When Are You Most Vulnerable To Shortness Of Breath Allergies
During hot summer days, airborne allergies may become dangerous. High pollen counts indicate that there are tons of allergens into the air that can enter into your home and cause you to sneeze, itch and have difficulty breathing. If you have asthma or allergies that cause shortness of breath when you exercise, its even more important to protect yourself by making precautions to avoid allergens, as purifying the air that you breathe.
An allergic reaction called anaphylaxis can affect more than one part of the body and have a long list of reactions, including obstruction of your airways and make it difficult to breathe. Typically, insect bites, food allergies and medications are the allergies that cause anaphylactic reaction. However, you can decrease the amount of dust, pollen and dander from your home to prevent your immune system from going into overdrive and releasing histamines and other compounds responsible for respiratory distress.
If you value your gym time, consider not leaving the house and working out at home when your allergies are at their worst. That way you can be more attentive to your symptoms and also use an air purifier in your home gym to avoid shortness of breath and other severe allergic reactions.
How To Alleviate Allergies Causing Shortness Of Breath For Days
According to the American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology, shortness of breath can be a sign of asthma, but certain conditions can trigger shortness of breath with allergies. If you have allergies , pollen and other allergens can cause shortness of breath and other respiratory challenges for days. Airfree air purifiercan help reduce allergens in your home so you can be safer against shortness of breath allergies cause.
How To Treat It
Consult your physician before buying over-the-counter remedies for allergens. Some products may worsen your reaction and make it even harder to breathe. You may need a prescription-strength medication to control your allergies. Allergy medicine often contains decongestants, antihistamines or steroids. For some allergies, you may need immunotherapy treatment. When you have an intense allergic reaction that obstructs your airways, you may need an epinephrine injection.
Only a medical professional can diagnose and treat your asthma or allergies, and you should use prescribed medications exactly as directed for the best results. However, there are steps you can take to make your environment more comfortable.
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What Are The Symptoms Of Anaphylaxis
Symptoms usually involve more than one organ system , such as the skin or mouth, the lungs, the heart;and the gut. Some symptoms include:
- Skin rashes, itching or hives
- Swelling of the lips, tongue or throat
- Shortness of breath, trouble breathing or wheezing
- Dizziness and/or fainting
- Stomach pain, bloating, vomiting or diarrhea
- Uterine cramps
- Feeling like something awful is about to happen
Ask your doctor for a complete list of symptoms and an anaphylaxis action plan. Anaphylaxis must be treated right away to provide the best chance for improvement and prevent serious, potentially life-threatening complications.
What Are The Symptoms Of A Cold
When youve got a mild cold, the only symptoms might be a runny nose, mild sore throat and cough, and general fatigue. If your cold is more serious, you may also have body aches, and all over pains, a fever, trouble sleeping, and your cough and sore throat may be worse.;
While some of these symptoms are the same as other conditions, you wouldnt usually experience aches and pains, or a sore throat with allergies.;
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The Difference In Duration Of Symptoms
Typically, a cold lasts for around seven to 10 days, with the most severe symptoms beginning to improve after a few days. Allergies, however, if left untreated, will cause symptoms for as long as the allergen is present. So, if your cough doesnt start to get better after a week, your symptoms may not be caused by a cold.;
Asthma, on the other hand, can come and go quickly. Attacks may come on suddenly and subside quickly. Mild episodes may last for minutes, but more serious attacks can last for days.;
What Is The Treatment For Anaphylaxis
Epinephrine is the most important treatment available. Always carry two epinephrine auto-injectors so you can quickly treat a reaction wherever you are. .
- Promptly inject the medicine at the first sign of an anaphylactic reaction.;Consider carrying your anaphylaxis action plan along with your auto-injectors.
- Call 911 to go to a hospital by ambulance. You must seek medical care;immediately; even if you feel better because symptoms can recur.
- You may need other treatments, in addition to epinephrine.;
If you think you are having anaphylaxis, use your self-injectable epinephrine and call 911.Do not delay. Do not take antihistamines in place of epinephrine. Epinephrine is the most effective treatment for anaphylaxis.
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Why Is Seasonal Allergies Associated With Asthma And Wheezing
People suffering from both asthma and seasonal allergies experience symptoms because their immune systems are over-sensitive to substances normally encountered daily. This includes pollen which we typically associate with seasonal allergies.
When your body overreacts to pollen, respiratory airways become inflamed and more mucus is produced to trap the pollen particles. This causes your airways to narrow, in turn making it more difficult for you to breathe.
For many seasonal allergies sufferers this only affects the upper respiratory tract and symptoms are few and mild. However, in those who are prone to asthma, inflammation affects a larger part of the respiratory system. This leads to a greater and deeper degree of inflammation, worsening asthma symptoms.
This is when the sufferer experiences tightness in the chest. As they breathe, the air passes through these narrowed passages, and creates a whistling sound as it goes. This whistling sound is called wheezing.
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.
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How Can You Protect Yourself From Covid And Allergies
The best way to prevent allergy symptoms is to prevent or mitigate the symptoms. This could require you to avoid certain foods and medications, or to take an over-the-counter or prescribed medication to alleviate the symptoms.;
Prevention is also key with COVID, which is why social distancing and wearing a mask are so important to halt the spread of this illness.
As with any illness, if you are worried about what youre experiencing, medical professionals are standing by to help answer questions and provide the necessary treatment.Oviedo Medical Research specializes in Phase II through IV clinical trials designed to yield the medications and vaccines to take care of your health. If youre interested in joining us for a clinical trial,;contact us.
What Are The Symptoms Of Seasonal Allergies
A runny or stuffy nose, sneezing, and itchy or watery eyes are very common symptoms in people with seasonal allergies, explained Dr. Marks-Cogan, who also added that “they are rare symptoms in people with COVID-19 .” She also warned that allergic asthma can often flare during this time of year due to higher pollen counts, which can cause wheezing, cough, and shortness of breath.
People can experience seasonal allergy symptoms for weeks or months, depending on what allergens trigger their symptoms. Dr. Marks-Cogan added that seasonal allergy symptoms can worsen on days with higher pollen counts, such as on dry, windy days, or right after thunderstorms.
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How To Protect Your Lungs From Seasonal Allergies
Check the outdoor air quality levels and pollution forecasts before you venture outside. If you do go outside, scope out the environment for obvious allergy triggers.
Do gardening and lawn maintenance in the early morning or in the evening, while pollen counts are at their lowest.
Stay away from citronella candles, bug sprays, strong-smelling candles, and other seasonal products that can irritate your lungs. Opt for mosquito repellants in lotion form rather than in sprays.
Use medications as prescribed and keep your allergy medications handy.
Consult with a medical professional. Doctors can diagnose seasonal allergies, prescribe medications, and recommend imaging tests to evaluate the health of your lungs.;For more information, make an appointment today with Virtual Imaging, Inc. at .
Its Important To Minimize Exposure
Allergy testing can help identify whats triggering your allergies. Additional testing can help to confirm a diagnosis of asthma.
Once you know you have allergic asthma, identifying and avoiding its triggers will help you control your symptoms.;When possible, take measures to prevent or minimize exposure,;advises Dr. Purcell.
The same methods wont work for all allergy triggers.;For example, dust mites are not airborne but cat and dog dander is, he says.
To reduce allergens in your home, Dr. Purcell recommends:
- Minimizing or eliminating pet exposure.
- Using special dust mite covers on bedding and aiming for indoor humidity levels of 35 percent to minimize dust mite exposure.
- Eliminating food sources for cockroaches by using sealed food containers and regularly cleaning kitchen floors and surfaces.
- Changing clothes and showering after you come inside if;youre allergic to pollen, and closing doors and windows when pollen counts are high.
Although mold is more of an outdoor allergen, it can develop indoors .;Addressing the water leak, then using a diluted bleach solution or a commercial cleaning product is usually sufficient, says Dr. Purcell.
Extensive mold intrusion may require a professional mold removal service.
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Allergists Located In Dallas Tx & Plano Tx
Wheezing can be frightening for children and adults, not only due to the high-pitched sound, but because it often means theyre struggling to breathe. The board-certified physicians at North Texas Allergy & Asthma Associates can determine what causes your wheezing and prescribe treatment to relieve symptoms and prevent future attacks. Call or schedule an appointment online to visit the doctors at any of their three locations in North Texas: Texas Health Dallas, Baylor Regional Medical Center at Plano, and Baylor University Medical Center at Dallas.
- Book Online
Preventing Shortness Of Breath Due To Allergies
Its not always possible to avoid allergens that you encounter outdoors. By taking your medication, you may be able to avoid a strong allergic reaction that makes it hard to breathe. Exercising indoors when pollen counts are high or in areas where air pollution is prevalent can also help you breathe easier despite your allergies.
Frequently cleaning your home by dusting and vacuuming each week and keeping the environment dry prevents mold and other allergens from accumulating and causing respiratory issues. An Airfree air purifier can help you breathe easier , scrubbing out some microorganisms that can make you sick and trigger an allergic reaction.
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How Air Purifiers Can Help
An air purifier removes some of the contaminants and improves the quality of indoor air. Airfree products may help allergy sufferers by reducing contaminants such as organic particles that cause odor and other allergens.
Choose Airfree for a natural solution to reduce allergens and mold in your home. Our purifiers do more than cleaning the air you breathe. An Airfree purifier ;can help reducing the number of bacteria, dust mites, fungi, pollen, viruses, allergens and microorganisms, leaving behind noticeably fresher air.
Find a dealer today to determine the product that works best for your allergies.
Diagnosing The Cause Of Wheezing
Your doctor will ask you questions like:
- How long have you been wheezing?
- Does it happen when you exercise?
- Do you wheeze all the time?
- Do you wheeze more during the day, or at night?
- Does rest help control it?
- Do you wheeze when you breathe in, or out, or both in and out?
- Do you smoke?
- Do certain foods seem to cause your wheezing?
Theyâll listen to your breathing and the sounds your lungs make. They might do tests like:
- X-rays to get a picture of your lungs
- Lung function tests to see how well theyâre working
- Blood test to check your oxygen levels.
If your child is wheezing, their doctor might check to see if theyâve swallowed or inhaled something small.
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Treatment Options For Asthma
Treatment options are tailored to each childs medical situation. During a consultation, your pediatrician will work with you to find the right medications for your child, whether that be daily inhaled corticosteroids, an emergency inhaler or something else. Depending on the source of their asthma, a visit to an allergist for allergy testing also may be recommended.
Even for a child with non-allergic asthma, your pediatrician may recommend more than medication. Irritants may need to be removed from your childs environment, such as cigarette smoke or air freshener. Professional carpet cleaning or the removal of carpet altogether may help, as well as frequently changing sheets and pillow cases, or even buying a new mattress. Hypoallergenic air filters or humidifiers also may be recommended to help purify indoor air.
Fortunately, the elimination of irritants and use of appropriate treatment prescribed by your childs doctor may prevent the worsening of symptoms, or nearly eliminate symptoms altogether. Diligence in care also might prevent a parents worst nightmare: having to take a trip to the emergency room when your child is struggling to breathe. Overall, whether theyre suffering from allergic or non-allergic asthma, no child should have to be held back by their condition.
What Causes Allergies
Allergies trigger an overreaction in the immune response to things in your environment. It could be a food, pollen from plants, pet dander, or other environmental factors that cause an uncomfortable reaction in your body. When you are allergic, your immune system reacts by producing antibodies that view the pollen or dander or other allergen as a threat. This can inflame your sinuses, airways, digestive system, and skin. This can even be a life-threatening situation depending on the bodys reaction to the allergen.
Common hay fever can cause symptoms that seem similar to COVID, including coughing, sneezing, and wheezing. A food allergy can cause a tingling in the mouth or facial swelling. An insect sting can cause hives, localized swelling, and a tightness in the chest. In extreme cases, anaphylaxis can require a trip to the emergency room. You can even have an adverse reaction to a medication youre taking, which can cause some of these same symptoms. If youre having a bad reaction to food, a sting, or medication, its a good idea to see your doctor or call 911, depending upon the severity of the symptoms.
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What Is Hay Fever
People affected by hay fever experience an allergic reaction to pollenfrom plants. The type of allergic reaction involved in hay fever an allergic rhinitis reaction, which may involve a skin rash called hives, as well as coughing, sneezing and itchty, watery eyes. Allergic rhinitis is one of the atopic diseases; a set of genetically inherited conditions including asthma, atopic eczema and atopic dermatitis.
Plants produce more during the early spring and summer months. For this reason,the allergic rhinitis that occurs in hay fever can also be described as seasonal rhinitis.Both adults and children can suffer from hay fever and it is estimated to affect between40 and 60 million people in the United States.
How Asthma And Allergies Interact
Asthma is classified as either allergic asthma or non-allergic asthma. While non-allergic asthma can occur independently of any allergens, allergic asthma is triggered by certain substances, as mentioned above. Common irritants also will worsen allergic asthma, such as smoking , air pollution, air fresheners, cleaning agents and artificial fragrances.
Children who have seasonal allergies also may experience an influx of asthmatic symptoms during certain months. For instance, in spring theres more pollen in the air, which can aggravate hay fever, eczema and, of course, asthma. If your child is experiencing coughing, wheezing and/or shortness of breath in conjunction with hay fever or skin irritation, then they likely have allergic asthma.
In either case, its vital to make an appointment with your pediatrician as soon as possible to help diagnose, treat and prevent further symptoms.
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Learn How To Manage Symptoms
The good news is that todays treatments for asthma and allergies mainly medication and inhalers are very effective.
Theyre relatively easy to use and have minimal side effects, Dr. Purcell says.;When symptoms are more severe or do not respond to other measures, allergy shots is very effective.
One option that should;not;be on the table is letting allergic asthma ruin your quality of life.;The goal is to manage your condition so that it never limits the activities you love because they trigger an allergic reaction, he says.
Working with your doctor will help you find a treatment plan that works for you.
Allergies Have Chronic Symptoms
COVID-19, like the flu or common cold, is an acute illness, meaning people feel fine until symptoms start showing up.
Allergies, on the other hand, are usually chronic, presenting with symptoms off and on for weeks, months, or even years, Dr. David M. Cutler, family medicine physician at Providence Saint Johns Health Center in Santa Monica, California, told Healthline.
Allergies should not cause a fever or body aches, Arthur said. Generally, no cough unless you have a lot of nasal drainage.
Allergies may also cause wheezing, she added, especially in people with asthma.
Allergy symptoms tend to vary with the environment: worsening with exposure to dust, pollen, or animal dander, whereas cold symptoms tend to persist regardless of time of day, weather, locality, or other environmental factors, Cutler said.
Also, as with COVID-19, Colds are more likely to have generalized symptoms like fever, headache, and body aches, whereas allergies usually affect only the respiratory tract, Cutler said. Allergy symptoms tend to improve with antihistamine and other allergy-specific medication. Colds are more likely to respond to decongestants, acetaminophen, fluids, and rest.
The CDC issued guidance on the differences in symptoms between COVID-19 and seasonal allergies.
The agency noted that things such as shortness of breath, coughing, fatigue, headache, and sore throat can be symptoms of either COVID-19 or allergies.
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