Diagnosis and Management of Allergic Disease

The association of asthma and allergies has long been recognized. Many recent ­studies have confirmed that sensitization among genetically susceptible populations to certain indoor allergens such as dust mite, animal dander (cat and dog), cockroach, and to outdoor molds such as Alternaria is a risk factor for developing persistent asthma (1). For asthmatic children and adults, chronic exposure to household allergens is associated not only with a higher risk of respiratory symptoms and increased medication use, but also with impaired lung function, increased risk of respiratory viral infections, and increased risk of hospitalization for asthma (2). Sensitization to the outdoor allergens such as grass and ragweed pollens has been associated with seasonal asthma and a rise in emergency department visits and hospitalizations due to acute asthma exacerbations.