New to asthma, how do I know the triggers that set it off? Has anyone invested it allergy tests etc?

[Small-but-mighty]

I had a severe asthma attack in 2018 as an adult brought about by a cold and I ended up in resuscitation. I have been ever so careful in controlling my asthma, however yesterday, I woke up with a tight chest and struggled to breathe and had an asthma attack and rushed into A&E. I dont know what could have caused this and I'm feeling really anxious that perhaps, anything could set it off.

[Js706]

Sorry to hear that you had to go to A&E with your asthma - hope you’re feeling better from that side of things!

I don’t know where abouts you live but have you had storms over the last few days? There’s something known as “thunderstorm asthma” which is when stormy weather can trigger asthma attacks in people, due to the pressure changes that happen in the weather and also because it can break up pollen particles into smaller bits than normal, so they’re more likely to get deep into the lungs and cause asthma attacks.

So it may well be something like that if it came out of nowhere. Especially if you also have hayfever.

[twinkly29]

Also hope you're feeling better.

Attacks can be worrying whether you're used to them or not....but try not to worry that one recent attack will mean anything will set it off (though I do understand why you'd think that when you don't know the cause).

Do you regularly measure your peak flow? Thinking back over the days preceding your attack did you have any change in that or symptoms such as coughing, wheezing, tight chest, shortness of breath? Sometimes we don't know the trigger at the time but can use things like that, along with "life at the time" (such as Js706 mentions), to pinpoint possibles - and often it is only that and we can't say for sure.

Do you have an asthma plan for managing your asthma? It might be sensible to phone your GP or asthma nurse, whether or not you have a plan, to discuss what happened (and make a plan for the future if you don't have one).

Regarding allergy testing, I wouldn't invest in it myself as a lot of tests are known to be inaccurate. It's something you could talk to your GP about - although of course it might not be an allergy that set it off - as I say, it can be difficult to know even for experience asthmatics....such fun! 😅

[Poobah]

The weather has been quite close and thundery and this affects my asthma and gives me headaches. Feeling much better today. I just wonder if that's behind your unexpected symptoms. Allergy testing won't pick up triggers such as this and stress, anxiety, exercise etc

You will need to look online for your local NHS Trust to see what allergy testing services they offer. Mine don't offer anything other than a basic service and my consultant doesn't bother any more, apparently (I asked).

Going private will mean doing some groundwork to find a good practitioner.

[Junglechicken in reply to Poobah]

Me too Poobah. Love a good thunderstorm but hate the asthma symptoms that come with it. 😔

[peege]

Sorry to hear that, it must have been scary. Do you have preventer inhaler to take daily?

My asthma took a downturn in 2010, loads of pneumonia and endless chest infections. Was finally referred to consultant on NHS for suspected bronchiectasis &/or aspergillosis. Allergy testing was included in the tests. Was pleased to find that pets weren't triggers, only mould and a mild reaction to aspergillus (thank goodness).

I had an attack a week or so ago when there was a cold wind that I should have known better & not gone out in it.

Lately I've noticed pollen affects me more than it ever did.

If tests are not forthcomingfrom NHS I'd definitely pay to have them, nothing so important as your health and for asthmatic's finding the triggers. Good luck. P

[ChrissieMons]

Practically anything can be a trigger, so you need to do some little experimenting on yourself. Keep a diary and see if there is a common thread to your attacks. The usual culprits are dust, pollen and furry animals, but everyone has different allergies and different reactions on a long scale from mild to severe once they are identified. Stress makes everything worse, of course. Allergy testing is still mainly skin prick but that is no use if you have a food allergy, for example. You can get allergy testing on the NHS if your GP advises it.

[Lysistrata Administrator Community Ambassador in reply to ChrissieMons]

Agreed a diary may be helpful. As others have said there can be many triggers besides allergies, and not all asthma is allergic. I got sidetracked a lot in the early days thinking my triggers were allergic eg thinking a cat was responsible for a sudden flare, when actually it was being in a freshly painted room.

Stress is a common trigger for asthma, but not everyone is triggered by stress or other emotions. Even if they are, it may be specific kinds of stress and not others (eg just before exams). Personally I find that if anything stress actually improves my asthma, but certainly doesn't trigger it.

Others have mentioned the weather - personally this can be a major trigger for me regardless of pollen, and I suspect changing pressure is often part of it. Again it took some time to work this out.

There can also be a delay in response to triggers: I have found some are very easy for me to identify as the reaction is immediate (eg eat mango/smell rose and boom), but others don't have an effect till later, which does make it harder.

I agree with what others have said about a plan and seeing GP - especially after you've been to A and E.

[ninelives]

Great helpful advice above.

Yes my respiratory consultant ordered blood tests to see whether what I thought triggered me did.

No surprises with results but had been unaware high allergy response to almonds.

You know your body better than anyone.

Discuss with your medical team ,do peak flows ,keep diary as suggested etc.

Best of luck ,hope that you feel better soon.

[Hippopotamai]

Diary is a good idea. Anecdotal evidence from you will help shape what are possible triggers. Food allergies are slightly easier to manage if you can identify what they are as you can avoid them. It gets more complicated when you try to eat out or if you eat processed food. For instance, a lot of asthmatics have an allergy to sulphur dioxide (preservative used in food and drinks, especially those with fruit/dried fruit and alcohol), as it has a known detrimental effect food labels have to declare its use. Salicylate (natural form of asprin) which has a high natural content in strawberries and acidic apples is another common trigger in asthmatics. So you could be mistaken to think that some nice refreshing fruit in this heat is lovely but if eaten to excess can cause problems.

Environmental triggers are trickier as we often can't control the weather, atmospheric pressure associated with weather changes, pollen, perfume, cigarette smoke, pet/animal etc. exposure. Whether this is at home, at work or just out and about. There's nuances to this as well.

I react to other peoples perfume but some scents I react to more strongly than others. My friends have been quite considerate to changing their perfumes so that I can spend time with them without deteriorating in front of them.

Worth considering but have you been using solvent type cleaners in the house more due to the pandemic? Detergent based cleaning products may be better if the solvent ones cause you to wheeze.

Your GP should be able to help you figure what your triggers are. Failing that try speaking to the asthma nurse. Sometimes I find the GP can be more unsympathetic.