Find Out Everything You Need To Know About Allergic Asthma
Although a patient's asthma attack can be triggered by various things, however, almost 90% of childhood asthma sufferers and 50% of adult asthma sufferers have allergies or can get an asthma attack due to allergies to certain substances. This is known as allergic asthma.
What is an Allergen?
Allergens are substances that trigger allergic responses in humans. Allergens may be ingested, inhaled, swallowed, touched, or injected into the body.
What is an allergy?
Your immune system protects you against bacteria and viruses. However, allergies lead the immune system to work overtime or become extra sensitive than it would be in the absence of allergies.
When individuals with allergies are exposed to an allergen, their bodies respond and create antibodies.
When this occurs, the body produces IgE antibodies, which contribute to the development of inflammation by releasing histamine. This results in a runny nose, irritated eyes, and sneezing.
What is Allergic Asthma?
Individuals who have allergic asthma will often have an asthma attack when exposed to an allergen. This is because elevated amounts of IgE produced by the immune system in reaction to allergens may irritate and swell the airways, as well as restrict them and cause difficulty in breathing.
This response may also result in mucus production in the airways, aggravating the illness. That is why those who suffer from allergic asthma must be familiar with the allergens in order to avoid asthma attacks.
Triggers of Allergic Asthma
Allergens might vary according to the kind of asthma. However, the following are some of the allergens that are often the cause of allergic asthma in humans.
Example of allergen includes:
pollen
fungus
dust pests
dandruff (skin flakes)
cockroach excrement
Rat
During certain seasons, pollen from trees, grass, and weeds might aggravate your allergy symptoms.
Certain foods, for example, shellfish
Preservatives for food
It should be emphasized, however, that not all of the compounds mentioned above induce asthma simply because the person is allergic to them. Certain compounds may produce inflammation or infection as a result of their toxicity.
For instance:
Cigarette smoke
Fungus
Pollution of the air
Fragrance for the home or for the body
Detergent chemicals
Allergic Asthma Symptoms
Allergic asthma has a number of symptoms similar to other types of asthma. Symptoms include the following:
Breathing difficulties or shortness of breath
At night, there is a lot of coughing.
The whistling sound produced during respiration (wheeze)
Pain in the chest (feels like something is pressing or squeezing the chest).
Individuals with allergic asthma may also have other allergy symptoms, such as:
Congestion of the nose.
Eyes that are itchy and watery
Sneeze
Skin rash and itching
How is allergic asthma diagnosed?
Consult your doctor to determine if you have allergic-type asthma or allergic asthma. To confirm allergies, the doctor may do a blood test or a skin allergy test.
Additionally, procedures such as spirometry, nitric oxide exhalation testing (FeNO), and bronchial provocation testing, as well as a comprehensive physical examination and retrieval of health history information, may be used to establish the diagnosis of allergic asthma.
Allergic Asthma Treatment
Your physician may prescribe medication to alleviate your asthma symptoms. Among them are the following:
Relievers: short-acting beta-agonists or anticholinergic medications that provide rapid relief from asthma symptoms. Additionally referred to as a reliever, this medication is often in the form of an inhaler.
Daily usage of inhalers or nebulizers to manage symptoms (such as inhaled corticosteroids or long-acting beta-agonists).
Anti-inflammatory drugs (oral corticosteroids or leukotriene modifiers, for example) are used to treat moderate to severe asthma symptoms and may also aid with allergy symptoms.
Allergy treatment may involve the following:
Antihistamines: These medications are used to alleviate allergic symptoms such as itching.
Immunotherapy (allergy injections): aids in the reduction of your body's sensitivity to allergens and may be necessary if your symptoms are severe.
Can allergic asthma be prevented?
While asthma cannot be avoided entirely, allergic asthma episodes may be minimized by identifying triggers and managing the environment. Here are some pointers to consider:
Avoid being outside during pollen season.
Avoid mites and dust and maintain a clean living environment.
Maintain a constant humidity level in the home to avoid fungal development.
Recognize pets that you are allergic to
Maintain a clean and dry kitchen and bathroom to avoid the formation of fungus.
Select the appropriate air filter
Take caution while working outdoors and, if required, use a proper face mask if you are exposed to allergies.
Written By Samuel Raj Lourdusamy, Doctor of Medicine, I.M. Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University, Russia on
Reviewed By DoctorOnCall Panel Doctor
