Climate Change May Not Increase Allergies in Kids With Asthma

While climate change gets a lot of notice for its numerous negative impacts around the globe, children's allergies may not be among them.

Despite climate change, with the longer growing seasons and larger pollen loads that are attributed to it, more than 5,800 children in the Los Angeles area with asthma did not have an increase in allergic sensitization or allergy diagnosis over a 15-year period, a new study shows.

The findings were presented earlier this month at an annual meeting of the American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology.

"We were somewhat surprised at the results as we expected there would be an increase in the number of kids with asthma who were sensitized to pollen and other allergens," principal investigator Dr. Kenny Kwong, a Los Angeles-based allergist says.

The importance of allergy testing

"Between 80%-90% of children with asthma have allergy triggers, which is why it's important for children with asthma to be tested for allergies," he said in a meeting news release. "Allergy triggers can cause asthma flares in children."

When people's immune systems become sensitized to an allergen, those patients will likely develop symptoms of an allergy each time they are exposed to that same allergen, which for others is harmless.

"Although temperatures have been rising and pollen loads increasing, if someone is not genetically predisposed to allergies, they are not likely to be sensitized to more allergens," allergist and study co-author Dr. Lyne Scott, an associate professor of pediatrics at USC's Keck School of Medicine shares.

"The growing season is year-round in L.A. and people with allergies who are already sensitized to pollens suffer more intensely when the growing season is longer, or the air quality isn't good," Scott said in the release. "It is important to remember that sensitization does not equate to severity so those with allergies may have worse symptoms."

The study followed 5,874 kids with asthma in Los Angeles for 15 years, who underwent more than 123,200 skin prick tests to dust mites, cats, dogs, cockroaches, tree pollen, grass pollen and weed pollen. All the patients had been diagnosed with asthma and allergic rhinitis by an asthma specialist using history, physical examination and spirometry when it was age-appropriate.

The researchers found no increase in allergic sensitization or allergy diagnosis among the children.

Tips for controlling your child's allergic asthma

If your child with asthma has allergy triggers, these 6 steps will help you control their asthma and prevent flares:

1. Watch for symptoms

The typical symptoms of allergic asthma in kids include nasal and oral itching, sneezing, and itchy, watery eyes. Younger children may snort or sniff instead of blowing their nose and make a clicking noise while trying to reach the itch on the roof of their mouth. Allergic reactions such as these can lead to asthmatic symptoms, such as coughing, wheezing, shortness of breath, and daily/nightly rescue inhaler use.

2. Learn what your child is allergic to

If you suspect your child may have allergic asthma, speak with your child's primary health care provider about a referral to an allergist. An allergist will be able to perform an allergy test by either skin or blood testing, which can identify their allergic triggers. The test will look for a variety of environmental allergens, such as local flora and home exposures.

There are two categories that allergens fall into:

Indoor/perennial: indoor molds, dogs, cats, dust mites and pests such as cockroaches. Indoor allergens are typically problematic for kids year-round.
Outdoor/seasonal: trees, grasses, weeds, and outdoor molds. Unlike indoor allergens, outdoor allergens tend to peak during certain seasons of the year. In the Midwest, trees pollinate from February through the end of May. Grass pollinates between May and mid-July. Weeds from August to mid-October (generally around the first frost). And molds tend to peak in spring, summer and fall. However, these patterns often change as the Earth warms. For example, in southern parts of the US, grass is a perennial allergen. This can could also happen in Northern states.

Safe Spaces: Your Child’s Asthma Checklist

3. Limit indoor exposure

You may not always be able to control the exposure to allergens your child receives outdoors, but you can control the ones in your home. This will involve a complete and thorough sweep of any allergens in your home. If done right, you could potentially reduce your child's risk for medications.

Here are some of the indoor triggers you may want to start with:

Dust mites: dust mites live in woven materials like carpeting, fabrics, mattresses, stuffed animals and couches. Although they don't bite, they feed on dead skin and absorb humidity from the atmosphere as a source of food and water.

They can be eliminated by:

Creating physical barriers by purchasing dust mite covers for pillows, comforters, mattresses and box springs.
Washing sheets and comforters once a week in hot water and/or dry on the hottest setting.
Keeping your child’s room clean and clutter-free.
Maintaining humidity below 50%, by either regular opening of windows in a dry climate or running AC in a humid climate (68 – 72 °F).
Removing the carpeting from your home, or at least where your child sleeps. (This is not necessary if cost is an issue).

Pets: Although it may not be easy, the best option to eliminating pet allergens is to remove the pet from the home entirely. If that option is out of the question, try keeping the pet in a certain area of the house and out of your child's room. Additionally, washing dogs one to two times a week may reduce allergens.

Pests: The best solution for controlling pests such as cockroaches and rodents is through professional extermination. You should also keep your house clean, keep food and trash covered and fix any cracks in the walls and floors.

4. Medication

Depending on how severe your child's symptoms are, there are a number of medications that can decrease their asthma attacks and quality of life, if avoiding asthma allergens doesn't work.

5. Allergy shots

Another option, if you are opposed to your child taking medication, is allergy shots. Through allergy shots, a tiny, progressive amount of your child’s allergies will be injected into their skin, in order to build up their immunity. Your child will start with weekly visits and then move to monthly. This process can take anywhere from 3-5 years. However, some children can achieve allergy tolerance for up to 10 years. It is important to note that allergy shots are not recommended for kids with severe or life-threatening asthma.

If you are worried about your child's allergic asthma and/or their symptoms are not well-controlled by an oral antihistamine, contact your child's doctor.