People diagnosed with asthma probably have allergies as well. In fact, allergic asthma is the most widespread among the types of asthma, which include nonallergic, exercise-induced, and nocturnal. According to the American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology, about 80% of childhood asthma is caused by allergy. In adults, the percentage is nearly 50%.
With allergic asthma, asthma symptoms are the result of exposure to an allergen. Allergens are environmental particles, indoor and outdoor, that induce an allergic response. In the case of allergic asthma, these allergens are breathed in, and through a complicated process, cause the airway channels of the lungs to swell. This inflammation brings on the symptoms of asthma. Asthma symptoms include coughing, wheezing, chest tightness, and shortness of breath.
Most of the allergens that are responsible for an asthmatic reaction are floating in the air. The most frequent offenders in regard to asthma are pollen (tree, grass, and weed), molds, pet dander, cockroaches, and dust mites. Of these, dust mites are the most common.
While allergic asthma is generally considered to be seasonal, nonseasonal asthma can be spurred by allergens that are always present in the environment no matter the season. These include animal dander, dust mites, and molds.
In order to gain better control of allergic asthma, individuals are encouraged to seek help in identifying their offending allergens. This is important for a couple of reasons. First, avoiding allergens can lessen the chances of having an attack, and second, to devise a formula for specific immunotherapy, otherwise known as allergy shots. Allergists are able to identify which allergens trigger an individual’s asthma by performing a skin prick test using the allergens commonly found in the patient’s residential geographic area. In patients who cannot undergo a skin prick test, allergists use a blood test to determine the levels of allergen specific antibodies known as immunoglobulin E, or IgE. Patients with increased IgE levels are more likely to have an allergy. Anytime an allergen goes into the body of a person who is allergic to that allergen, the body generates and releases IgE antibodies into the bloodstream. IgE is the body’s response against the invading allergen and is essentially an immune response gone awry.
Upon identifying which allergens trigger an asthmatic reaction, patients are encouraged to perform certain actions to limit allergen exposure. For example, dust mites are commonly found in bedding, such as pillows, mattresses, and blankets. Experts recommend enclosing mattresses and pillows with dust-resistant covers and washing bedding once a week in water that is at least 130 degrees Fahrenheit. Dust mites also like to live in carpeting, so experts recommend removing carpets from the bedroom. Reducing indoor humidity to less than 50% is another recommendation, since dust mites thrive in a humid environment. If pollen is an issue for a patient, experts advise keeping up with weather forecasts, especially pollen counts, to know when to stay inside. Allergy shots are another option for patients with allergic asthma. Studies have shown decreases in asthma exacerbations in patients who are prescribed immunotherapy.
