The Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America (AAFA) declares May to be National Asthma and Allergy Awareness Month. The most disturbing time of the year for asthma and allergy patients is May. Hospitals report a huge influx of patients complaining of severe food allergies, coughing, sneezing, shortness of breath, and asthma attacks, hence this is a perfect time to spread awareness about allergies and asthma.
The Environmental Protection Agency dedicates the first week of May to raising knowledge about the air quality in the environment. Air pollution is a prominent triggering factor for asthma and allergies.
The Global Initiative for Asthma also dedicates the first Tuesday in May to be World Asthma Day; it releases a report mentioning 100 US cities challenging for asthma patients to live in.
Why Is There a Need For Asthma & Allergy Awareness?
Around 25 million US residents suffer from asthma, a respiratory disease that has no cure but is manageable and controllable. Each year, 1.6 million asthma patients visit hospitals in the emergency department, leading to over 170,000 hospital stays.
About 32 million Americans have food allergies and 24 million either have Allergic rhinitis or nasal allergies. The most prevalent food allergies include peanut, milk, shellfish, and tree nut, and childhood food allergy often turns into a life-threatening chronic condition.
The impact on these figures is even greater considering the caregivers and the communities besides the people who report the diseases.
The National Asthma and Allergy Awareness Month is dedicated to bringing greater attention to asthma and allergies. It aims to educate people about their causes, help them recognize their symptoms, and get diagnosed, and timely treated to ensure a healthy lifestyle.
This year’s theme is to boost the confidence of patients when they use asthma and allergy medicines, inhalers, and injections.
Asthma & Allergy Prevention Tips
Asthma and allergy can not be cured, so it is better to prevent them from happening by reducing your exposure to potential allergens and asthma triggers. The following are some tips that can help you prevent an asthma attack or allergic reaction.
1. Know what triggers you
Pollutants, smoke, nuts, fragrances, and flu virus are some common allergens.
2. Stay away from allergens
Once you know what triggers you, try to avoid it at all times, especially when you have no one around to help you in case of an emergency.
3. Get vaccinated
Get a flu vaccine every year, because flu is the most prevalent precursor of asthma. If you’re 19 years or older, get a pneumonia shot. Tdap shot is also recommended to protect you against whooping cough and tetanus.
4. Do not smoke
It causes inflammation of your respiratory tract. Do not even eat in smoky restaurants or ones that allow smoking.
5. Prepare an asthma action plan
It’s a personalized worksheet with actionable steps that will protect your asthma from getting worse.
Severe Allergy Reactions & Asthma Attacks Symptoms
Knowledge of emergency first aid for allergic or asthma patients requires an understanding of what to expect in a severe allergic reaction or asthma attack first.
A patient requiring emergency support due to an asthma attack has difficult, noisy breathing, persistent caught, hoarse voice, and tightness in their throat. They are usually not in the condition to talk or respond effectively in terms of emergency management.
Severe food allergies cause abdominal pain, vomiting, diarrhea, dizziness, or even collapse. If anyone in your family has experienced any of these symptoms before, they are vulnerable to having another severe reaction or asthma attack. It can be life-threatening and requires a prompt response.
Prepare For Emergency First Aid
For Severe Allergy Reactions
If someone around you is suffering from an acute allergic reaction, always lay the person flat on a smooth surface. If the person is unresponsive, with no breathing and pulse, perform CPR (Cardiopulmonary resuscitation) until normal breathing is revived.
Give an adrenaline injector and then an allergy reliever puffer if the person known to have food, insect, or medication allergy has difficulty breathing. Adrenaline reverses an allergic reaction quickly and injectors are designed for use even by non-medically trained people.
If you are at risk of an allergic reaction, always make sure that you carry an adrenaline injector. Avoid any kind of medication or food intake that might worsen your allergy or complicate your treatment. Stay away from allergens and do not go out in the open air unnecessarily during pollination months.
In either situation, call an ambulance using your mobile phone by calling triple zero (000).
It is best to have a personal safety device, such as Silent Beacon’s Panic Button at hand which will allow you to call 000 at a touch of a button in case of emergency. This makes a crucial difference in the vent of an allergy attack since the more time you waste, the worse it gets.
Silent Beacon will also allow you to inform multiple contacts at once, and share your real-time GPS location so your loved ones can trace you if you’re not at home.
For Asthma Attacks
Doctors suggest asthma patients prepare an emergency action plan. Make sure that your action plan is ready if you are an asthma patient, and you have it with you at all times. Your family members should also know where it is placed so they can help you follow it. The plan includes your medication and emergency response.
During an asthma attack, it is extremely difficult for the patient to communicate, hence calling an ambulance manually through your phone isn’t a reliable option. Wear your Silent Beacon Panic Button and press it to notify first responders. Prepare a customized text message beforehand that states that you’re having an asthma attack. The key element in asthma and allergy emergencies is to be prompt. Be fast in action to avoid severe problems.
Adrenaline auto-injector also helps in relieving asthma symptoms temporarily until you see your doctor.
The Endnote
This May, let’s join hands in spreading awareness about asthma and allergies to improve the lives of people living with them. Consider this opportunity to participate in virtual presentations, community outreach, and general public discussion about the subject with people around you. Help asthma and allergy patients find relief this month by educating them about potential causes, effects, treatment, emergency response, and prevention of these diseases.
Make the world a safer place for all with Silent Beacon.
