The Relationship Between Asthma And Child Allergies

Childhood asthma is a condition that is both directly related to and entirely separate from child allergies; understanding the relationship between childhood asthma and child allergies is an important step in the treatment and management of both conditions.

Is Asthma An Allergy?

Asthma is a condition which affects the lungs and airways and restricts the ability of the child to breathe properly.  Asthma causes inflammation of the airways which may be exacerbated by congestion, limiting the ability of the body to intake adequate air.  Narrowed air passages result in the symptoms of an asthma attack, which include:

• Coughing
• Night-time cough
• Wheezing (a whistling sound in the lungs when breathing)
• Excessive movement of the belly when breathing
• Pulling in (“tugging”) at the base of the neck while breathing
• Difficulty breathing
• Tightening of the chest

Decreased air-intake results in a lowering of the blood oxygen levels, which can impact energy and in fact become life threatening; inhaled and/or oral steroids and asthma medications are needed to reduce inflammation and restore proper breathing.  When oxygen levels are low, inhaled oxygen may be necessary.

Asthma in itself is not an allergy, but allergies can cause asthma attacks to occur.  An asthma attack may be triggered by an allergic reaction.  Common allergens which affect child asthma and child allergies include:

• Mold
• Dust mites
• Pollen
• Cockroaches
• Cat and/or dog allergens

Some children with allergies may exhibit asthma-like symptoms, but may not be diagnosed as having asthma.  In order to be categorized as having asthma, a history of asthma needs to be established.  This can take multiple attacks, but this does not mean your child’s asthma and child allergies will not be treated—treatment of child asthma and allergies is necessary to restore proper lung function.

Additionally, some symptoms of asthma may be present in children with allergies without the presence of asthma; these include coughing and wheezing.

Treating Allergy-Related Allergy Attacks

Any time breathing is compromised, steps must be taken to restore full-lung and airway function.  This is regardless of the diagnosis of asthma.

The treatment of asthma and child allergies will include both treatment to stop the allergic reaction (usually through medication such as a chemical blocker, decongestant, or both) and treatment to restore airway function.  Oral or inhaled steroids are often chosen to reduce airway inflammation.  More than one type of steroid is usually needed, one a fast-acting rescue medication which is re-administered every few hours to maintain an open airway, and one a long-acting drug that eliminates the inflammation over a period of days.  These may be given orally, in an inhaler, or intravenously depending on the severity of the attack.

Following an asthma and child allergy attack, a maintenance regimen will likely be established including instructions to follow in the event of a future attack.  The regimen may consist of allergy-preventing medications, asthma prevention medications, or both, or combination medications may be used which are effective at managing both asthma and allergies.

With allergies and child asthma, the focus will be placed more on asthma-management unless allergies are severe, as essential lung-function is always paramount to moderate allergy symptoms.

In addition to medical interventions, parents should learn what their child’s allergy triggers are and take steps to reduce or eliminate exposure.  Good allergy management can negate the need for chronic asthma medication and/or steroid use.

For obvious reasons, it is important for parents of children with asthma and child allergies to locate a good doctor whom they trust and feel comfortable with.  Oxygen is the essential elixir of human life, and without the ability to intake oxygen at optimal levels, a child’s health will suffer, and can be threatened in the case of severe asthma and allergy attacks.  A good asthma and child allergy management plan is a must for children suffering from asthma or asthma-like symptoms.

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