May is National Asthma and Allergy Awareness Month
HOUSTON – For over 40 years, the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America (AAFA) has declared May as National Asthma and Allergy Awareness Month. It is a time to recognize the impact of asthma and allergies on individuals and families across the country. Harris County Public Health (HCPH) aims to educate community members about asthma and allergies by providing information on their causes, triggers, and treatments to support better symptom management.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), more than 25 million Americans suffer from asthma, and more than 50 million Americans suffer from allergies. Allergies and asthma are the leading chronic conditions among children in the United States, with asthma affecting 6.2 million children and allergies affecting 10 million children, according to the AAFA.
Asthma is a chronic lung disease that affects people of all ages and can cause breathing difficulties, coughing, wheezing, and chest tightness. Asthma attacks can be mild, moderate, serious, or even life-threatening.
Allergies occur when your immune system reacts to a foreign substance that has entered your body, called an allergen. An allergic reaction can be triggered by something you eat, breathe, touch, or inject into your body. Allergy symptoms can include sneezing, a runny nose, and itchy or watery eyes. Various forms of allergies include indoor and outdoor, seasonal, skin, food, drug, latex, and insect allergies. There is no cure for allergies, but they can be managed with prevention and treatment.
While asthma and allergies are different conditions, they are often related, as allergens can trigger asthma symptoms. About 70 percent of people with asthma also have allergies.
The CDC recommends the following measures to help manage asthma and allergy symptoms:
- Avoid triggers: Identify and avoid triggers that worsen your symptoms, such as pollen, dust, or pet dander.
- Take medications as prescribed: If you have asthma or allergies, it is important to take your medications as prescribed by your healthcare provider to help control your symptoms.
- Create an asthma or allergy action plan: Work with your healthcare provider to create an action plan that outlines what to do in case of an asthma or allergy attack.
- Get vaccinated: People with asthma and allergies are at higher risk of developing complications from respiratory infections, so getting vaccinated against influenza and pneumonia is crucial.
- Monitor your symptoms: Keep track of your symptoms and know when to seek medical attention if they worsen.
As part of its broader commitment to chronic disease prevention in Harris County, HCPH also offers tobacco and vaping prevention and cessation services. The use of tobacco products and exposure to secondhand smoke can significantly worsen asthma and other respiratory conditions. Through its Tobacco and Vaping Prevention and Cessation Program, HCPH provides education, evidence-based resources, and referrals to support community members in quitting tobacco and protecting lung health. For more information, visit the HCPH Tobacco & Vaping Prevention webpage.