There are three forms of asthma; exercise-induced asthma, chemical and dust exposure asthma, and allergic asthma (aka allergy-induced asthma). According to the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America (AAFA), in excess of 25 million people in the United States have asthma. Of these more than 25 million people, approximately 60% have allergic asthma. During different seasons, asthma may flare due to the changes in the environment. For many, spring particularly can cause an increase in asthma flare-ups.
How to Manage Severe Asthma with Spring Allergies
What to Expect When it Comes to Spring and Asthma
Although many people look forward to the budding trees and blossoming flowers of spring, people who have allergies to these plants may feel differently.
When someone has spring allergies and asthma, his or her symptoms begin after being exposed to an outside trigger (i.e., an allergen). For spring allergy sufferers, once this season arrives, triggers are everywhere.
An individual who has severe allergies may be diagnosed with allergic asthma, which is a chronic condition causing airway inflammation.
Individuals who have allergic asthma could be exposed to a trigger at any time. This exposure can lead to an allergy-induced asthma attack. Therefore, it is vital that individuals with allergy-induced asthma always carry a rescue inhaler.
Symptoms associated with a spring asthma attack include:
- Coughing
- Wheezing
- Tightness in the chest
- Shortness of breath
Wheezing and shortness of breath occur due to the narrowing of the lungs’ airways. With allergic asthma, this narrowing occurs due to airway inflammation following exposure to an allergen.
Spring Allergy Induced Asthma
Once spring arrives, the trees pollinate, flowers bloom, and grasses begin to grow, all of which can wreak havoc on an individual who has spring allergies and asthma. The most common triggers for allergic asthma in the spring include pollen from grasses, trees, and weeds. As the days get longer and warmer, there are also more bugs in the spring. Aerosol bug repellant and candles can also trigger allergic asthma, so it’s best to stay away during active mosquito hours.
Some of the most common symptoms of allergy-induced asthma include:
- A sore throat
- Eyes that tear and itch
- Nasal congestion
- Wheezing or whistling sounds while exhaling
- Shortness of breath
- Coughing
- Rapid breathing
- A tight feeling in the chest
How to Manage Severe Asthma During Spring
There are a couple of ways to combat spring allergies and asthma while at home.
Keep Track of Outdoor Air Quality
Many weather apps offer information about pollen and air pollution levels from one day to the next. Consider downloading one of these apps to monitor local air quality. Furthermore, prevent the allergens outside from entering the home by keeping the windows closed.
Keep Your House Clean
Even with keeping the windows closed, outdoor allergens can still enter the home on an individual’s shoes, clothes, hair and skin. Therefore, to prevent an asthma flare-up in the spring, avoid wearing outdoor shoes inside the house, remove clothing that is worn outside and take a shower. Showering and changing clothes as soon as possible is recommended. However, if nothing else, be sure to resolve these issues before getting into bed.
Another way to reduce allergens in the home is to vacuum the floors, as well as the pieces of furniture used most frequently. Taking these actions can greatly reduce the number of outdoor allergens present in the home.
Infusions and Biologic Therapy for Severe Asthma
Many people with severe asthma find that year-round medication and maintenance treatments are highly effective in keeping their allergy and asthma symptoms at bay. There are a variety of biologic injections and infusions available, including Tezspire and Xolair, if you are struggling with at-home management. These therapies are always prescribed by a physician, most commonly an allergy and immunology specialist. A primary care physician can help get a referral to see an asthma and allergy specialist to understand if additional medications should be a part of your treatment regimen.
If you have severe asthma and have already been prescribed a biologic injection or infusion, contact your closest IVX Health center to see if our location is the right site of care for ongoing treatment, or request an appointment here.
Treatment at IVX Health
If biologics like Remicade, Actemra or Orencia are a part of your chronic illness treatment plan, then consider choosing IVX Health for your ongoing care needs. IVX Health makes it possible to receive your therapy in a comfortable, convenient, and private environment.
With a private suite for every patient, you can watch your favorite Netflix show or movie on the big screen TV in each room, use a laptop or other mobile device to surf the web, or simply hang out with family and friends. We always have chairs for guests, and each center has a family room that is spacious and private if you need to bring your kids to your treatment. We also offer flexible appointment scheduling – including evenings and Saturdays – at any of our convenient locations.
At IVX Health, we truly are invested in helping you live your best life. If you’re ready to experience a new kind of infusion clinic, click here to learn how to move your infusion or injection therapy to IVX Health.