Asthmatic conditions affect almost 25 million Americans. 60% of them have allergic asthma. Allergic asthma shares the same symptoms and reactions as other forms of asthma; it’s the triggering event that is different. This article will explore the causes, symptoms, and treatments for allergic asthma to help you know the difference and locate treatment options.
What are the Most Commonly Reported Symptoms of Asthma?
The condition known as asthma is a long-term lung disease that is characterized by hyper-responsiveness of the tissues in the airway of the lungs due to a sensitivity to irritants. Airborne particulates that are typically benign become triggers of attack when some people’s immune system overreacts and treats these substances as a foreign attack. The only difference between allergy-induced and typical asthma is the triggering event that starts an attack.
The Most Common Symptoms Include:
• Difficulty Breathing/ tightness in the chest
• Persistent and chronic coughing
• Runny nose/ constant sneezing
Symptoms of a Severe Attack Include:
• Severe breathing issues
• Rapid heart rate
• Difficulty performing everyday activities like talking and walking
• Feelings of anxiety and panic due to lack of air
• Rescue medication is ineffective at reducing symptoms within 10 to 15 minutes
• Pale or bluish color of the fingernails or lips
• Acute pain in the chest
Severe allergy attacks should be seen by a doctor at once, especially if asthma medications are not having any effect. If left untreated severe attacks can be life-threatening.
What are the Known Causes of Allergic Asthma?
Just like everyday asthma, the root cause of allergic asthma remains unidentified. In each case, the onset of symptoms varies from patient to patient; for some, it appears to be genetic; for others, it shows up after environmental damage of some kind. However, the symptoms and features of an attack remain the same. For those with allergic asthma, the triggering event happens when they are exposed to their allergy. Common allergens include:
• Pollen
• Mold spores
• Dust
• Mites and insect residue
• Animal hair and dander (skin cells)
What are the Current Treatment Options?
While there is still no known cure for any form of asthma, there are two main lines of defense against an attack. The first is in the form of on-hand medical treatments taken at the onset, and the second is avoiding or reducing exposure. Medications most commonly prescribed for allergic asthma include:
• Immunomodulators
• Corticosteroid inhalers
• SABAs (short-acting beta agonists)
• LABAs (long-acting beta agonists)
It’s easier to deal with allergic asthma on a day-to-day basis with avoidance or reduction of allergen exposure. But, before avoiding exposure, you need to know precisely what you are allergic to. A simple allergy test performed by your doctor can tell you exactly what your triggers are. Once you know, you can take the steps needed to eliminate or reduce the allergens in your home and environment. Some of the solutions allergy sufferers have used include:
• Replacing air filters for central air systems and vacuum cleaners with HEPA filters to help improve air quality
• Use dust covers for bedding and furniture, and wash regularly
• Keep windows and doors shut during your allergy season
• Keep feathered and fur-covered animals out of your home, if possible
• Take out carpets and rugs that can harbor allergens
• Control moisture with a de-humidifier and fix leaks at once
While it’s essential to maintain medications and avoidance measures, these can sometimes fail. Establish an action plan for worse-case scenarios, including what to do if emergency medical help is needed. Make sure to speak with your doctor about how to start if you are unsure.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common symptoms of allergic asthma include difficulty breathing or tightness in the chest, persistent coughing, and a runny nose with constant sneezing. These symptoms arise when the immune system overreacts to allergens, causing airway inflammation and hyper-responsiveness.
Severe allergic asthma attacks involve acute breathing difficulties, rapid heart rate, inability to perform everyday activities like talking or walking, feelings of anxiety or panic due to shortness of breath, rescue medications not working within 10-15 minutes, pale or bluish fingernails or lips, and acute chest pain. Such attacks require immediate medical attention.
Allergic asthma attacks are triggered by exposure to allergens such as pollen, mold spores, dust, mites, insect residue, animal hair, and dander. These allergens cause the immune system to overreact, leading to airway inflammation identical to other forms of asthma.
Currently, there is no known cure for allergic asthma or any form of asthma. However, symptoms can be effectively managed using medications such as immunomodulators, corticosteroid inhalers, and beta agonists, along with avoidance strategies to reduce allergen exposure.
Medications for allergic asthma commonly include immunomodulators, corticosteroid inhalers to reduce inflammation, short-acting beta agonists (SABAs) for immediate relief, and long-acting beta agonists (LABAs) for maintenance treatment. These help control symptoms and prevent attacks.
Reducing allergen exposure involves actions like replacing air filters with HEPA filters, using dust covers on bedding and furniture, keeping windows and doors closed during allergy season, removing carpets, controlling moisture with dehumidifiers, and keeping pets with fur or feathers out of the home if possible.
Getting an allergy test helps identify the specific triggers causing your allergic asthma. Knowing your triggers allows you to take targeted steps to avoid or reduce exposure, improving your day-to-day symptom management and reducing the frequency and severity of asthma attacks.