Asthma is a long-lasting health problem. It is a change in how the lining of the airways of the lungs works. It makes the airways narrow and makes it hard to breathe.
Allergic asthma is a breathing condition where the airways you breathe through tighten when you inhale an allergen. Several allergens cause allergic reactions, such as; pollen, dander, and mold spores. Allergy-related asthma is typical in children and adults. Symptoms include shortness of breath, coughing, wheezing, stuffy nose, itchy eyes, and a rash.
Symptoms of Asthma
- Shortness of breath
- Coughing
- Wheezing
- Whistling noise during breathing
- Chest tightness
You can also experience symptoms more similar to allergic reactions. Symptoms include:
- Stuffy nose
- Itchy and watery eyes
- Sneezing
- Rash
- Hives
Does Allergy-related Asthma Feel Different from Typical Asthma Attack?
Allergy-related asthma attack leads to severe flair-up of asthma symptoms. During an asthma attack, your airways will tighten and causes difficulty in breathing, chest pressure, coughing, and wheezing. The symptoms of allergy-related asthma are similar to a typical asthma attack. The difference is only the cause of the attack.
How to Diagnose Asthma and Seasonal Allergies?
The doctor will ask about your symptoms and past health. A physical assessment and spirometry test will help measure how much you breathe in and out. This process can help in finding out the amount and rate of air that can pass through airways. Your doctor can also determine allergy-related asthma by running blood tests, skin-prick tests, and other methods.
Risk Factors of Asthma and Seasonal Allergies
Causes and risk factors include:
- Pollen Allergens. It triggers seasonal asthma and, they are prevalent outdoor during spring and summer.
- Mold and mildew allergens. Mold and mildew are both fungi and, they are typical in humid places. Your seasonal exposure to mold is due to weather conditions and lifestyle choices.
- Cold weather. Avoid going out during cold weather to avoid an asthma attack. Blustery weather outside may impact your activities and makes you more vulnerable to seasonal asthma.
- Hot weather. Summer heat can bring on seasonal asthma. It causes your airways to narrow and trigger asthma symptoms. Heat can increase pollution by trapping ozone and particulate matter. Hazy air can also trigger asthmatic symptoms.
Treatment for Asthma and Seasonal Allergies
In treating asthma, you will need proper planning as the goal is to reduce your risk of a possible attack. Medicine such as inhalers, nasal spray, and lifestyle change can help in managing asthma-related symptoms. Medicine includes:
- Corticosteroids can prevent swelling of the airways.
- Inhaled long-acting beta-agonists to relax the airways.
- Fluticasone Propionate can alleviate seasonal allergies and asthma.