Dust, & Mold, & Flower Pollen: Guide to Airborne Allergies and Asthma

Allergies

Allergies are extremely common and occur when the body`s immune system is triggered by a typically harmless substance. Allergies are not contagious since it is the body`s false alarm reaction to something which is benign in nature. Airborne allergies are caused by particles within the air that cause a reaction when inhaled. Common airborne allergies include pollen, pet dander, mold spores, and dust mites. Allergies are believed to be caused by genetic and environmental factors and can suddenly occur, increase in severity, or even fade away in time. Often, allergies simply cause uncomfortable symptoms such as sneezing, watery and itchy eyes, rashes or hives, and runny nose. In more severe cases, allergies can cause an Asthma Attack or Anaphylaxis, both of which can cause death. Anaphylaxis can cause swelling, a rash and itching, troubled breathing, dizziness, and loss of consciousness. It is less common for airborne allergies to cause Anaphylaxis, but its life threatening severity demands mention. 

Allergies & Prevention

• Tips to Remember: Allergic Reactions
• Allergy Overview
• Allergens: Things You Can do to Control Your Symptoms
• Allergy Overview: Prevention 
• Preventative Strategies for Allergens and Irritants
• Anaphylaxis

Treatment

• Antihistamine Drugs
• Itching for Allergy Relief
• Allergy Shots: Could they Help Your Allergies?

For Kids and Teens

• Asthma and Allergies and their Environmental Triggers
• Teens Health: Allergies
• Kids Health: Learning About Allergies
• Teens Health: Dealing With Allergic Reactions While Babysitting
• Teens Health: Allergies - Gillian`s Story

Kids and Allergies (For Parents)

• Environmental Control Measures
• Allergy Kids Foundation
• Children’s Health Topics
• Kids Health For Parents: A Cold or Allergies?
• Kids Health For Parents: All About Allergies
• Kids Health for Parents: How Do Doctors Test for Allergies?
• Kids Health For Parents: Allergy Shots
• Kids Health For Parents: Seasonal Allergies

Organizations

• Allergy Choices
• World Allergy Organization

Asthma 

Asthma is a chronic disease that targets the lung`s airways and cause soreness and swelling. Since the airways are highly sensitive, allergic reactions are more severe to a person that suffers with Asthma. When the allergic reaction occurs, the airways constrict, allowing less oxygen to pass through. This causes troubled breathing, coughing, wheezing, and tightness of chest. In some instances, the airways constrict so much that air cannot get through at all. This is called an Asthma Attack and can be life threatening if not treated immediately. Asthma can be controlled by long-term treatments that prevent daily symptoms as well as fast action treatment to control the onset of an Asthma Attack. In order to control both types of symptoms, both types of treatments are preferred.

Prevention

• Asthma Prevention
• Prevention of Occupational Asthma 
• Regional Asthma Management and Prevention

Diagnosis/Symptoms

• What is Asthma?
• What are Lung Function Tests?
• Cough Diagnosis
• Breath of Life

Treatment, Management, & Alternative Therapy

• Alternative Treatments to Asthma
• Inhaled Steroid Drugs
• Asthma Treatment and Overview

Specific Conditions

• Nocturnal Asthma
• Asthma: Specific Diseases/Conditions

For Kids and Teens

• Kids Health: Asthma Center
• Kids and Asthma
• Teens Health: Do Allergies Cause Asthma?
• Teens Health: If I Have Asthma, Can I Keep My Pet?

Kids and Asthma (For Parents)

• Community Asthma Prevention Program
• Preventing Allergies and Asthma in Children
• Kids Health For Parents: Asthma Center
• Kids Health For Parents: Do Allergies Cause Asthma?

Organizations

• Allergy and Asthma Network
• American Lung Association
• Joint Council of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology
• Allergy/Asthma Information Association 
• American Academy of Allergy Asthma and Immunology
• Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America