Maintenance therapy is medication you better take every day to prevent symptoms and flare-ups.
You also need fast-acting treatments you’ve got the option to take when you experience symptoms.
Differences in Treating the Allergic Asthma Subtype
Asthma has several subtypes.
Trevor Williams / Getty Images
Many treatments for allergic asthma also work on other types of asthma.
Medications targeting inflammation are frequently recommended for allergic asthma because inflammation narrows the airways in this condition.
Common prescription anti-inflammatory therapies include steroids and leukotriene antagonists.
Bronchodilators work to widen the airways, reducing asthma symptoms that occur due to narrowed airways.
Immunotherapyis targeted toward reducing the allergic reaction to allergens in the environment.
Immunotherapy includes injections or treatments taken by mouth (oral).
Self-diagnosing or self-treating allergic asthma is unsafe.
OTC treatments for symptoms of allergic asthma include:
Which Treatments Work Best?
Some evidence suggests that immunotherapy may be particularly effective for some people who have allergic asthma.
Your healthcare provider can work with you to track your symptoms as you assess your response to certain treatments.
These tests can also help follow your response to treatment.
Alternatives
Avoiding the allergensthat trigger your allergic asthma is key to managing this condition.
Work with your healthcare provider to identify these allergens and learn how to avoid them.
Anair purifiermay help reduce some of the asthma-inducing particles in the air around you.
It may help reduce your exposure to certain triggers in your home.
Treatment involves identifying and avoiding the triggers and taking rescue medication when you have symptoms.
Anti-inflammatory medications are often taken.
You might also be prescribed immunotherapy.
National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute.Asthma treatment and action plan.
2020;61(4):310-316. doi:10.3349/ymj.2020.61.4.310