Asthma and allergens
Asthma and allergens
People with
asthma
have sensitive airways that can react to different
triggers
in their environment. For some, ongoing exposure to triggers can cause continued inflammation (swelling and redness) and excess mucus production in the airways, making their asthma worse.
Asthma and allergic conditions
Atopy is the genetic tendency to develop allergic conditions. Many people with asthma are atopic, which means they have an increased risk of developing other allergic conditions.
Although allergies may run in families, individuals may have different allergic responses.
Some allergic reactions may include:
allergic rhinitis (hay fever)
– sneezing, blocked and runny nose, itchy eyes and throat
eczema
– dry, red, itchy skin
hives
– skin rashes
anaphylaxis
– a severe form of an allergic reaction that is potentially life-threatening.
Identifying asthma triggers
Asthma is often initially recognised by people when symptoms get worse in response to particular allergens or other
triggers
.
Everyone’s asthma is different, and everyone has different triggers. For most people with asthma, triggers are only a problem when their asthma is not well managed.
Identifying and reducing exposure to your allergen triggers may make your asthma symptoms easier to manage.
If you think you may have an allergy, keep a symptom diary to help identify triggers. Record the times and situations when your asthma is worse and then see your doctor for advice.
Your doctor may prescribe medication and give you information on how to reduce your exposure to allergen triggers. They may also update your
asthma action plan
.
Make sure you continue to use your
asthma medication
as directed and follow your asthma action plan.
Types of asthma triggers
There are 2 types of
triggers
that can flare up someone’s asthma:
Avoidable triggers
– including
cigarette smoke
,
allergens
, irritants (such as perfumes, chemicals, cold/dry air, smoke and paint) certain medicines and dietary triggers.
Unavoidable triggers
– such as
air pollution
,
exercise
, laughter, respiratory tract infections, certain medicines, certain medical conditions, extreme emotions, hormonal changes,
pregnancy
and
sexual activity
.
One of the most common triggers for asthma flare-ups is exercise and physical activity. This is one trigger not to avoid if possible. Exercise is an essential part of a
healthy lifestyle
.
Asthma induced by exercise can usually be treated effectively with the right medicine and the right plan.
The National Asthma Council Australian Asthma Handbook has
more information about asthma
triggers
External Link
.
Allergens that trigger asthma
Allergens are any substance that can bring on an
allergic reaction
. An allergic reaction occurs when your
immune system
reacts to substances in the environment that are harmless to other people.
If you are allergic to something – eating, inhaling, injecting or touching it can bring on an allergic reaction.
For someone who is sensitive to an allergen, asthma symptoms may occur when they breathe a substance into their lungs. This can make the airway lining swell and the muscles around the airway tighten. Eventually the airway may narrow and cause breathing difficulties.
Common allergic triggers for asthma include:
house dust mites
pollen
mould
animal dander, especially from pets
smoke
chemicals.
Certain types of thunderstorms
during grass pollen season can trigger rare allergic asthma.
Allergy testing for asthma
There are 2 main
allergy tests
that can help to pinpoint your allergens – skin prick tests and serum specific IgE blood tests for a protein found in your body called immunoglobulin.
Skin prick tests
Skin prick tests can be done by your GP or an allergy specialist. Small amounts of different allergen solutions, (such as pollen extract), are applied to the forearm or the back with a dropper, and the skin gently pricked with a sterile lancet. If you have a reaction to the allergen the skin swells or develops a welt.
Serum specific IgE allergy tests
Serum specific IgE allergy tests are blood tests that detect specific IgE antibodies. These antibodies are made by your body’s immune system against allergens (such as dust mites, pollens, animal dander, moulds and foods).
These skin and blood tests are not conclusive in determining asthma triggers. Just because your skin and blood react to an allergen, doesn’t mean your lungs will too. Think of these tests as a helpful ingredient for your doctor to use to assess your overall health and asthma and allergy needs.
Allergy tests can however help define the substances you are allergic to and enable a precision approach to managing that trigger.
Tests such as these should only ever be performed under the guidance of a doctor or allergy specialist.
Allergens in the workplace
There are many substances in the workplace that may cause asthma to develop, or trigger asthma symptoms in someone who already has asthma.
If you experience asthma symptoms at work, and these symptoms improve when you are away from work (such as during holidays or on weekends), you may have what is called
work-related or occupational asthma
.
Occupational asthma can occur in many types of workplaces, but is most commonly reported where people are working with flour or grains and isocyanates (chemicals which are found in paints as hardening agents).
Other substances may include wood dust, strong cleaning products, chemicals, or animal allergens.
Where to get help
Your
GP (doctor)
Pharmacist
Allergy and Anaphylaxis
Australia
External Link
Tel. 1300 728 000
Asthma
Australia
External Link
Tel. 1800 ASTHMA (278 462)
National Asthma Council
Australia
External Link
The
Royal Children’s
Hospital
External Link
– videos to help you better understand and manage your child’s asthma.