Eosinophilic asthma is a health condition affecting the airways in the lungs. It is a subtype of asthma triggered by high levels of white blood cells called eosinophils (responsible for fighting infections) in the lungs’ airways. Its symptoms include wheezing, shortness of breath, and chest tightness. Symptoms may occur after exercise or exposure to specific triggers such as molds or other allergens. Read on to learn about eosinophilic asthma, its symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment options.

Diagnosis
Unlike other types of asthma, eosinophilic asthma tends to resist standard treatment methods such as bronchodilators and corticosteroids. Suppose a person has had symptoms for more than six months, and their doctor has not found anything else wrong with them (i.e., no bacterial infection). In that case, they likely have eosinophilic airway disease or eosinophilic lung disease. Depending on the severity, these conditions can lead to reduced lung function if left untreated and require long-term treatment strategies, including inhaled corticosteroids or systemic immunotherapy.

Symptoms
The symptoms of eosinophilic asthma are similar to those of other types of asthma – wheezing, chest tightness, breathlessness, and coughing. Some people with eosinophilic asthma may also experience skin rashes or watery eyes (known as nasal flushes). These symptoms can be severe enough to interfere with daily activities such as going outdoors or doing sports. However, they do not last long till advanced stages for doctors who specialize in this condition (allergists) to diagnose people based on their symptoms alone. If a person suspects their child has eosinophilic asthma, it is necessary to ask about symptoms. The most common ones include coughing and wheezing, but some might experience shortness of breath, chest tightness or pain, and fatigue.

Treatment
Depending on the seriousness of the symptoms, a person may be able to treat eosinophilic asthma with the following –

• Some doctors prescribe anti-inflammatory treatments such as inhaled corticosteroids or Salmeterol (Serevent) if the asthma is mild to moderate. Other remedies include Beclomethasone (Qvar) and Formoterol (Foradil). These prescriptions are used for short periods and can help reduce wheezing by decreasing mucus production.
• Injection treatments like bronchodilators increase airway smooth muscle tone by relaxing muscles around the airways. This treatment is typically reserved for patients with more severe lung inflammation than those treated with oral prescriptions because it can cause side effects like fatigue, cough, or shortness of breath after each dose. However, it is one way to manage chronic lung issues like chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) caused by eosinophilic asthma.

Remedies

Avoiding allergens
If you are not allergic to certain things, they will not trigger an attack; however, if you are allergic, the symptoms should disappear once you avoid the allergen.

Avoiding triggers
The best way to prevent eosinophilic asthma is by avoiding potential triggers altogether. For example, if a specific activity or substance triggers an asthma flare-up, such as exercise in hot weather or dust mites around the house, try avoiding them altogether.

Protective equipment
Humidifiers and dehumidifiers will help reduce moisture levels in the air, which may trigger attacks by eosinophils. One can also opt for masks and air purifiers. Get allergy shots if necessary (after consulting with an allergist beforehand).

If a person is diagnosed with eosinophilic asthma, it is essential to understand and learn how to manage the condition. If left untreated for a long time, this condition can lead to severe health risks, including respiratory failure. Therefore, it is necessary to work with a health expert as they chart the perfect treatment plan to fight the condition.