Patients experience different allergic relations upon exposure to allergens. Moreover, exposure to the same allergens can also cause varying allergic reactions; for example, some people might get snuffles and watery eyes upon exposure to dust, while others might get an asthma attack. One of the main types of Bastrop asthma & allergies develops as reactions to allergens. Patients experienced worsened symptoms upon breathy activities like exercising in cold air. Exposure to fumes and smoke can also make an asthma attack unmanageable. Although allergies do not have a cure, a person can manage their condition by appreciating and avoiding triggers preventing an episode.
What is an allergy?
Your body contains the immune system responsible for detecting and fighting harmful substances. Patients who have allergies have a hypersensitive immune system that may attack harmless substances in the body, causing adverse side effects. Upon body interaction with an allergen that your body considers an antigen, white blood cells, a crucial part of the immune system, stimulates the production of IgE antibodies which kick off the production of mediators like histamine. Histamine causes inflammation to increase in the body—inflammation in the nose results in a runny nose and an itchy eye.
What is allergic asthma?
Patients with allergic asthma have oversensitive airways. It would be best for this patient to avoid certain allergens like mold and dust to prevent an overreaction. An asthma reaction involves inflammation and tightness of the airway muscles causing difficulty breathing and thick mucus production. Patients with non allergic and allergic asthma share symptoms like:
- Coughing
- Sneezing
- Runny nose
- Tightening in the chest
- Shortness of breath
What are the main common causes of allergic asthma?
Allergic asthma occurs when a patient breathes contaminated air. The most common allergens that trigger allergic asthma include:
- Mold
- Dust
- Pollen
- Animal fur
Some respiratory irritants that might make your allergic reaction worse include:
- Smoke
- Cold air
- Perfumes
- Air fresheners
- Fumes
How can patients control their allergens?
The fastest way to get an allergic asthma attack is by inhaling allergens. Air conditioning in your home can remove mold and dust from the air. Get a humidifier to keep the air around you dry and thus prevent the growth of molds. It would be best to get your pets another home if you cannot keep them outdoors. Although you can try washing your pets every week, this technique will not change the number of allergens you breathe.
What are the treatments for allergic asthma?
Although controlling exposure to allergens can manage allergic reactions, patients may need medical intervention to treat symptoms that may result from the attack. For example, your physician may recommend nasal allergy medications or allergy shots that contain antihistamines. Some patients may need to inhale steroids to minimize inflammation in the airways. It would be best to work with your primary care provider to better manage your allergic asthma conditions and learn ways of controlling attacks. Contact Pompeyo C Chavez, MD, for a consultation and develop a diagnostic and treatment approach to help you understand and manage your allergic asthma.
