Ask Asthma Expert

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

Metered dose inhaler (MDI)

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.

CFAA