Allergic asthma
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Allergic asthma
Allergic asthma is an overreaction of the immune system to a substance (allergen) that results in symptoms of an asthma attack: difficulty breathing, wheezing, chest tightness, and coughing. Allergens that can cause allergic asthma attacks include pollen, mold, animal dander, dust mites, cockroaches, and certain chemicals.
An attack may occur from a few minutes to an hour after exposure to an allergen or as long as 4 to 12 hours later. Controlling a person's exposure to substances that trigger allergic asthma attacks may prevent the attacks or help make them less severe. In addition, there are medications to help reduce the reaction to the allergen.
Credits
| Author | Jeannette Curtis |
| Author | Caroline Rea, RN, BS, MS |
| Editor | Kathleen M. Ariss, MS |
| Editor | Susan Van Houten, RN, BSN, MBA |
| Associate Editor | Tracy Landauer |
| Associate Editor | Pat Truman |
| Primary Medical Reviewer | Patrice Burgess, MD - Family Medicine |
| Primary Medical Reviewer | Adam Husney, MD - Family Medicine |
| Primary Medical Reviewer | Kathleen Romito, MD - Family Medicine |
| Last Updated | May 25, 2007 |
| Last updated: | May 25, 2007 |
|---|---|
| Author: | Caroline Rea, RN, BS, MS |
| Reviewed By: | Kathleen Romito, MD - Family Medicine |
| Editors: | Susan Van Houten, RN, BSN, MBA, Pat Truman |
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