Ask Asthma Expert/Allergy Specialist/ Allergist
Step 1: Verify the symptoms you are experiencing:
Most common symptoms of asthma include:
- Coughing
- Wheezing
- Chest tightness
- Respiratory distress
Verify symptoms of allergy
- Sneezing
- Runny nose
- Itchy nose
- Stuffy nose
- Watery eyes
- Itchy eyes
- Sore or scratchy throat
- Dark circles under the eyes
- Frequent headaches
- Extremely dry, itchy skin
- Hives
- Fatigue
Step 2: Attend any medical facility / Allergist’s Chamber.
Bring all past medical records. Tell your physician about the symptoms.
Step 3: Do Pulmonary function test.
Your physician may advise you to do certain test.
Most common laboratory test includes the following:
- Pulmonary function
- Skin test/Skin Prick Test (SPT)
- Blood test to detect allergen-specific IgE
Step 4: Follow medication as prescribed by your physician.
Your Allergist most probably prescribe any of the following medication
MDI can be used with or without a spacer device. In infant and child a face mask is necessary along with spacer device. MDI should be used with spacer whenever it is possible.
Reliever / Rescue medications-
These medications are those which quickly relax airways and thereby relieve the symptoms of asthma. These include: short-acting beta-agonists (SABA) medication like salbutamol or levosalbutamol. They can be used as and when required basis.
Controller medications-
These medicine are taken daily as a maintenance therapy. They reduce airway inflammation, control symptoms, reduced asthma exacerations and improve the lung function. These include inhaled corticosteroids (ICS) like
- budesonide,
- fluticasone,
- mometasone
- beclomethasone etc.
Combination Therapy-
Combined inhalers contain an inhaled corticosteroid and a long-acting beta-agonist (LABA) medicine. Combination medications include
- fluticasone and salmeterol,
- budesonide and formoterol,
- mometasone and formoterol.
Leukotriene modifiers drugs like montelukast, zafirlukast.
Allergy medications include-
Antihistamines: the most common medicine used for allergy. These medicines are effective in mild to moderate allergic reactions. This medicines can be given if there are symptoms of allergy along with asthma.
You can ask a question on Allergy by filling up the following form. This is for a further opinion from the expert. But please remember that a personal contact with any Allergist / Physician is the best for any patient. Any internet advice is not the substitution of any medical condition. It may take time to respond to each and every query.
