Can Controlling Allergies Help Control Asthma?

 

It's that time of year again when I feel like a snotty little 2 year old.   

I have a constant runny nose, I'm congested, sneezing, have itchy eyes, and I have a box of tissues at the ready.  I'm also coughing - a LOT. 

I have been using more of my albuterol inhaler than I normally do. Even though I haven't missed any doses of my daily, anti inflammatory inhaler doses.

Hello tree pollen!

Many people don't realize that trees have pollen. If your allergies are acting up this time of year, it's not from spring flowers - it's probably from tree pollen. 

Do you have a yellow dust covering your car? You can thank tree pollen for that. 

How are allergies and asthma related?

Most of people with asthma have allergic asthma - which means our body over reacts to common every day things, and that can trigger an asthma attack. 

Common asthma triggers (allergens and irritants) are:

 

• Acid reflux
• Air pollution
• Change in weather (cold to hot, or dry to humid)
• Cleaning supplies
• Cold air
• Cold food and drinks
• Colds/RSV/COVID
• Dander
• Dust
• Dust mites
• Exercise 
• Exhaust from cars or buses
• Hormones
• Humidity
• Medicine 
• Mold
• Paint fumes
• Perfume
• Pests (cockroaches, mice)
• Pets (dogs and cats)
• Pollen
• Pollution
• Stress
• Strong emotions
• Strong scents (candles, incense, essential oils) 
• Thunderstorms
• Tobacco smoke
• Vaping
• Wildfire smoke  
  

It's a long list of things that can make our body over-react and trigger an asthma attack. Sigh.

  Avoiding triggers, especially anything you are allergic to, can help control your asthma. 

Controlling pollen 

Check the pollen count in your area. If it's a high pollen count, you may want to limit time outside (or exercise indoors). 

Wash your hair before bed. This is a trick my asthma doc taught me when my kids were little. If you go to bed covered in pollen, you'll be in for a rough night. We shower before bed to remove pollen during high pollen season.

 Take your daily allergy pills - and start on them BEFORE pollen season is in full swing.

Take your allergy nose spray - this steroid goes right to the nose and can help with  swelling, congestion, sneezing and a runny nose.

Keep your windows closed -  Yes, I know it's a beautiful time of year and a spring breeze is welcome after the winter doldrums. But the breeze will also bring in pollen into your house or apartment.

 Wash your bedding once a week - clean sheets that are free from pollen, dust or pet dander can help your allergies and asthma.

Use an air purifier - we have used air purifiers for the last 25 years. I can see them working to clean the air when the light changes from green to red. They seem to keep the air inside out home healthy. 

If you are miserable from tree pollen, try out some of these tips and let me know what you think!