Do Allergies Make Asthma Worse?

 

I store tissues like a squirrel stores nuts. 

I have tissues EVERYWHERE and buy tissues in bulk (not kidding). I have a box in the living room, a box in my bedroom, a box in my office - plus travel side packs of tissues in my car, purse, and in every jacket I own. 

This time of year is awful. In my area, the tree pollen is in the RED (or high) category. The trees have been blooming for months, because we have had a very mild and unseasonably warm winter. 

And now, just for fun, grass pollen is in the YELLOW (medium) category.  

So now there are two major sources of pollen blooming at the same time. 

Do I sound and feel like a snotty little two year old? Yes.

Are my allergies impacting my asthma? Also yes. 

How do allergies (hay fever) make asthma worse?

Many of the people with allergies also have asthma. Lucky us! They go together like peanut butter and jelly. Like macaroni and cheese. 

Many of the things that cause hay fever symptoms can also trigger asthma symptoms. One of those triggers is pollen. I really hate you pollen. 

Your body may see something harmless (like pollen) as a invader. Your body rallies the troops (your immune system) to get rid of the invader. The troops can release chemicals that cause allergy symptoms like:

• Itchy eyes
• Runny nose 
• Congestion in the nose
• Skin reactions 

For some of us, this reaction from our body can also effect the airways and lungs - making our asthma worse. 

My Asthma Doc (RIP), always told us that controlling our allergies would help control our asthma. 

Treating allergies 

Not only did he tell us to use allergy nose spray (and anti-inflammatory), but to also take an over the counter "2nd generation" allergy pill. The 2nd generation antihistamines work for 24 hours and have less side effects than the antihistamine I took as a kid. 

Of course that's not enough for our family's allergies, so all 5 of us also had allergy shots. You really get used to the shots after a while...... 

He also taught us to:

• Keep windows closed in the house and car to keep the pollen out
• Stay inside on windy days 
• Shower/take a bath before bed to remove pollen from our hair and skin
• Wash our sheets once a week
• Use a standing air purifier 
• Take our shoes off at the front door   

Are there any tips I missed to protect you and your house from pollen?

I hope you are all doing okay with allergies and asthma. I keep hoping the worst of pollen season will be over soon, but no luck yet. 

If you are miserable with allergies and asthma, call your doctor to make sure you are taking the right meds and dose for your allergies and asthma. 

Let's hope pollen season ends soon! 

Hugs, 

Andrea