How To Prevent Childhood Asthma With Immunotherapy

Asthma is one of the most prevalent chronic childhood illnesses. Astonishingly, it touches the lives of approximately 6 million children aged between 0 and 17 in the U.S. alone. Childhood asthma is a major player in emergency department visits and prolonged hospital stays.

For parents and guardians, this isn't just about numbers or statistics; it's about missed opportunities, stolen giggles, and countless anxious nights. So, the big question emerges: can immunotherapy play a role in preventing these unsettling symptoms of childhood asthma? Read on to find the answer to this question.

A Brief Overview

Childhood asthma is a chronic lung disease that affects the airways—the tubes that facilitate air's journey in and out of the lungs. While asthma can occur at any age, it usually begins early, when your child’s immune system is developing. When a child has asthma, their airways swell and narrow, impeding air passage.

This narrowing can manifest symptoms such as a whistling sound, coughing, chest tightness, and trouble breathing. Other symptoms might include reduced energy when playing, trouble feeding, shortness of breath, and retractions. When a child is exposed to certain asthma triggers, these symptoms can intensify, leading to an asthma attack.

If not managed efficiently, childhood asthma can result in missed school days, frequent visits to the emergency department, or long hospital stays. Therefore, as a guardian or parent, you should establish an asthma treatment plan, ensuring your child's condition remains under control and that complications are averted.

What Causes Childhood Asthma?

The root cause of childhood asthma remains elusive to researchers, especially because it frequently manifests during the formative years when a child's immune system is still developing. However, several factors can influence the development of a child's lungs or their ability to fend off germs.

One of these factors is family history or genetics, such that genetically predisposed children are more likely to develop asthma, especially if their parents or siblings have the condition. Exposure to air pollution, such as tobacco smoke and allergens like dust mites, pet dander, and pollen, can also cause asthma in children. These allergens cause airway inflammation and narrowing when a child is exposed. Additionally, viral respiratory infections, such as the common cold or influenza, and even weather changes can provoke asthma symptoms in susceptible children.

Common Triggers of Childhood Asthma

Pediatric asthma can be exacerbated by various triggers, which are potential risk factors that can initiate an asthma attack or worsen asthma symptoms. Among the most common triggers are cigarette smoke, infections like cold or flu, and various forms of air pollution, both indoors and outdoors. Additionally, allergies play a significant role, with allergens like dust mites, pet dander, pollen, and mold often triggering asthma attacks in children.

A child’s asthma symptoms are also likely to flare up due to exposure to dry or cold air, especially if the exposure is sudden. Exercise or physical activity can also worsen asthma. While usually beneficial for overall health, it can sometimes serve as a trigger for childhood asthma symptoms.

However, it’s essential to understand that what might spark an asthma episode in one child may not in another, highlighting the importance of understanding individual triggers and managing them effectively to prevent potential asthma attacks.

Common Prevention Tips

Preventing childhood asthma flare-ups and managing the condition effectively is crucial for ensuring a child's overall well-being. Here are some prevention tips you can implement to prevent asthma attacks in children:

• Avoid asthma triggers: Identify and avoid triggers that can exacerbate your child’s asthma symptoms. For example, this could mean avoiding allergens like pollen or dust mites. You should also ensure the child's environment is free from cigarette smoke, which can significantly aggravate asthma symptoms.
• Help your child maintain a healthy weight: Obesity can worsen asthma symptoms because being overweight can put added pressure on the lungs and airways, potentially exacerbating asthma symptoms. You can combat this by ensuring a healthy diet and regular, supervised exercise.
• Regular medical check-ups: Many children benefit from routine doctor visits to monitor their asthma and adjust treatments as necessary.
• Maintain clean environments: Regular cleaning can reduce these irritants, which is especially beneficial for younger children who might spend more time on the floor or in play areas. Invest in air purifiers and ensure proper ventilation in the child's room to reduce indoor air pollution.
• Exercise with caution: While physical activity is crucial for development, it's essential to be mindful, as intense activity can sometimes be a trigger. Most children can safely participate in activities with proper management and precautions.
• Limit outdoor activity: On days with high pollen counts or pollution, encourage your child to stay indoors to minimize exposure to potential triggers.
• Prevent respiratory infections: Encourage frequent hand-washing and teach older children to avoid close contact with those who have colds or other respiratory infections.
• Create an action plan: Work with your child's healthcare provider to create a comprehensive child's asthma action plan. This will provide guidelines on daily treatment using asthma medication and what to do during an asthma attack.

What Is Allergy-Induced Asthma (Allergic Asthma)?

Allergy-induced asthma, also known as allergic asthma, occurs when specific allergens, like pollen, dust mites, or pet dander, trigger allergic rhinitis and subsequently, cause an individual's asthma symptoms. When individuals with allergic asthma inhale these substances, their immune system reacts disproportionately, leading to airway inflammation and asthma symptoms.

When exposed to the offending allergen, the body releases chemicals, including histamines, which prompt the inner linings of the airways to swell and produce excess mucus. This results in common asthma symptoms such as wheezing, shortness of breath, coughing, and chest tightness.

The key to managing allergic asthma lies in identifying and avoiding known allergens and receiving consistent medical supervision and treatment.

The Benefits of Immunotherapy

Allergy immunotherapy is a treatment designed to desensitize the immune system to specific allergens that trigger reactions, including allergic asthma. Allergy immunotherapy works by introducing controlled amounts of the allergen into the body and, over time, the immune system is trained to become less sensitive to the substance, eventually reducing or eliminating allergic reactions.

For individuals suffering from chronic allergic conditions, this treatment can significantly reduce the severity of their allergic reactions, decrease the need for medications, and improve their overall quality of life. Allergy immunotherapy can lead to lasting relief from allergy symptoms, even after the treatment concludes. This approach addresses the symptoms and targets the underlying cause of the allergy, offering a more holistic solution.

By reducing the frequency and intensity of asthma attacks, allergy immunotherapy can significantly enhance the quality of life for children with asthma and result in fewer missed school days. It can decrease their reliance on asthma medication, and even lead to lasting relief from symptoms. Moreover, early initiation of allergy immunotherapy in younger children with allergic asthma may prevent the progression of their disease, making it a promising treatment strategy for long-term asthma management.

The Role of Allergy Shots for Kids

Like in adults, allergy shots are common in treating pediatric allergies, including asthma-induced ones. For kids who frequently experience asthma symptoms due to exposure to specific allergens, allergy shots can help desensitize their immune system, making it less reactive to these substances. Over time, exposure to allergens through allergy shots can lessen the severity of allergic reactions and, subsequently, asthma symptoms.

While allergy shots are effective, they can also be difficult for children due to frequent needles and long trips to the doctor’s office. Allergy shots are time-consuming since patients are often required to stay at the doctor’s office for 30 minutes after receiving an allergy shot to be supervised in case a severe allergic reaction occurs.

Sublingual immunotherapy is a popular alternative to allergy shots, especially for children five years old and up. Sublingual immunotherapy is another form of allergy immunotherapy that works similarly to allergy shots. However, sublingual immunotherapy is taken under the tongue in the form of allergy drops and tablets. Unlike allergy shots, sublingual immunotherapy can also be taken from the comfort of your home.

When to Consult an Expert

When navigating the challenges of childhood asthma, it's essential to recognize when professional guidance is needed or when you seek emergency care. Taking timely action can pave the way for effective treatment and better management of childhood asthma. Consult your child’s healthcare provider in the case of:

• Persistent symptoms: If your child often coughs, wheezes, or has shortness of breath, especially at night or after physical activity, you should seek medical attention.
• Allergy overlap: Consult a medical professional when symptoms of other allergies, like sneezing, runny nose, or itchy eyes, often accompany your child's breathing difficulties.
• Medication inefficacy: If over-the-counter medications or prescribed treatments don't seem to alleviate your child's symptoms, you should take your child to a doctor.
• Frequent flare-ups: Seek medical attention when asthma or allergy symptoms become more frequent or intense, disrupting your child's daily activities or sleep.
• Exposure to allergens: Consult an expert if you suspect specific triggers in your environment may be causing or worsening your child's asthma. Reaching out to an allergy specialist can help pinpoint the exact triggers through allergy testing. By understanding the specific allergens that affect your child, you can better avoid them and adapt to your home environment.

An expert can provide a tailored treatment plan, including strategies beyond standard medications, like allergy immunotherapy. Remember, managing asthma is not just about treating symptoms as they arise but crafting a comprehensive approach to prevent them and ensure your child's well-being. So, if you're in doubt, seeking an expert's perspective is always a prudent step.

Take Our Allergy Assessment and Get Treatment Today

If you want your child to get long-term relief from allergy-induced asthma, choose Wyndly. Our allergy doctors will work with you and your child to create an effective personalized treatment plan, provided the kid is five years old or older. Take our online allergy assessment to take the first step towards an allergy-free life for your child.