Allergic reaction causes most asthma attacks

Islamabad: The number of patients with allergic asthma is on the rise after the setting in of spring in this region of the country however, according to health experts, asthma attacks in most of the cases can be avoided or severity of attacks in many cases can be reduced by limiting patients’ exposure to allergens.

Both the private and public sector hospitals in the twin cities of Islamabad and Rawalpindi have been receiving significant number of patients with asthma attacks for last two weeks and most of these cases are found to be of allergic asthma.

Experts say that it is time to make public aware of the fact that most of the asthma attacks particularly among children are caused by allergic reaction and there is a lot that parents can do to avoid or reduce asthma symptoms by limiting children’s exposure to allergens at home. Adults can also take simple precautionary measures to prevent asthma attacks.

By limiting exposure to dust, a number of cases of allergic asthma can be avoided and for the purpose, there is a need to remove carpets, heavy drapes, curtains and all kinds of soft fabrics if possible, said ICU Medical Specialist at PIMS Dr. Muhammad Haroon while talking to ‘The News’.

He added that the house dust mite is present in all kinds of soft fabrics, curtains, sofa covers, bed sheets, carpets and like stuff. To minimise the bad effects, bed sheets and like stuff should be washed regularly, he said.

He said that cockroach allergy is another common trigger and requires elimination of cockroaches.

This is considered as the most common allergen for urban children with asthma and parents should do all out efforts to eliminate these from homes.

He said that smoke of all kinds, from tobacco to gasoline, can trigger asthma attack and it should be avoided by patients. Children should be kept in well ventilated rooms in smoke free environment, added Dr. Haroon.

He added that most of the people are unaware of the fact that fungal spores are another common cause of asthma attacks which are found in walls of houses that are wet and humid and provide a medium for nourishment of fungus.

He added that furred animals and stuffed toys are also big sources of allergic asthma and children should be avoided from their exposure.

To a query, he said pollens usually cause frequent allergic rhinitis and asthma is rarely caused by pollens.

The exposure can be avoided by wearing sunglasses, driving with car windows shut or use helmet on bike, avoid outdoors in afternoon and keeping windows shut at house, he said.

He added that the droppings of birds are another trigger not only cause asthma but also pneumonias that can be life threatening.

When asked what a patient should do in an acute asthma attack, Dr. Haroon said the best thing is to keep a nebulizer at home and a revolizer in your pocket.

Nebulizer is a device in which bronchodilator solution is instilled and medicine is inhaled by patient that relieves most of the symptoms. Revolizer is a small handy device that can be used anytime via pouring a capsule of medicine and inhalation.

All asthmatics should take flu and pneumonia vaccines to avoid exacerbation or attacks due to infections, said Dr. Haroon.