Can Allergies Turn Into Asthma

What Is Respiratory Syncytial Virus

RSV is a common respiratory virus. By the time children are 2 or 3 years old, most have been infected by RSV at least once, with few problems. However, for some, the virus can be life-threatening and the infection sends more babies to the hospital than any other condition.

High-risk groups include:

• Babies less than one year who were born prematurely
• Infants under 6 months
• Children with asthma or reactive airways disease
• Patients of any age with underlying lung, heart or immune system problems, including cancer and transplant patients

RSV tends to occur and spread in the winter and early spring. It starts as an upper respiratory infection,;with familiar cold symptoms. What makes it so dangerous is its ability to quickly spread down from the nose and throat into the lower respiratory tract, where it infects and causes inflammation in the tissues of the lungs and the tiny bronchial air tubes .

Inflammation is the bodys natural process for fighting infection, but in tiny infant airways or those already inflamed by asthma, it can cause increased airway obstruction and difficulty breathing.

RSV is also common among adults, particularly those with weakened immune systems such as people with asthma, COPD, cancer patients, those with either immunodeficiency or autoimmune disease, and those in close contact with large numbers of people, such as senior citizens living within group settings.;

What If You Have Asthma

If you have allergic asthma and are on a management plan with a regular inhaler, ensure youre using it regularly and as specified by your GP as we go into hay fever season. If you dont use a regular inhaler, talk to your GP.

If youve had asthma or hay fever in the past, talk to your local pharmacist about using nasal spray for hay fever prevention.

For more information on asthma and hay fever, visit:

Remind Me What Are Hay Fever And Asthma

Hay fever isnt caused by hay and is not accompanied by fever. Seasonal allergic rhinitis, as its known clinically, is caused by pollen from certain trees, grasses and weeds.

Perennial allergic rhinitis, in contrast, is mostly caused by indoor substances, such as dust mites, chemicals in house paint, and so on.

Rhinitis refers to inflammation in the nose that leads to symptoms of hay fever: the sneezing, nasal congestion, itchy nose and runny nose. Rhinitis can be allergic, as in the case of hay fever, or non-allergic, where there is no known cause.

Asthma is a long-term inflammatory condition of the lung. People with asthma experience periods of wheezing, shortness of breath, coughing and chest tightness due to changes in the lungs.

Like rhinitis, asthma can be allergic or non-allergic .

Non-allergic asthma is not related to hay fever.

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Can Asthma Reappear In Adults After Disappearing Years Ago

Asthma is usually diagnosed in childhood. In many patients; however, the symptoms will disappear or are significantly reduced after puberty. After age 20, symptoms may begin to reappear.

Researchers have tracked this tendency for reappearing asthma and found that people with childhood asthma tend to experience reappearing symptoms through their 30s and 40s at various levels of severity.

Regardless of whether your asthma is active, you should continue to avoid your known triggers and keep your rescue medications or prescriptions up-to-date and handy in case you need them.

How An Allergic Reaction Can Cause Asthma Symptoms

If youve ever taken a bite of peanut butter and immediately broken out in hives, you’ve experienced an allergic reaction. Allergens, like peanut butter in this case, are substances that are inhaled, consumed, touched, or injected into the body that result in an allergic reaction.

An allergic reaction occurs when antibodies, or immune system proteins, incorrectly identify a harmless substance like peanut butter as harmful and invasive, according to Mayo Clinic. Your immune system then binds antibodies to the allergen and releases a chemical substance called immunoglobulin E in an effort to protect the body.

Too much IgE results in typical symptoms of an allergic reaction such as:

• Itchy eyes

• Difficulty talking, swallowing, or breathing
• Disorientation

And in some cases, allergens may cause mild or severe inflammation in the lungs and airways, triggering symptoms of asthma like coughing, wheezing, and shortness of breath.

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What Symptoms Should You Watch For In Your Child

Contact your childs doctor if common cold symptoms are complicated by any of the following:

• The child is younger than three months
• The child has ever been diagnosed with asthma or reactive airways disease
• The child has a fever
• above 100.4° in babies under 3 months old
• above 101° in babies 3-6 months
• above 102° in babies older than 6 months

or take your child to the emergency room for any of these symptoms:

• Wheezing
• Signs of trouble breathing: nostrils widening with each breath; rapid breathing; skin above or below the ribs sucking in with each breath; skin, lips or nails turning blue
• A severe headache behind or around the eyes or the back of the neck; swelling or redness around the eyes
• Persistent vomiting or signs of dehydration: dry or sticky mouth; few or no tears; thirst; discolored or less urine than usual

Common Allergens That Trigger Allergic Asthma

According to the American College of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology , 75 percent of adults age 20 to 40 with asthma and 65 percent of those age 55 and older have at least one allergy as of April 2018. The ACAAI also reports that as many as 80 percent of children with allergies also have asthma.

There are certain allergens that typically trigger allergy-induced asthma in children and adults, such as:

• Pollen
• Skin
• Food

Its important to note that not everything you are allergic to will cause asthma symptoms to develop, though another type of allergic reaction may develop. A doctor may perform a skin or blood test to determine the allergen triggering your allergic asthma.

In an allergy skin test, also referred to as a skin prick test, a nurse makes small marks in the skin and applies allergen extracts next to them. In adults, the skin test is usually conducted on the arm, and in children its done on the back. According to Mayo Clinic, a skin prick test can check up to 40 different substances at once.

Another option is an allergy blood test, which measures the level of IgE antibodies in the blood. A positive result for a total IgE test indicates an allergy after the overall number of IgE antibodies is measured. Alternatively, a specific IgE test identifies the levels of IgE antibodies in response to individual allergens so that you can discover whether or not you have allergies to a specific trigger, such as pollen.

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The Importance Of Severity

The symptoms of a cold are usually mild. You may find that with over the counter medication, you can go about day to day life as usual. You may choose to self-isolate, to reduce the spread of anything that you may be carrying, but your symptoms will usually be mild to moderate.;

Allergy symptoms can also be mild and controlled using over the counter medication. But, they may vary in severity, depending on your location and situation. Seasonal allergies, for example, may flare up when the pollen count is high or when you spend an extended amount of time outdoors.;

Asthma symptoms, however, can become much more severe without treatment. Theres no cure for asthma, but with inhalers and sometimes tablets, you can lead a healthy, active life. Without treatment, asthma can be debilitating and stop you from enjoying active pursuits.;

If Your Asthma Symptoms Are Caused By Allergies Take Steps To Control Knownor Potential Triggers In Your Environment

Allergy-proof your house for dust, mold, cockroaches, and other common indoor allergens to which you are allergic.

;Reduce your outdoor activities when the pollen count or ozone level is high.

;Choose foods that dont contribute to your asthma or allergy symptoms.

;Evaluate your workplace for possible allergens and take the necessary steps to reduce your exposure to them.

In order to determine relevant triggers, you may want to seek consultation with an allergist who can further define these triggers.

In addition, anyone with asthma should consider getting an annual flu shot. Older adults also should talk with their internist about getting a pneumonia vaccination.

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Schedule An Appointment With An Allergy Specialist

Congestion, wheezing, runny nose, and other symptoms dont have to keep interrupting your daily life. Allergists like Dr. Sami Nallamshetty at Florida Medical Clinic can help diagnose the causes of your allergies and help get your asthma under control year-round using treatments like allergy shots, medications, and more.

How Is The Condition Diagnosed

To diagnose asthma, your physician will question you about your symptoms, perform a physical exam, and conduct lung function tests. You also may be tested for allergies.

Your internist or family physician may refer you to an allergist or pulmonologist for specialized testing or treatment.

After middle age, most adults experience a decrease in their lung capacity. These changes in lung function may lead some physicians to overlook asthma as a possible diagnosis.

Untreated asthma can contribute to even greater permanent loss of lung function. If you have any asthma symptoms, dont ignore them, and dont try to treat them yourself. Get a definitive diagnosis from your health care provider.

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How To Help Your Child With Allergies

You can tell allergies from a cold because kids will typically have clear mucus, no fever, and symptoms will last six to eight weeks. Dr. Michael also recommends trying a second-generation antihistamine like childrens Claritin, Zyrtec or Allegra to see if their symptoms improve.;

To help your kids manage their allergies, it can help to try to pinpoint the cause:

• Keep a journal or use an app to track your childs symptoms.
• Check pollen counts on a weather website or an allergy tracker like pollen.com and note whats blooming on days your child has symptoms.
• Note school days, weekends or visits to other peoples homes. This can help you with environmental factors or pet allergies.
• Note the season and rainfall .;

If there does seem to be a link to allergies, their pediatrician can order more accurate allergy testing.

While kids wont outgrow allergies or asthma, Dr. Michael reports most children can successfully manage these conditions and lead normal, active lives into adulthood.

Allergies and asthma dont have to mean sitting inside and missing out on all the fun of childhood, says Dr. Michael. Playing, running and athletics can all be open to them with the right management.

Use a telehealth visit to talk with your childs pediatrician about allergy or asthma concerns.

What Are The Symptoms Of Allergic Asthma

If you have allergic asthma, you may have many of the same symptoms you would experience with other types of asthma. These symptoms can include:

• Coughing frequently, especially at night.
• Wheezing .
• Experiencing chest tightness .

These symptoms can be very intense during an asthma attack. Make sure you have a treatment plan in place if you have severe asthma symptoms this plan often includes an inhaler .

You can also experience symptoms more closely related to allergies. These are usually less intense than asthma symptoms and can happen when youre exposed to an allergen. These symptoms can include:

• A stuffy nose.
• A rash and hives.

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Take Charge: Get Symptoms Under Control

Know the things that trigger your allergy and asthma symptoms and learn how to limit your exposure to them. Work with your doctor to find the best treatment to manage your symptoms, and check in with your doctor on a regular basis.

Because allergy and asthma symptoms can change over time, you may need to adjust your treatment accordingly. Learn the signs that your asthma may be flaring up â and know what to do when it does.

© 1998-2019 Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research . All rights reserved.Terms of use.

How Do I Manage Allergic Asthma

The main goal of treating allergic asthma is to control the condition. Your healthcare provider will work with you to develop ways to manage allergic asthma. Some things your provider may work with you on include:

• Learning how to identify triggers. Your provider will help you figure out what is triggering your asthma and find ways to either avoid or manage these allergens. Often, these triggers are found in your environment. Once you know what they are, you can manage your interactions with them.
• Finding the best medication for you. Not every medication is a perfect fit. Your provider will work with you to find which medication will control your asthma symptoms without causing negative side effects. There are many types of medications for allergic asthma . Take the time to work with your provider to see what works best for you.
• Developing an action plan. Its important to have a plan in place that helps you know when to take certain medications, what to do if the medications arent working and who to call in those situations.

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Common Questions About Allergies & Asthma

1. Can allergies trigger asthma?

Allergies and asthma have many of the same symptoms andtriggers.; Pollen, dust, and dander can cause coughing, sneezing, and overall breathing difficulties for both asthmatics and those with allergies.; Plus, some people have allergic asthma, which is when the skin or food allergies cause asthma symptoms.

2. How can asthma allergies be prevented?

A person with asthma allergies must be aware of what triggers their symptoms so they can proactively prevent asthma or allergy attacks.; Some of the best tips to control asthmatic allergies are:

• Staying indoors when pollen and ozone counts are high
• Filtering indoor air
• Refraining from exercising in cold weather
• Avoiding strongly scented products
• Limiting exposure to dust and dander

3. Do I have asthma or allergies?

While asthma and allergies do have some similarities, they are different and require different treatments, so it is best to have a doctor diagnose whether a person has asthma or allergies.; Some of the basic symptoms of allergies are itchy eyes or nose, hives, and/or cough.

4. How do they test for Allergy Asthma?

To determine if a person has Allergy Asthma, a doctor will need to know the patients medical history and perform a physical exam.; The doctor may also test for asthma by using a spirometer, a challenge test, a lung test, or a nitric oxide test.

5. Do inhalers help with allergies?

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Can Allergies Turn Into Bronchitis

Since allergies affect our airways, can they turn into bronchitis? Allergic reactions cause inflammation of the airways, which results in problems breathing. While irritating the respiratory tract, this inflammation also increases mucus production. This then makes it even harder to breathe.

Bronchitis is by definition inflammation of the bronchial tubes. Bronchi are organs that carry air into the lungs. When a person takes a breath through the nose or mouth, air travels to the larynx, then the trachea, and to the bronchi.

There are two bronchi, left and right. The bronchi branch off smaller and smaller as they get into the lung tissues. The smaller bronchi, known as bronchioles, carry air to tiny sacs, or alveoli. This is where gas exchange takes place. Oxygen moves into the blood while carbon dioxide goes into the alveoli and exhaled.

There are a few ways someone may develop bronchitis, and allergies are one of them. Allergic bronchitis is the name of it. Meanwhile, asthma may cause asthmatic bronchitis. Infections could also cause the illness.

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How Do Allergies Affect Asthma

If you have asthma, it’s a good idea to find out if allergies may be causing problems for you. See your health care provider, who may suggest a visit to an allergist so you can find out if you’re allergic to anything.

If you have allergies, it doesn’t mean that they’re causing your asthma symptoms. But knowing what they are lets you and your doctor start looking into the connection.

Limiting your exposure to possible allergens may be a big help in controlling your asthma. If you can’t completely limit your exposure to something you’re allergic to, your doctor may recommend medicine or allergy shots.

How Does An Allergic Reaction Cause Asthma Symptoms

An allergic response occurs when immune system proteins mistakenly identify a harmless substance, such as tree pollen, as an invader. In an attempt to protect your body from the substance, antibodies bind to the allergen.

The chemicals released by your immune system lead to allergy signs and symptoms, such as nasal congestion, runny nose, itchy eyes or skin reactions. For some people, this same reaction also affects the lungs and airways, leading to asthma symptoms.

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How Do We Know If We Have Allergies Or Asthma Vs Something Else

The typical symptoms of allergies are sinus congestion, runny nose, post-nasal drip, sneezing, coughing, and itchy or watery eyes. These symptoms are often mistaken for;signs of a cold. If your symptoms return or worsen depending on the season, it could be allergies. Unlike the flu or the coronavirus, allergies and asthma do not cause a fever. While a fever can rule out allergies, if you have a fever, we would recommend contacting your primary care physician to determine if you may have the flu or COVID-19.

In late September, doctors often see a peak in hospitalizations;due to asthma attacks, especially in children. In addition to the increase of allergens, as kids return to school, they can be exposed to more viruses that can trigger an exacerbation. It is important to ensure those with asthma continue to take their medication as prescribed. Summer often disrupts medication routines, so as children get back into the habit of school, it is an excellent time to get them back on schedule to help prevent hospitalizations due to their symptoms.