Open AccessAllergen Management in Children with Type 2-High Asthma
Author(s) -
Madeleine Gray-Ffrench,
Ricardo M Fernandes,
Ian Sinha,
Elissa M. Abrams
Publication year - 2022
Publication title -
journal of asthma and allergy
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.162
H-Index - 30
ISSN - 1178-6965
DOI - 10.2147/jaa.s276994
Subject(s) - medicine , aeroallergen , asthma , environmental health , sensitization , house dust mite , exacerbation , pandemic , mite , immunology , disease , allergy , allergen , covid-19 , infectious disease (medical specialty) , botany , biology
Children exposed to various indoor and outdoor allergens are placed at an increased risk of developing asthma in later life, with sensitization in these individuals being a strong predictor of disease morbidity. In addition, aeroallergen exposure influences asthma outcomes through an interplay with adverse determinants of health. The goal of this review is to provide an introductory overview of factors related to aeroallergen exposure in type 2-high childhood asthma. These include the relevance of exposure in asthma exacerbations and severity, and the evidence-base for avoidance and treatment for sensitization to these allergens. This review will focus on both indoor aeroallergens (house dust mite, pet, cockroach, mold, and rodent) and outdoor aeroallergens (pollens and molds). Treatment of aeroallergen sensitization in children with asthma includes avoidance and removal measures, although there is limited evidence of clinical benefit especially with single-strategy approaches. We will also address the interplay of aeroallergens and climate change, adverse social determinants, and the current COVID-19 pandemic, when we have seen a dramatic reduction in asthma exacerbations and emergency department visits among children. While there are many factors that are hypothesized to contribute to this reduction, among them is a reduced exposure to outdoor seasonal aeroallergens.