Respiratory Allergies: what it is, symptoms and treatment

Respiratory allergies are manifestations of the respiratory system in response to intolerance to a certain substance, such as dust, pollen, or the hair of certain animals. These allergies are very common and can appear at any age. The body acts against a specific substance, the allergen.

The most common allergens in respiratory allergies are pollen, dust, mold and animal hair or dander. Depending on each case, symptoms may affect the upper or lower respiratory tract and usually manifest as asthma or allergic rhinitis.

The most common allergens are pollen, dust, mold, and animal hair or dander,
mold and animal hair or dander.

Prognosis of the disease

Currently, there is no cure for respiratory allergies. However, there are treatments that can help alleviate the symptoms in order to have the least possible impact on patients’ lives.

What are the symptoms of respiratory allergies?

The most common manifestations are rhinitis, bronchial asthma, and alveolitis. The main symptoms are:

Nasal congestion.
Itching in the throat.
Itching in the nose.
Mucus.
Coughing and wheezing.

Medical tests for respiratory allergies

The specialist will perform an allergological study to be able to diagnose the allergies you suffer from, as well as the possible triggers. Some tests are:

Skin tests: they are usually performed with the prick technique, so they are painless, fast, reproducible and sensitive and are practically risk-free for the patient.
Blood and secretion tests: they check for allergy markers such as increased eosinophil leukocytes or increased immunoglobulin. They also measure the level of IgE antibodies specific for pollens, fungi, mites, animal epithelia.
Mucosal provocation tests: the relationship between exposure to the allergen and symptoms is verified, using the allergens supposedly involved in a controlled manner.

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Causes of respiratory allergies

The origin of allergies is a combination of genetic and environmental factors. In many cases the genetic component plays a role, as well as the level of exposure to the potential allergen.

Can it be prevented?

It is necessary to avoid exposure to those allergens that cause symptoms. Other recommendations to prevent respiratory allergies are to ventilate the house during the day, clean the furniture with a damp cloth, wash sheets, curtains and bedspreads frequently, avoid having stuffed animals, carpets or books accumulated, avoid places that concentrate pollen such as parks, rural environments…

Treatments for respiratory allergies

Once the allergy has been diagnosed, the treatment is based on different options:

Avoiding exposure to the allergen: in cases such as allergies to animal epithelia may be sufficient to control the allergy. However, it is impossible to avoid it in most environmental allergens such as mites, fungi and pollens, where hygienic measures need to be taken.
Medications: drugs such as antihistamines, inhaled bronchodilators or anti-inflammatory drugs are administered.
Desensitizing immunotherapy: it is considered the most complete treatment and is performed by means of anti-allergic vaccines.

Which specialist treats it?

The specialist in Allergology treats cases of respiratory allergies.

Index

What are respiratory allergies?