Do seasonal allergies make you blue?
For people with asthma, it can certainly feel like it. Asthma symptoms including coughing, wheezing, and tightness in the chest can make you feel like you can’t get enough oxygen. When asthma attacks are serious enough, some people really do turn blueish.
Allergic reactions can trigger seasonal asthma. The immune system abnormally responds to common seasonal irritants such as pollen or dust.
This triggers the asthma response of chronic inflammation and constriction of the bronchial passages. This breathing restriction is painful and causes the tightness in the chest, wheezing and coughing.
You can prevent serious attacks by avoiding your triggers. Read on to learn more.
What is Seasonal Asthma?
Asthma is a chronic disease of the bronchial tubes. It is an inflammation and narrowing of the breathing passages that carry oxygen to the lungs. It can be mild or it can be serious and deadly.
There are many triggers for asthma, including infection, sudden temperature change, exercise, or strong emotion. Most common, however, are allergic reaction induced asthma attacks.
A normal immune system protects you from infection. Sometimes things go a little haywire and your body attacks pollen and other allergens in a complex allergic reaction. Your immune system responds to an allergen by releasing a substance called immunoglobulin E (or IgE).
Your nose runs, your eyes grow watery and you can hear yourself wheeze. Your allergic cascade results in painful bronchial constriction. To learn more about your personal triggers and plans for treatment, consult your doctor.
Controlling Allergic Asthma
Seasonal asthma control begins with determining what your allergy triggers are. For many people, common seasonal allergies also trigger asthma symptoms. Most people who suffer from seasonal asthma are atopic and have a genetic predisposition towards allergies in general.
There are three main parts to seasonal asthma control:
- Discovery and avoidance of your allergic asthma triggers
- Monitoring asthma symptoms
- Treatment with medications
Discovering triggers in advance of a serious asthma attack is essential to reducing harm. See your allergist for a specific diagnosis. Some common allergens are:
- Molds
- Pollen
- Dust Mites
- Cockroach Proteins
- Pet Dander
- Rodent Dander
Your doctor will confirm your allergies with either a skin scratch test or a blood test. To reduce your exposure to triggering allergens try these suggestions:
- Reduce moisture levels to avoid mold spores
- Decrease dust mites with frequent vacuum cleaning
- Manage your home as a trigger-free zone
- Use an air purifier and clean the filters frequently.
Your doctor will also test your lung function to determine how severe your symptoms are. He or she might prescribe anti-allergy medications and different asthma medications for symptom control.
Certain Seasons Do Not Mean Suffering
Allergic asthma does not need to mean misery with every returning season. With proper allergy diagnosis, it is possible to remain comfortable. Seasonal asthma is controllable with avoidance of triggers and medication.
Modern air filters, dehumidifiers, and regular vacuuming reduce the number of allergens in the air.
Want to know more tips for your health? Keep reading to discover them!
