Can Hay Fever Trigger An Asthma Attack?
Hay fever is a bothersome condition that can leave you sneezing and coughing. If you have asthma, though, controlling hay fever becomes a more urgent issue. To help you understand the connection between asthma and hay fever, here is what you need to know.
What Impact Does Hay Fever Have on Asthma?
Hay fever is a response to your exposure to allergens, such as pollen. When you experience a reaction, your nose becomes irritated and inflamed. Your throat and mouth can even start to feel itchy and, in some instances, you can experience minor trouble breathing.
When you also suffer from asthma, your reaction to allergens is worse. For instance, when you are exposed to pollen, your body naturally releases histamine. The histamine is responsible for helping to expel allergens from your body, which is why you start to sneeze and cough. Unfortunately for you, histamine is also an enemy to your asthma.
The sneezing caused by the histamine can leave your airways moistened and warmer than usual. When you take a breath, colder air is pulled into your airways, which pushes them to react. The reaction is often an asthma attack.
What Can You Do?
The most important step you can take to prevent an asthma attack is to get your hay fever symptoms under control. There are severeal treatment options available, including the use of a fluticasone nasal spray. The spray is a steroid that helps to control your body's response to allergens so that histamine production is not kicked into overdrive.
The spray also helps to keep your nasal passages from becoming inflamed, which means they are less likely to be congested. Less congestion means that your airways are clearer and your body can still get the oxygen it needs without triggering an asthma attack.
In addition to using the spray, you can practice allergen avoidance. Avoiding pollen completely might not be possible, but you can lessen your exposure to it. For instance, limit your time outdoors during those times when the pollen count is highest. You should also wash your clothes and bathe as soon as you go home for the day. Keeping the clothes on will only help to track the pollen throughout your home.
Talk to your doctor about other ways you can protect your health and prevent an asthma attack. He or she can provide you with recommendations that are specific to you and your condition. For more information, contact local professionals like Dymista.
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