Allergies and Asthma   The majority of people with asthma have allergies to substances in their environment, such as pollen mold dust mites cockroaches animal dander, saliva, or urine You may be allergic to only a few substances or to many. Usually, the more substances you are allergic to, the more severe the asthma will be. Allergens can cause immediate or a delayed reaction. In an immediate response, symptoms usually occur within 5 to 10 minutes of exposure to the asthma trigger. The symptoms will last from 1.5 to 2 hours. A delayed reaction can occur several hours after exposure but can last for several weeks. If you think that allergies may be acting as triggers for your asthma symptoms, review the allergy checklist and discuss the results with your doctor.   Allergy Checklist Use the following checklist, adapted from the National Institute of Health, to determine which allergens may be contributing to your asthma symptoms. Discuss them at your next doctor's visit. Is your asthma worse in certain months? If yes, do you have asthma symptoms as well as sneezing, itching, runny and/or stuffed-up nose? You may be allergic to pollens and outdoor molds Do your symptoms appear when you visit where there are indoor pets? You may be allergic to animal dander, saliva, or urine. If you have pets in your home, do your symptoms improve when you are away from home for a week or longer? Do your symptoms return or get worse during the first 24 hours after returning home? You may be allergic to animal dander, saliva, or urine. Do your eyes become red after handling pets? If the pet licks you, does it produce red, itchy welts? You may be allergic to animal dander or saliva. Do you experience asthma symptoms when you are in a room where the carpets are being vacuumed? You may be allergic to dust mites or animal dander Do you develop symptoms when you make the bed? You may be allergic to dust mites Do you experience symptoms when around hay, combine activities, or in a barn or stable? You may be allergic to molds Do symptoms develop when you go into a greenhouse, damp basement, or lake cottage that has been closed up for some time? You may be allergic to molds. Once you and your doctor review the possibility of whether allergies may contribute to your asthma, evaluate what you can do to remove triggers from your environment.   ABOUT THIS PROGRAM | UNDERSTANDING ASTHMA MANAGING YOUR ASTHMA | CHILDREN WITH ASTHMA | FOR MORE INFORMATION | MAIN PAGE     BACK TO HEALTHWORKS © 1998 Prairie Public Broadcasting, Inc.