When to Consider a New Treatment for Allergic Asthma

Asthma attacks are increasing

If your asthma symptoms worsen or increase, it’s time to talk to your doctor. Increasing frequency or intensity of symptoms is a clear indication that your current treatment plan isn’t working well enough.

A new treatment might help you better manage the condition. Lifestyle changes, such as avoiding allergens that trigger symptoms, can also make a significant difference.

Medication is less effective

There are several medications available to help treat and prevent allergic asthma flares. If you notice your symptoms getting worse despite taking your prescribed medications, talk to your doctor.

Some medications address both allergies and asthma. Your doctor may suggest:

• allergy shots to help reduce the immune system’s response to allergens
• anti-immunoglobulin E (IgE) therapy or other biologic medications, which help reduce allergic responses in the body that lead to an asthma attack
• leukotriene modifiers, another medication option that helps prevent allergic responses that trigger asthma attacks

Symptoms are interfering with daily routines

If allergic asthma is starting to interfere with your daily routine, talk to your doctor.

If you find it difficult to go to work, school, the gym, or to take part in other activities you used to enjoy, you need to find new options to manage your condition.

When asthma is well managed with the right treatment plan, it shouldn’t interfere so much with your day-to-day life.

You’re using certain medications too frequently

If you have allergic asthma, you likely have a fast-acting rescue inhaler to help manage asthma symptoms at the first sign of an attack.

But if you need to use your rescue inhaler more than twice a week, it’s time to see your allergist to discuss a change in treatment, says the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology.

Using a rescue inhaler that often is a sign that your condition needs to be better managed.

If you regularly take any other asthma or allergy medications, it’s best to stick to the recommended dose and frequency. If you find you’re exceeding that dose or frequency, talk to your doctor about whether the medication is working well enough.

You have a bad reaction to your medications

Anytime you take a medication, there’s always a small risk of side effects. In most cases, the side effects are mild. Common side effects to asthma medications are:

• headache
• jitteriness
• hoarse throat

But if the side effects become more severe or cause you to miss out on regular activities, talk to your doctor about switching medications.

There may be other medications that work better for you with fewer or less severe side effects.

You notice new or changing triggers

Allergic asthma can change over time. It’s possible that you could develop new allergies as you get older.

If you do develop new allergies, your triggers for an allergic asthma attack could change. This means you need to stay aware of your allergies and note when a new substance causes a reaction.

It may be difficult or even impossible to self-diagnose new allergies. It’s best to see an allergist to test what triggers your symptoms. This type of doctor specializes in allergies and asthma.

From there, you may need to update your treatment plan to better address your new allergies.

Most people don’t outgrow allergic asthma. According to the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America, some people may outgrow their asthma symptoms if they were caused by viral infections.

But if allergies cause you to have sensitive airways, you’re less likely to outgrow the condition.

Still, you may find that your symptoms start to improve and you need less intervention over time. If this is the case, you can talk to your doctor about potentially reducing your medications.

Always seek medical advice before making a change to your treatment plan.

You notice additional symptoms

With allergic asthma, your body’s allergic response to an allergen triggers asthma symptoms. You may also experience additional allergy symptoms, such as:

• watery eyes
• runny nose
• headache

Some medications address these types of allergy symptoms.

If allergy symptoms are increasing in intensity or interfering with your daily activities, talk to your doctor. They can advise you about treatments to better manage the symptoms and help you feel better.

The takeaway

Allergic asthma can change over time. It’s important to recognize the allergens that trigger your symptoms and take steps to avoid them.

If you notice your symptoms increasing in severity or frequency, talk to your doctor about whether you might benefit from making a change to your treatment plan.

When asthma is effectively managed, it’s less likely that asthma symptoms will interfere with your daily life.