What should people with Asthma and allergies now
People with a pollen Allergy have it in the spring is difficult: symptoms such as constant Sneezing, coughing and a runny nose are annoying and uncomfortable. Also other allergies, for example dust or animal hair that can cause these symptoms. Asthma and allergic Asthma affect the respiratory tract and can cause problems such as cough or shortness of breath shows.
As with COVID-19-like symptoms can be accompanied by, and primarily the respiratory tract is concerned, make many to be Concerned, Worried about whether they could distinguish an infection at all of your other complaints. The question of whether allergies and Asthma, and increase the risk of infection with COVID-19 or a severe gradient that drives many. Dr. Arveen Bhasin, an expert on allergies and immunology at the Mayo Clinic in Florida, has taken up this theme and provides answers.
Are people with allergies and/or Asthma at greater risk?
The most important news first: In a News article in the Mayo Clinic, Dr. Bhasin is a cautious all-clear. According to the “Centers for Disease Control” there is the possibility that persons with Asthma have a higher risk of infection for COVID-19. However, the statement of the “Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology”, according to which there are no data supporting this presumption is to the contrary.
Delineation of Allergy symptoms, and COVID-19
“Allergies, of which millions of people are affected, arise when a person’s immune system reacts to a foreign substance such as Pollen, animal hair or certain foods. Although overlap of certain symptoms that differentiate allergies from COVID-19 in relation to the sudden outbreak of disease and symptoms,“ explains Dr. Arveen Bhasin.
As the typical symptoms of an Allergy Dr. called Bhasin:
Some of these symptoms could also occur during a cold or other viral infection.
Infection with COVID-19 is often accompanied by these symptoms:
Two important differences Dr. Bhasin announced the following: In the case of a COVID-19-infection, the complaints are aggravated after the Occurrence, often quickly. While Allergy symptoms improve, usually by taking the medication, and a change of scenery fairly quickly, this has no effect on the symptoms of a COVID-19 infection.
Delineation of the symptoms of Asthma and COVID-19
How can asthma symptoms of an infection with COVID-19 differ?
“Asthma is a disease of the respiratory narrows trails and swollen and extra mucus is produced. Asthma can make it difficult breathing and coughing, wheezing and shortness of breath trigger, but if you are asthmatic, you would probably detect an attack. However, it would be unlikely you would get a fever,“ explains the expert, Dr. Arveen Bhasin.
As in the case of allergies, it also applies for Asthma for the delineation of COVID-19: “The COVID-19-symptoms usually occur quickly and are getting worse. In the case of allergies and Asthma, and a change of scenery and medications can contribute slightly to the improvement of the symptoms.“
Tips that those Affected can now help
Dr. Bhasin recommends that patients with allergies or Asthma, during the current lock downs of certain measures. She points out that it is now particularly important, the individual trigger for Allergy exacerbations, or asthma attacks to be aware of and, where appropriate, adjustments to the changed conditions, such as Working from the home office to carry out:
“If you are, for example, against oak pollen allergic, but at the moment it Outdoors instead of in a gym to run, you should reduce your mileage and plan to take a shower immediately after the workout. If you know that dust is a trigger for your Asthma, you should adjust your work schedule so that you are more often vacuuming or mopping.“
Dr. Bhasin also stresses that it is important, the usual medicines do not simply sell:
“You use your steroid inhalers and nasal sprays. Although there has been concern about these drugs and their connection with the increasing prevalence of COVID-19, there is no literature that proves this. The same goes for douching with saline solution. It is recommended that their Asthma and Allergy medicines continue to, regardless of whether they are over-the-counter or require a prescription.“
In addition, there Bhasin detailed tips on proper use of nasal spray:
“Avoid it, your nasal septum, or your nose to spray the leg, as this will allow the skin to become thinner and cause bleeding. They tend, instead, head down, shake the bottle and then aim in the direction of the ear. Spray and sniff slowly. You then shake the bottle and repeat the process in the other nose hole.“
The spray opening should be wiped after each use. Spray bottles should only be used by a single Person.
Dr. Bhasin points out that the body gets used to prolonged use of the same drugs in it and the effect wears off. In this case, it could be helpful for a couple of weeks on a different product instead.
Important Note
If your symptoms worsen and you have the fear to have with COVID-19 infected, contact a doctor please telephone your GP or your house. Telephone advice outside of office hours is also available at the phone number 116117, where to wait, however, longer times may come. In urgent medical emergencies, please dial 112.
For more information on the procedure when there is a suspicion of a coronavirus infection, please visit the information page by the Federal centre for health education. (kh)