Allergies and asthma don’t always go hand in hand, but most people who have asthma also have allergies. Those allergies can trigger breath-stealing asthma attacks.

Things like pollen, mold, and animal dander can set off an allergic reaction in some people that results in hives, itching, sneezing, and wheezing. When this reaction occurs in the chest, it’s called asthma. In the lungs, allergic reactions cause spasms and thick, sticky mucus. When an asthmatic has an attack, his lungs feel clogged and twitchy, and his chest feels tight.

Though not all people with asthma have allergies, those who do should identify their allergic triggers and avoid them.

Some of the more common asthma triggers to avoid:

• Foods like chocolate, nuts, shellfish, and eggs.
• Beverages like orange juice, beer, wine, and milk.
• Mold spores and pollen. When pollen counts are high, try to stay indoors as much as possible.
• Dander from pets such as cats, dogs, hamsters, and rabbits. If you can’t bear to part with your family pet, try to keep it outside and bathe it often.
• Feather pillows, down comforters, and wool clothing. Use smooth blankets on your bed.
• Dust. Damp dust and damp mop instead of using brooms that raise dust. Use washable fabrics for curtains and rugs.
• Cleaning products like bleach and furniture polish.

Avoiding your triggers may help you avoid the chest-squeezing experience of an asthma attack.

Source: Allergy and Asthma, American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology, Milwaukee (1995)

Asthma Triggers

Allergic Asthma

Allergic asthma is believed to be the most common form of asthma affecting over 10 million asthma sufferers worldwide. Over 3 million children under age 18 suffer from allergic asthma. Allergic asthma is characterized by symptoms that are triggered from some type an allergy. Allergy related asthma is airway obstruction and inflammation that can be controlled with medication. Indoor related allergic asthma can occur when allergens that are commonly found indoors are inhaled into the nose and the lungs thus causing an allergic reaction.

Indoor Air Allergens

• Cat or dog dander
• Dust mite feces
• Mold spores
• Dead insect parts
• Pesticide dust
• Household dust
• and much more

Symptoms of allergic and non-allergic asthma can be similar:

• Coughing
• Wheezing
• Shortness of breath or rapid breathing
• Chest tightness

However, the major difference between allergic asthma and asthma is that an asthma attack can be triggered by inhaled allergens such as dust mites, pet dander, pollen, mold and other airborne triggers thus resulting in asthma symptoms.

Controlling allergies and asthma in public can be quite challenging, however controlling them while at home in very manageable.  It is important to learn about the methods and technologies available to reduce indoor air triggers in your own home environment.  Inside your home is the only environment which you have full control over your environment. After all it is the place we sleep and spend most of our most time; why shouldn’t it be free of allergy and asthma symptoms.

Technology to the Rescue

Utilizing the proper technology combined with the knowledge of how to use that technology will make the greatest reduction of asthma causing allergens in the home environment. Many asthma allergens fall into the broad category of airborne particles which must be removed from the environment on an ongoing basis. High Efficient Particle Air (HEPA) filter technology can drastically reduce asthma symptoms within days from their initial use. However, HEPA filtration devices must be used regularly to keep the asthma causing allergens at bay.

About the author:

Stan K. Hall is a recognized specialist in Indoor Air Pollution as well as Health & Safety in the home. He has performed over 400 indoor environmental evaluations over the past 26 years and has helped hundreds of homeowners make their homes a haven. He is widely known as the originator of T.E.A.M., the scientifically proven approach to controlling and resolving indoor air pollution. You can read more about allergies and asthma at his web site: Sick House Doctor.

breathing techniques for children with asthma and allergies

Toddlers Asthma

Toddlers asthma is a chronic inflammatory health condition of the bronchial airways in young children.  Statistics show that more than half of toddlers who have asthma also have allergy symptoms. This inflammation can cause the normal function of a small child’s airways to become swollen and can over produce mucus in the lung tissues. If asthma symptoms become severe, acute shortness of breath and low blood oxygen can occur. Asthma in toddlers is a major concern for many parents around the world.

It is believed that over 50 percent of asthma symptoms in toddlers and small children are due to allergic reactions from pollutants found in the home. The most common allergic pollutant in the home is the dust mite and the protein produced by their feces.

Causes of Childhood Asthma

1. Allergic reactions
2. Non-allergic reactions from airborne irritants
3. Viral respiratory conditions

Childhood Asthma Statistics

Asthma is considered to be the leading cause of chronic illnesses of children within the United States. In 2007, 7.2 million children under age 18 (over 1.5 million under age 5) are believed to have serious asthma symptoms. As many as 2 million children are considered to be at risk from undiagnosed asthma.

What is Hidden Asthma?

Hidden asthma is a common enigma for many health care providers and is a common concern for parents of a child believed to have asthma. Many times the parents of a toddler or young child with hidden asthma symptoms are told to limit their child’s activity levels until the exact diagnosis can be made.

Make Your Home a Haven with HEPA

There are thousands of airborne pollutants which can be found in the home such as pollen, mold spores, dust mites and household dust. However, it is the small (sub-micron) particles which cause the most asthma symptoms while at home. These small particles are between 5 to 50 microns in size and particles fewer than 10 microns account for over 97% of all particles within a typical home by count. A small child or toddler may breathe in as much as 6,500 quarts of air per day. This is why it is important to control these small particles in the home environment and especially in the bedroom where the child sleeps. The regular use of a HEPA vacuum and a portable HEPA air purifier in the room where the toddler or small child spends the greatest amount of their time will greatly reduce these asthma causing pollutants. I have had many clients in the past 26 years who have had great results in reducing their child’s asthma symptoms with regular use of HEPA cleaning devices. Utilizing HEPA technology in the proper manner along with the appropriate asthma medication can minimize a child’s symptoms while at home.

About the author:

The Sick House Center is a resource and information center about indoor air pollution and other related issues. Read more Asthma Prevention tips at the Sick House Center.

Obedient Toddler Using Asthma Inhaler

Fish allergies are actually caused by a protein contained in the flesh of fish and even fish oils and gelatin may trigger allergies if they have been contaminated by the proteins from the fish meat. The most common fish allergy reaction to a fish allergy are similar to other food allergies  effecting the skin, digestive system, and respiratory system. Specifically, there could be presence of urticaria (hives), eczema, and angioedema (swelling), itching, upset stomach, loose stools, vomiting, cramps, gas, vomiting, nasal congestion, shortness of breath, wheezing, asthma, heart burn, lightheadedness, or fainting.

Many people who cannot eat fish can consume shellfish without an allergic reaction and vice-versa.  The most common symptom of a fish allergy is considered to be ‘oral allergy syndrome’, which the mouth and lips may tingle or swell after eating fish or fish containing products. Fortunately, fish is usually not a ‘hidden ingredient’ in food.

Many people are concerned about an allergy to fish or shellfish and iodine. However, fish or shellfish allergy sufferers do not need to worry about cross reactions with iodine.

Preventing Fish Allergies

• When dining out or eating foods prepared by others, extra precautions should taken.  If needed, check if the chef uses the same skillet to cook both meat and fish.
• Watch out for condiments, sauces, or dressing that may contain fish proteins which may include worcestershire sauce, bouillabaisse, fumet (fish stock), caviar, roe (fish eggs), or imitation seafood often used in sushi.
• Most omega-3 supplements can cause a allergic reaction and should be avoided.
• Avoid all foods containing fish gelatin or anchovies and surimi (imitation crabmeat) which contains white fish.
• Fish protein may become airborne during cooking and can create an allergic reaction.
• It is possible to have a allergy reaction by walking through a fish market.

Allergy Causing Fish

Fish allergies are typically caused by specific kinds of bony and scaly fish listed below:

• Cod
• Salmon
• Trout
• Herring
• Sardines
• Bass
• Orange roughy
• Swordfish
• Halibut
• Tuna
• Haddock
• Mackerel
• and others

Related Post: Shellfish Allergies.

About the author: Regina M. Smith is a food critic in St. Louis Missouri and writes a food related column in local restaurant publications.

Healthy Food Choices for Fish Allergies

How to deal with spring allergies?

Now that spring is really here, I have a lot of allergic reactions to pollen in the air. My eyes get red and itchy and my nose is stuffy and sneeze a lot. If you spend much time outside, my face and eyes get red and swollen. What can I do about it?

I already have the eye drops, but they take a long time to work, and in the evenings, my eyes still get really ITCHY. (I use contact lenses by the way.)

Best Answer:

Spring allergies are primarily caused by the pollination of trees such as oaks, elms, poplars, sycamores and maples. As the season progresses, pollinating grasses can also trigger allergy responses.

Here are a few of the best over-the-counter (OTC) and prescription medication which are the most effective at reducing spring allergy symptoms:

• Antihistamines, such as Claritin, Zyrtec and Allegra work well by blocking the release of histamine, a chemical produced by your immune systems over-reaction to airborne allergens.

• Nasal steroids, like Beconase, Flonase, Nasacort, Nasonex, Rhinocort, and Veramyst will reduce inflammation and treat that runny nose brought on by seasonal or year-round allergies.

• Leukotriene modifiers, such as Singular work by blocking the effects of leukotrienes, which is another chemical produced nu the immune system in response to an allergen.

Before using any other the medications above, it is wise to talk to your doctor or better yet, consult with an allergy professional as to what allergy medications are best for your symptoms.

Source: Yahoo Answers

Early in spring, trees such as oaks, elms, poplars, sycamores, and maples are the biggest sources of pollen. As the season progresses, pollinating grasses often trigger symptoms. By late summer or early fall, weeds, especially ragweed, are producing large quantities of pollen.

Combating Spring Allergies – Alvarado Hospital