dust mites.These microscopic critters live in fabrics and carpets. Wrap your pillows, mattress, and box spring in allergen-proof covers. Wash your sheets and other bedding once a week in hot water. Remove wall-to-wall carpeting if you can. Get rid of areas where dust can gather, such as heavy curtains, upholstered furniture, and piles of clothing. If your child has allergic asthma, buy only washable stuffed animals.
Control indoor humidity. Check the humidity inside your home using an inexpensive meter. If the moisture is above 40%, use adehumidifieror air conditioner. This will dry out the air and slow the growth of molds. Consult a pro to repair any plumbing or roof leaks. Run exhaust fans while you cook or take a shower to lower the humidity in the room.
Check for pet allergies.If you have pets, get tested to see if they’re causing your problem. Make sure to ban all your pets from the bedroom. High levels of cat allergens can stick around for months in a home or apartment, even after the cats are gone. There are nohypoallergeniccats or dogs. You can wash your pet every week, but it has little effect on the amount of allergens you inhale. Dusts or sprays that claim to reduce pet allergens are not proven effective.
Keep your kitchen and bathroom clean and dry.This helps prevent mold and keeps cockroaches away. If you’re allergic to cockroaches, and you see signs of them in your home, contact a pest control company. Insect spray won’t do the trick. You have to get rid of all sources of food in your home, even small crumbs in the carpet and oil stains near the stove.Â
Choose air filters wisely.Large HEPA room air filters remove smoke and other small particles (such as pollen) from a room, but only when the fan is on. They don’t lower humidity or reduce dust mites. Electronic air purifiers create ozone, which can cause airway inflammation.
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