Facts About Allergy-Induced Asthma You Must Know
Asthma is a chronic inflammatory disorder that causes inflammation in the airways and results in symptoms like wheezing, coughing, breathlessness, etc. It is a non-communicable disease that manifests as attacks of impaired breathing when exposed to certain conditions or allergens (a substance that causes allergy).
Asthma is the most common airway disease affecting more than 339 million individuals around the globe. Asthma is more prevalent in children but can occur at any point in life. In adults, women have a higher prevalence than men.
It is well established that allergy and asthma are closely associated. In response to the allergens, your body increases secretion in the airways and makes them narrow, resulting in allergic asthma symptoms. Common allergy-induced asthma signs and symptoms are:
- Repetitive episodes of coughing, especially at night or early in the morning.
- Wheezing or whistling sound
- Chest congestion or tightness
- Breathlessness
The severity and occurrence of asthma symptoms may vary from person to person. Your asthma may be hereditary but, several environmental factors also have an active role in it. Factors that may trigger an asthma attack are allergens such as dust mites, pollen, pet dander, etc. Chemical fumes and pollution also play a role in triggering asthma. Some other common triggers include cold and dry weather, exercise, and perfumes.
Although asthma is a manageable disease, a poor lifestyle and lack of proper care and asthma treatment can worsen the condition of an asthmatic person. It may exacerbate chronic or severe form. Here are some facts about allergy-induced asthma that you should know:
1. Eczema can lead to asthma
Though it might sound surprising, studies have found a relation between eczema (a skin disorder) and asthma. It is observed that about 50% of people with eczema may develop the condition in the future. This is due to the progression of the body’s allergic reactions, medically known as the atopic march.
2. Doctors can help you figure out your triggers with tests
Some people already know what triggers their asthma while others may need help to figure it out. An allergist can help you determine what is causing your symptoms. A doctor might perform tests like skin or blood testing to figure out your allergies and will further help you determine how it affects your asthma. It is advised to keep track of what makes your symptoms worse as it can be helpful in determining your triggers.
3. You can have allergy-induced asthma even if you don't wheeze
Asthmatics commonly experience a wheezing or whistling sound when their allergic asthma gets triggered. However, wheezing may not always be present during the condition. Many people with asthma are so accustomed to this sound that they might not hear the wheezing sound. Sometimes the absence of wheezing is also indicative of a severe flare of asthma. So, it is necessary to look for other common symptoms of the condition too.
4. Exposure to animals will not reduce the risk of asthma
It is true that more exposure to the environment may increase your immunity, but this is not true for allergy and asthma. In fact, getting exposed to the triggering factors may worsen your condition. If you have asthma, constant exposure to pet dander may make your condition worse.
5. A chlorinated swimming pool might increase the risk of asthma
Several studies have indicated that children swimming in the indoor pool are at higher risk of developing asthma due to chlorine present in the water. Chlorine is commonly used to disinfect pool water. The fumes from the chlorine in indoor pools can increase the likelihood of developing asthma. However, swimming itself is generally recommended for those with asthma and swimming in outdoor pools reduces the risk of fumes.
Allergy-induced asthma is triggered by allergens that can exist all year round or those that only come seasonally. Some common triggers include pet dander, dust mites, and smoke while some seasonal triggers of allergy-induced asthma include mould and pollen. Keeping track of your symptoms and trying your best to avoid allergens is the best way to manage allergy-induced asthma. You should pay a visit to your doctor to figure out your triggers and come up with an effective asthma treatment plan to manage them.
References:
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6157154/
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK430901/
https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/asthma
https://www.aafa.org/asthma-triggers-causes/
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4805472/
https://www.karger.com/Article/PDF/370220
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