Hi guys, I am brand new to asthma topic, as I was diagnosed with mild asthma on Friday. I have been experiencing breathing difficultis since the last few weeks (chest tightness, shortness of breath, ...). I was tested allergic to basically everything that grows during summer months.
However, I am trying to fiure out why I have asthma now, at the age of 33. Yes, I've had hay fever for years, but still... And I noticed one thing: the first time I experienced breathing troubles was on June 5 this year. And approx. 36 hours prior to it I used a self-tanner for the first time. This self-tanner is (should be) organic and vegan and made of green thungs only, and there are some ingredients (e.g. wheat) I'm supposed to be allergic to. Do you think it is possible to react to a cream with developing an asthma? I had no skin irritatiins whatsoever... But it stroke me when the troubles wordened today, after applaying the cream yesterday. I am gonna do a test with not using the cream for the next couple of days to see, but do you think it is possible? Haven't found any cases...the time synchronisation is striking, though...
And my second questiin is - is it common for an inhalator not to have any effect? I am inhaling twice a day and don't see any improvement... Going to see the doctor on Friday again to have it checked, of course, but it makes me crazy as I tend to panick after almost each short breath... 🤔
Thanks in advance for your assistance and ideas!
Written by
Hanitchka
To view profiles and participate in discussions please or .
Quick response yes to the tan solution. I reacted to anything with petroleum jelly, liquid petroleum which is a filler in moisture creams. I used to eat eggs one day and exacerbation of chest and eczema the next.
I have over the years tried most inhalers and it's trial and error to which one suits you. They tend to prescribe cheapest but you could ask to see the asthma nurse.
Yes definitely a possible reaciton to the tanning cream. I can't be around certain sprays/cleaning products or it triggers my asthma. My husband has to spray his deodorant in another room and shut the door! There are some I can use but it's very much trial and error so try not using it and see if it improves. With regards the inhalents....I find they help for a short time but it's def not a cure.
I had a similar experience in a way but mine is perhaps more odd! I have always had mild hayfever but I had an extreme reaction to shellfish approx 8 years ago and since then have reacted to anything and everything and suffer from moderate asthma.... Bizzare!
I have actually put it down to my second pregnancy I don't think there is any evidence other than a hunch that something happened to me whilst pregnant that has made my super allergic?!
In terms of inhaler what have you been prescribed? I think from memory a preventer takes approx a week to take effect....
Hope you see an improvement soon!
Yes!!! There are some medicines designed to be delivered via the skin (transdermal) so the skin is capable of absorbing chemicals albeit in low concentrations.
I developed asthma at 40.......no allergies, but I went from athlete to being off work for months on end. It took a very long time to get me stable, but now my joints limit my exercise not my asthma.
Well...we'll see then. If it turns out I was right, I wikl be happy of course to know the cause, but on the other hand, I invested a LOT into this organic all natural cosmetics, so I'd be a little pissed off too
This is crazy... I always thought you either have asthma from childhood / adolescence, or you do not have it all! I'm glad you're better now
I was diagnosed with asthma at the age of 65! However, I do think there were hints I had the potential from childhood as I always coughed a lot, but I was never diagnosed. Have heard of others, too, who are diagnosed late in life. It can happen any time.
Thanks to all of you! Actually, the odd thing is that there's petroleum or anything that is usually seen as as a trigger in this cream. Only some certified organic or natural components such as different flower extracts, etc., no petroleum, no sulphates... Or at least that is what it says...they may be lying, of course... Or I'm just allergic to some of those flowers used.
Regarding the inhalant, I was prescribed Combair. I do not know if the name is international, as I'm from the Czech Republic But from what I read, it is a combined medicine which is mainly used for regular use as prevention, so I guess I will wait the week.
Sometimes your inhaler wont seem like its working , but this could be down to it not being strong enough or you aint using it correctly
The other trick is when you do feel shortness of breath don't try and take in big gulps as this only makes you gasp even more
Sit down or stop what you are doing and take a small breath in through your nose try to hold it a second or two and breath out slowly through your mouth
Try this a few times and it should help ease the gasping
On the other point the pollen count is very high at the moment and hay fever is rife even if you haven't had it before
You can develop asthma at any age and in adult onset it often comes out of the blue. The fact that you have it now may make your skin more susceptible, but only your own experiment will let you know if you are reacting to the cream. Asthma is often combined with hay fever and eczema, so you will just have to see what, if anything develops.
There are excellent videos on YouTube to demonstrate the best way to inhale; as ecosse says, there is no point gasping at it, as it just hits the back of your throat and trickles into your tum.
Take your time, use the inhalers exactly as prescribed, and don't panic. It will take a while to get your asthma stable, but it will happen. Call the asthma nurse at Asthma UK if you need further advice: 0300 222 5800 mon - Fri, 9 - 5. Those nurses are the real experts.
Yes it is. Some of the cream will go into your system. I cant you ibroprophen creams. But do you have issues with wheat if you eat it. E.g. stomach bloating/discomfort etc? Sounds like an interesting combination. You're lucky to get the alergy test so soon . Re the inhaler. It may not be the right one for you. Some work on different receptors. Good luck back at Docs. I will be interested to see how things go
Well, I may have bloating sometimes after eating bread, but no severe troubles. Well, I will see what the doctor will say and what the spirometry will show again. But it's better, I have to say, not sure if it is because I did not use the cream yesterday or because the inhalent stars to work or because I really try not to focus on the breathing that much. So tricky! 😄
Thanks for your support! I'll let you know how it goes ...
Due to the posts on this site I have just realised one of my triggers may be eggs....watch this space as I do a trial run without.!!! And I'm 65 (30+ yrs with Asthma) no medical practitioner has ever suggested this....Never too old to learn 😊good luck with your trial and spyro
Unfortunately hay fever, asthma, eczema, allergies and anaphylaxis all go hand in hand. I grew into it all. Hay fever at 20, then asthma then eczema and trundling along in the background allergies.
I don't think the heat and weather is helping. Have you got an Action Plan from Asthma UK? If not print it off and discuss it all with your Dr. Hopefully along with the inhalers they prescribed a peak flow meter, if not ask for one and for the time being monitor yourself, you may find that although you don't feel the difference the inhalers are changing your lungs. At the moment I am tight chested (the asthma elephant is sitting on my chest) but my peak flow says that I am fine, I may just be panicking about the weather.
I hope that you get the reassurance that you need.
When you see your Dr they would have asked you to blow into a tube about 20cm long with a gauge on it, to see your lung output. This tube is called a peak flow meter. Most of us in the UK have them at home. Also you should still be able to print off the Action Plan from the Asthma UK website which will help when you have an attack. Translate it into your own language and make your own version on the computer. Discuss it with your Dr so that you and those around you know what to do to help.
Hey guys, just to let you know, I was given another inhalator, DuoResp Spiromax, today in the morning, and it is definitely more effective than the Combair. First impression of at least some relief appears almost immediately, after several minutes, which was not the case with the previous medicine.
I forgot to ask the doctor about the cream. My asthma had been getting better in the last couple of days, but today in the morning, I didn't use the inhalator as I wanted to go to the doctor "clean" (just in case I should get measured) and it got worse, so I'm not really sure it's the cream, though...
Content on HealthUnlocked does not replace the relationship between you and doctors or other healthcare professionals nor the advice you receive from them.
Never delay seeking advice or dialling emergency services because of something that you have read on HealthUnlocked.
I always thought you either have asthma from childhood / adolescence, or you do not have it all! I'm glad you're better now 
But from what I read, it is a combined medicine which is mainly used for regular use as prevention, so I guess I will wait the week.
Asthma/Triggers
Office Triggers
Pet Asthma Trigger
Asthma remission for 6 months
