Allergies are a major part of many people’s lives. Allergies can impact your diet, products use, and even your breathing. It’s known as allergic asthma when allergies are combined with a condition called asthma. An allergic condition is when your airways contract when you inhale an allergen. It could be anything in the air, such as pollen, dander, or mold spores. Triggers are allergens that trigger asthma attacks. You might experience a reaction that causes you to react, but others may not feel it.
Your body responds to allergens by creating an allergic reaction. To fight the danger, it activates all its defenses. Your immune system is responsible for this. Your immune system works to protect against disease. Your immune system releases an immunoglobulin E (IgE) chemical when it senses there is danger. This chemical is designed to protect and defend your body. High IgE levels can make breathing harder, as your airways may tighten.
Asthma, a disease of your lungs, causes your airways:
- Inflammation is when the airway linings become irritated or swollen.
- Produce thicker mucus than usual.
- The muscles around the airways become tighter, making them narrow.
What is the prevalence of allergic asthma?
Many people who have asthma have allergic asthma. This is the most common form of asthma. About 25 million Americans have asthma. About 60% of those people have asthma caused by allergies.
SYMPTOMS & CAUSES
What causes allergic asthma?
Asthma is not understood. Allergens are the main reason that allergic asthma symptoms begin. This is what distinguishes allergic asthma from other forms of asthma. Allergens can be inhaled and trigger asthma symptoms. An asthma attack is when you have severe asthma symptoms.
What common allergens can trigger allergic asthma symptoms?
Allergens are all around us. Allergens can be found in both indoor and outdoor environments. Inhaling these allergens can trigger your allergic asthma symptoms. To manage your asthma, it is important to understand what triggers your symptoms.
Some allergens that could trigger allergic asthma include:
- Dander – This is skin flakes, and it’s often from pets. Dander is often considered a common allergen.
- Pollen – A powdery substance, pollen is derived from plants. Weeds and grass are the most common sources of pollen that can trigger allergic asthma.
- Mold – Mold is a common spore-producing organism that can cause asthma attacks. It’s usually found in moist areas (basements).
- Dust mites – These tiny, spider-like insects live on the soft surfaces in your home (carpets or soft furniture covers, clothes, etc.). They feed on skin flakes you naturally shed. Both mites and their feces can cause allergic reactions.
- Cockroaches can be found in many houses and buildings. The feces, saliva, and other body parts can trigger asthma symptoms.
Seasonal allergies can be a problem for some people. These allergies are seasonal. Many plants bloom, so this is often a sign of spring allergy. This time of year is when there is more pollen than in other seasons (fall and winter).
What are the symptoms and signs of allergic asthma?
You may experience many of the same symptoms as other forms of asthma if you have allergic asthma. Some of these symptoms include:
- Feeling breathless.
- Coughing often, especially at night.
- Wheezing is a whistling sound that occurs during breathing.
- Feeling tight around your chest (sensing something pressing down on or pinching you).
These symptoms can become very severe during an asthma attack. You should have a treatment plan if you suffer from severe asthma symptoms. This plan may include an inhaler (sometimes called a rescue inhaler).
These symptoms can also be closely related to allergies. These symptoms are often less severe than asthma symptoms and can occur when an allergen is introduced to the body. These symptoms may include:
- A stuffy nose.
- Eyes that are itchy or runny.
- Sneezing.
- A rash with hives.
