If you have asthma, indoor allergies can put you at an increased risk of an asthma attack. There’s a close connection between allergies and asthma, making it especially important for asthma sufferers to be mindful of allergy triggers.
Read on to learn more about the link between indoor allergies and asthma.
What Are Indoor Allergies?
Indoor allergies are triggered by allergens found indoors. Common indoor allergens include:
- Pet dander
- Dust mites
- Pollen
- Mold
- Cockroaches
Reactions to these allergens can cause symptoms including:
- Cough
- Sneezing
- Runny nose
- Sore throat
- Congestion
- Itchy, watery eyes
These allergens can build up on surfaces in your home, live in bedding and upholstery, and even circulate throughout your home via your HVAC system, so keeping your home clean and regularly changing your HVAC filter can help minimize indoor allergies.
How Indoor Allergies Can Affect Asthma
Many types of allergies, including indoor allergies, can trigger asthma attacks. Allergies and asthma are closely linked, and allergens can cause both allergy symptoms and asthma symptoms. In addition to exacerbating an existing case of asthma, indoor allergens can also increase the chance that you’ll develop asthma.
Asthma symptoms aren’t the same as allergy symptoms. Asthma symptoms include:
- Wheezing
- Coughing, especially at night and early in the morning
- Shortness of breath
- Chest tightness
- Chest pain
Allergens that are inhaled are the most likely to be asthma triggers. All of the indoor allergens listed earlier in this article are inhaled, putting asthma sufferers at an increased risk for an asthma attack. Minimizing contact with indoor allergens is the best way to avoid allergy and asthma symptoms, so make sure to keep your home clean. This includes bedding, carpeting, curtains, upholstery, couch covers, surfaces, and ducts.
If you’re struggling with allergies and/or asthma, the experts at Kratz Allergy & Asthma can develop a treatment plan to help you achieve relief. Contact us today to learn more.