How To Stop Wheezing From Allergies

How Do You Stop Wheezing Quickly

You can stop wheezing by using an inhaler or trying breathing techniques like pursed-lip breathing and deep belly breathing. Drinking warm liquids can also help with wheezing because they relax the airway and open up your bronchial tubes. You can also try inhaling steam, since wheezing can be caused by dry air.

Inflammation Of The Airways

When the body detects an allergen, it tries to reject it by producing antibodies and chemicals, such as histamine. Histamine causes the airways to become inflamed and constricted, and it also causes the body to produce mucus to help expel the allergen.

As a result, the airways become narrower. When a person breathes through narrowed airways, the air is forced through a smaller-than-usual space, and a whistling sound can result. This sound is wheezing.

Some causes of wheezing result in short-lived symptoms. Others can cause symptoms that are more serious or longer lasting.

How Do You Decide What Treatment Is Right For Your Asthma

Patients want to have a say in their care and treatment choices. We call it . This is where your asthma specialist discusses with you the pros and cons of a specific test or treatment. You then work together to decide what is best for you. These decisions will guide the development of your Asthma Action Plan.

Studies show when patients and healthcare providers partner on decisions, it improves health outcomes. Shared Decision-Making helps improve patients knowledge of their condition. They are also more likely to follow their treatment plans and go to follow-up appointments.

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Seasonal Or Environmental Allergy Treatments

The best approach depends on the allergen, which may include:

• Pollen. A reaction to pollen is called hay fever or allergic rhinitis, and allergy medications can help.
• Dust. The best way to treat wheezing that stems from an allergy to dust mites is to clean carpets, bedding, and furnishings and reduce household humidity.
• Pet hair. The saliva, skin flakes, and urine that collect when pets shed their hair can cause allergies. Regular vacuuming can help.
• Certain foods. An allergist can help determine which food is responsible, and a person usually needs to eliminate it from their diet.

Allergic Wheezing: Causes & Treatment

An allergic reaction can cause someone to have a rattling sound while breathing. This is called wheezing. An allergic reaction sometimes tightens the throat and lungs. During this time, your body works hard to take in enough air. And in this process a high pitched sound may be created as the person exhales. If you are one of those having wheezing and hay fever, you should consider contacting an allergy doctor in OKC. Since there are a number of treatment options, contact your doctor for a suitable treatment plan.

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How Allergies Can Cause Wheezing

Formed inside the male part of a flower, the job of each pollen grain is to carry male plant DNA to the female part of a flower for fertilization. Pollinators, like insects, birds and bees are critical carriers, but it is the wind that turns pollen into an allergy-triggering machine.

Plants, and especially grasses, throw off literally billions of pollen particles into the air which inevitably settle into peoples noses and mouths. Thats where the battle begins.

Pollen isnt looking to start a fight. Its actually harmless. But our bodies see those particles as a threat and immediately summon antibodies, called histamines, to come to our defense. The result? An increase in blood flow and inflammation, which can cause you to wheeze from allergies. The histamine signals your brain to sneeze to try and get rid of the pollen. Your membranes start to make more mucus leaving you with a runny or stuffy nose. The mucus also runs down your throat and makes you cough. Those histamines, which is just your immune system trying to protect you, can also cause your eyes and nose to itch.

Allergic Wheezing Had Various Causes:

• When you come in contact with a foreign substance such as pollen, dust, pet hair and certain food, an allergic reaction is created. It can cause symptoms in your nose, throat, ear and eyes.

• As soon as the body detects an allergen, the body tries its best to remove it. And in the process, the airways become constricted. As the airways become narrower, the air is forced through a smaller space, creating whistling sound.

• Allergic asthma is another cause of wheezing. Although not everyone with allergic wheezing has asthma, but the opposite might happen.

• Anaphylactic shock is another condition that causes allergic wheezing. Its considered to be a serious medical condition.

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How To Stop Wheezing At Home

Some tips will help you wheeze less. However, you shouldnt rely on them as a treatment. It is still vital to inform your healthcare provider of this condition so they can assess and treat you accordingly.

Some ways you can stop wheezing include:

1. Drink Warm Liquids

Stubborn mucous in the windpipe can cause congestion, which might result in wheezing noises when you breathe. Hydration helps with any type of congestion, and sipping on warm liquids can significantly break up the stubborn mucous. Warm water and herbal teas are the go-to liquids to stop wheezing.

2. Breathe In Moist Air

You can free your airway of mucous and congestion by inhaling moist air or steam. It will be much easier to breathe after the steam or humid air loosens the mucous in your airway. Therefore, the following might help stop wheezing:

• A hot, steamy shower with closed doors
• Using a humidifier
• Spending time in the steam room

3. Refrain From Smoking

Not only does smoking irritate your airways, but it can also put you at risk of severe conditions, like emphysema and chronic bronchitis, that cause wheezing in COPD. Moreover, secondhand smoking also makes one susceptible to wheezing, especially in children.

Avoiding smoke from nontobacco sources like BBQ grills and fireplaces can be beneficial too.

4. Use Pursued Lip Breathing Technique

You should feel much better after trying this technique as it will help stop wheezing.

5. Avoid Exercising in Cold & Dry Weather

6. Add Fruits & Vegetables to Your Diet

Why Do Allergies Make Us Sneeze

Achoo! Were all familiar with sneezing, but have you wondered why and how your body does it? These five steps will help you understand what happens in your body.

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How Does A Doctor Diagnose The Cause Of Wheezing

If you visit your doctor with wheezing symptoms, theyll likely begin by giving you a physical exam to rule out possible health conditions. If your doctor finds abnormalities with your lungs and airways, theyll measure how much air moves in and out as you breathe with lung function tests.

Before and after performing pulmonary tests, your doctor will have you take a medication called a bronchodilator that opens up your airways. Theyll use special medical devices that you breathe into to perform the following tests:

• Spirometry. This measures how well your lungs function compared to healthy lungs.
• Peak flow. This test that measures how hard you can breathe out. If your airways are narrowing, this number will be lower than expected.

Additional tests to diagnose the cause of wheezing include:

Your doctor will analyze the results of your tests to arrive at the appropriate diagnosis.

If they suspect you have allergies, your doctor may ask you to keep a detailed diary of the foods you eat, symptoms, and possible allergy triggers other than food. If diagnostic tests suggest you have asthma, your doctor will classify its severity using a symptom-based scale:

Treatment plans for allergies and asthma vary. When addressing wheezing as a symptom of allergies or asthma, it can be minimized with medications or the use of an inhaler.

Alternative Pet Ideas For Children With Asthma

If your children love animals but can’t keep a household pet, here are some other ways they could feel connected to an animal:

• Sponsor an animal through a zoo, safari park or charity scheme.
• Get your child a substitute pet such as an interactive toy like a Furby or Little Live Pet, or an animal app. Virtual pets let children feel like theyre caring for an animal without the risk of triggering asthma symptoms.

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Could It Be A Cold

When youre unsure whether youve contacted an allergic trigger, its natural to wonder, “Why do I keep sneezing? Is it allergies or a cold?” Take our allergies versus cold quiz to find out which one you may have. One clue is the duration of the symptoms. A cold typically lasts less than 14 days, but allergy symptoms can persist for as long as youre exposed to the trigger, which could be a short amount of time or could stretch into weeks or months.5

Reduce Your Exposure To Pollen

The best way to reduce your allergies is to avoid exposure to pollen. Here are some tips:

• Keep a close eye on the pollen index, especially if youre planning an outdoor activity.
• Keep your windows closed, to avoid letting pollen into the house, even if you have screens.
• Use the dryer to dry your clothes, towels and bed sheets.
• Do your outdoor activities later in the day , or take advantage of rainy days .
• After spending time outdoors, take a shower and wash your hair. Pollen tends to accumulate in our hair. Wash your clothes as well.

Read Also: How Do You Get Tested For Mold Allergies

What Can I Do At Home To Treat Wheezing

There are a number of ways you can improve your wheezing:·

• Breathing exercises have been shown to help relax your airways if youre asthmatic. Practice yoga breathing preferably in a moist, humid environment. If youre not familiar with prayanama breathing, any slow, deep breathing exercises will help expand your lung capacity and relax your airways.
• Drink hot herbal tea. The warmth and moisture of the tea will help relax your bronchial tubes. Some studies show green tea to have antibacterial properties as well.
• Dont smoke. Smoking irritates your lungs and inflames your airways. Avoid second-hand smoke as well.
• Use an air purifier with a HEPA filter to eliminate potential allergens in your home.
• Vaporize your air with a vaporizer or humidifier.

Causes Of Wheezing In Babies And Children

Newborns breathe only through the nose, so when they are congested or in the wrong position, they may make a wheezing or squeaking sound.

As long as they are breathing at a normal rate and the chest is not caving in, this is nothing to worry about.

If a babys chest begins caving, they are breathing rapidly, or wheezing is associated with an illness, they should be taken to a doctor or pediatrician.

When the airways narrow due to irritation, illness, or a blockage, air moving through them can make a squeaking sound.

Some people experience other symptoms as well, including discomfort when breathing or a choking sensation.

Causes include:

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How Is Wheezing Treated

The first thing your doctor may do is give you oxygen. You might need to stay in the hospital until you get better.

After that, treatment depends on the cause. Some common causes and treatments include:

Asthma. Your doctor will probably prescribe:

• A bronchodilator medication to ease inflammation and open your airways
• Leukotriene receptor antagonists to prevent asthma and allergy symptoms

Bronchitis. Your doctor will prescribe:

• A bronchodilator to open your airways
• An antibiotic to fight a bacterial infection

How To Diagnose Wheezing

The first step to discovering the cause of the wheeze is to keep track of symptoms and what caused you to wheeze. You will want to take this diary to your appointment with your physician. Your physician may ask more follow-up questions. Your physician will also listen to your lungs. This will allow the physician to see where the wheezing is and how much wheezing you are having. If you have no prior lung problems, then your physician may recommend that you have a chest x-ray done, or complete a lung function test. Depending on the cause of your wheezing, your physician may recommend a blood test or allergy skin test.

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Petting Zoos And Farms

Some people are allergic to farm animals like cows, sheep and chickens, as well as small animals that are often found in petting zoos, like guinea pigs and rabbits.

This could be a problem for children in particular, who might go on a school trip or to a party at a petting zoo or farm, but schools have to make sure that pupils with medical conditions like asthma are able to take part in school trips.

If your child is visiting a farm or petting zoo, make sure the adults who are going with them know about their asthma.

Its essential for your child to take their reliever inhaler with them, and if the school has a spare inhaler for emergency use, an adult accompanying the trip should take that with them, too.

Your child might need to take an antihistamine beforehand. They should avoid contact with the animals as much as possible, and always wash their hands after touching an animal.

Identifying And Removing Triggers

Chronic illnesses such as asthma and allergies may get worse in response to certain triggers, such as stress or allergens. Controlling these triggers, as much as possible, can help.

For instance, a person with a chronic respiratory condition who also has allergies might take allergy medication and avoid allergy triggers.

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When To See An Allergist

See an allergist if you develop unexplained wheezing that keeps coming back or along with other symptoms, such as rapid breathing or problems taking in air.

If you begin wheezing after being stung by an insect, taking medication or eating something you are allergic to, then get emergency treatment. You should also seek emergency treatment if you have difficulty breathing or your skin turns blue.

If you have mild wheezing that comes with a cold or an upper respiratory infection, you might not need treatment.

When Should I Go To The Emergency Room

If your skin, mouth or nails are turning blue, then you arent getting enough air into your lungs. This is a medical emergency and you should have a family member or friend take you to the nearest urgent care or emergency room. If youre alone, call 911 and describe your breathing.

If you suddenly start wheezing after a bee sting, after you take a new medication or eat a new food, that could indicate an allergic reaction and you should go to the emergency room immediately.

Whatever the cause of your wheezing, there are things you can do to get relief. Follow your healthcare providers directions, dont smoke, take all medications as prescribed and run a vaporizer or humidifier to moisten the air. Doing all of these things will help you breathe easier.

Last reviewed by a Cleveland Clinic medical professional on 09/24/2020.

References

Recommended Reading: What Triggers Allergies In The Winter

Is Wheezing Common With Allergies

Environmental allergies can affect your airway in unique ways: Allergic rhinitis affects your nose and sinuses, and may cause sneezing, congestion, and an itchy nose and eyes. Asthma mainly affects your lungs, and may cause coughing, wheezing, chest tightness, shortness of breath or rapid breathing.

When To Seek Medical Help

You should contact a doctor if you notice wheezing for the first time, if it keeps returning, or if you notice any of the following:

• If you feel a tightness in your chest
• If your wheezing is accompanied by fever
• If you have cough
• If you experience shortness of breath
• If you experience chest pain
• If you notice a bluish tinge around your mouth, skin and nails
• If you see swelling in your legs and cannot trace out a reason for it
• If your lips or tongue gets swollen
• If your breathing becomes rapid
• If you lose your voice1

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Asthma Holding Chamber Or Spacer

A valved holding chamber is a handheld device that attaches to a metered-dose inhaler . It captures the medicated mist as it sprays out. The medication is trapped long enough inside the holding chamber to be inhaled at your own speed. It also pulls out large particles of medication and prevents them from settling in your mouth or throat.

A spacer is like a valved holding chamber, but it does not suspend the medication. So, when using it you must coordinate your breath to begin slightly before actuating the MDI.

Holding chambers are available for use with and without masks. Masks are often essential for children, the elderly, or some disabled people. Anyone who cannot close their lips securely around the mouthpiece should use a mask. Anyone who needs to take several breaths to inhale the medication fully should use a mask.

How to use a spacer or holding chamber