Relationship Between COPD and Allergies

July 16, 2024

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a group of lung diseases that includes emphysema and chronic bronchitis. COPD can block airflow and make it hard for patients to breathe. Symptoms of COPD include shortness of breath and a chronic cough. People with this condition can also have other breathing health issues including asthma or allergies. These respiratory conditions can worsen the symptoms of CPOD. 

What Should You Know About Allergies and COPD?

Allergies can elevate the symptoms of COPD. If a patient with COPD has specific allergies such as pet dander or dust, then they may require restrictions in their living environment. If they experience seasonal allergies, then they may have to restrict their time outdoors and consult their doctor about managing both respiratory conditions. An allergist will pinpoint the specific allergens that trigger a reaction and may recommend medications to manage those symptoms.

How Can Allergies Affect COPD?

COPD has already compromised the normal breathing of patients by restricting the airflow to the lungs. The effectiveness of existing treatments for COPD may be reduced when allergies strike. Allergies can further minimize the airflow by causing the airway to become inflamed and narrowed. Excessive mucus production may result aggravating existing COPD symptoms. Patients may experience:

  • A hard and persistent cough
  • Wheezing
  • Fatigue
  • Shortness of breath
  • A productive cough with mucus

Can Allergies Make COPD Worse?

Whether a patient experiences allergies to pet dander and dust or to seasonal pollen or mold, the presence of allergens can make COPD worse. Patients may experience all of their typical COPD symptoms at a higher level. They may require oxygen treatment more frequently or require more rest due to excessive fatigue. Patients should be mindful of their allergies and how they can affect their COPD.

Link Between Seasonal Allergies and COPD

Many people suffer from seasonal allergies, usually during the spring when pollen counts increase or the fall when decaying plant matter generates more mold spores in the air. Having COPD along with seasonal allergies can make breathing even more difficult and amplify typical symptoms of both respiratory conditions. Many patients with both seasonal allergies and COPD should take necessary precautions to avoid potent allergic reactions.

How Can Medicines for an Allergy Affect COPD?

If you have both allergies and COPD your doctor may recommend medicine to help reduce the severity of symptoms. Medications such as diphenhydramine (Benadryl) and cetirizine (Zyrtec) are typically used to treat seasonal allergies. They can reduce inflammation in the airway and improve breathing overall. Because allergies are essentially an immune response, these medications are helpful in reducing your body’s immune system from activating the uncomfortable reaction to the presence of allergens.

How Can You Avoid Indoor Allergies?

Some allergies can affect patients all year long. Dust and pet dander are some of the most common indoor allergies. Someone affected by reactions to pet dander, will need to avoid keeping a pet at home. Dust allergies require more thorough house cleaning to prevent the presence of dust. Patients can also use an air purifier to reduce airborne allergens indoors.

How to Avoid and Treat the Complications

Patients with COPD and allergies can avoid flareups by taking the necessary precautions. If they have seasonal allergies, they should be prepared during those seasonal allergy periods to avoid time outdoors. Indoor allergens require minimizing those airborne allergens as much as possible. Working with your doctor is the best place to start to receive helpful medications to manage symptoms effectively.

Summary

CAIRE AirSep NewLife Intensity 10L Oxygen Concentrator

One of the common treatments for COPD is oxygen therapy. Pure oxygen can help as well to reduce the symptoms of allergies while assisting with breathing for patients with COPD. Patients with both conditions can always rely on their oxygen concentrator for breathing support during seasonal allergy periods. Regular use of oxygen therapy can help alleviate both the symptoms of COPD and the discomfort of allergies.

copd and allergiescopd and allergies

Chronic obstrctive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a group of lung diseases that includes emphysema and chronic bronchitis. COPD can block airflow and make it hard for patients to breathe. Symptoms of COPD include shortness of breath and a chronic cough. People with this condition can also have other breathing health issues including asthma or allergies. These respiratory conditions can worsen the symptoms of COPD.

What Should You Know About Allergies and COPD?

Allergies can elevate the symptoms of COPD. If a patient with COPD has specific allergies such as pet dander or dust, then they may require restrictions in their living environment. If they experience seasonal allergies, then they may have to restrict their time outdoors and consult their doctor about managing both respiratory conditions. An allergist will pinpoint the specific allergens that trigger a reaction and may recommend medications to manage those symptoms.

How Can Allergies Affect COPD?

how allergies affect copdhow allergies affect copd

COPD has already compromised the normal breathing of patients by restricting the airflow to the lungs. The effectiveness of existing treatments for COPD may be reduced when allergies strike. Allergies can further minimize the airflow by causing the airway to become inflamed and narrowed. Excessive mucus production may result aggravating existing COPD symptoms. Patients may experience:

  • A hard and persistent cough
  • Wheezing
  • Fatigue
  • Shortness of breath
  • A productive cough with mucus

Can Allergies Make COPD Worse?

Whether a patient experiences allergies to pet dander and dust or to seasonal pollen or mold, the presence of allergens can make COPD worse. Patients may experience all of their typical COPD symptoms at a higher level. They may require oxygen treatment more frequently or require more rest due to excessive fatigue. Patients should be mindful of their allergies and how they can affect their COPD.

Link Between Seasonal Allergies and COPD

Many people suffer from seasonal allergies, usually during the spring when pollen counts increase or the fall when decaying plant matter generates more mold spores in the air. Having COPD along with seasonal allergies can make breathing even more difficult and amplify typical symptoms of both respiratory conditions. Many patients with both seasonal allergies and COPD should take necessary precautions to avoid potent allergic reactions.

How Can Medicines for an Allergy Affect COPD?

If you have both allergies and COPD your doctor may recommend medicine to help reduce the severity of symptoms. Medications such as diphenhydramine (Benadryl) and cetirizine (Zyrtec) are typically used to treat seasonal allergies. They can reduce inflammation in the airway and improve breathing overall. Because allergies are essentially an immune response, these medications are helpful in reducing your body’s immune system from activating the uncomfortable reaction to the presence of allergens.

How Can You Avoid Indoor Allergies?

Some allergies can affect patients all year long. Dust and pet dander are some of the most common indoor allergies. Someone affected by reactions to pet dander will need to avoid keeping a pet at home. Dust allergies require more thorough house cleaning to prevent the presence of dust. Patients can also use an air purifier to reduce airborne allergens indoors.

Pollen

Pollen is active during spring and can enter the home on clothing and shoes and through open windows.

Dust Mites

Dust mites can live in bedding carpets or curtains. They thrive in dusty, humid areas of the home.

Pet Dander

Dust mites can live in bedding carpets or curtains. They thrive in dusty, humid areas of the home.

Mold

Dust mites can live in bedding carpets or curtains. They thrive in dusty, humid areas of the home.

Chemical Fumes

Furniture products and building materials made with formaldehyde can degrade over time and release chemical gases into the home.

Scented Hygiene Products

Sprayed deodorants and other scented hygiene products used in the home can become airborne chemical agents that you eventually breathe.

How to Avoid and Treat the Complications

Patients with COPD and allergies can avoid flare-ups by taking the necessary precautions. If they have seasonal allergies, they should be prepared during those seasonal allergy periods to avoid time outdoors. Indoor allergens require minimizing those airborne allergens as much as possible. Working with your doctor is the best place to start to receive helpful medications to manage symptoms effectively.

Get Tested

Know what airborne allergens may be aggravating your COPD. Doctors can help pinpoint causes of respiratory flare-ups.

Medications

Some medications can help manage flare-ups. Speak to your doctor about help when flare-ups are at their worst. 

Limit Time Outdoors During Allergy Season

Fall and spring are prime times for seasonal allergies. If you experience flare-ups during these times, limit the amount of time you spend outdoors.

Clean and Declutter

Keeping a clean and clutter-free home can help minimize dust. 

Manage Pet Dander

Keep your pets off furniture and regularl bathe them to reduce pet dander. 

Use an Air Humidifier

Air purifiers reduce airborne particles indoors. Look for an air purifier with an HEPA filter for the best results. 

Avoid Smoking and Exposure to Secondhand Smoke

Cigarette and cigar smoke can aggravate COPD. Do not smoke and avoid second-hand smoke. Do not allow smoking in your home.

Immunotherapy

In extreme cases, immunotherapy can help boost the immune system to provide natural defense against COPD flare-ups.

Equipment Maintenance

It is important to maintain your oxygen therapy equipment. Clean filters clean and make sure intake vents are not blocked. Well-maintained oxygen concentrators can provide better oxygen therapy.

What are the Common COPD Triggers in the Winter?

Dampness in winter can lead to mold growth in the home, which can trigger flare-ups. During winter windows are closed and the heat is running, stirring up dust in ducting systems which also can become triggers.

Tips to Help You Manage COPD in Cold Weather

Use Your Inhaler

Your inhaler is your go-to during flare-ups throughout the year. Keep yours handy during the winter months. 

Do Not Smoke

Smoking only makes COPD symptoms worse. Avoid smoking to avoid flare-ups. 

Avoid Fireplaces or Wood-Burning Stoves

While fireplaces and wood burning stoves keep your home cozy, the fumes produced can aggravate your COPD.

Exercise at Home

Winter months can be more sedentary. Sitting too much reduces wellness, especially for COPD patients. Staying active at home with a regular exercise routine helps keep your lungs and your attitude healthy.

Wear Protective Gear to Try to Breathe Through Your Nose

Wear a mask when necessary to help protect your lungs from pollutants and allergens, especially when you are away from home. Also, breathing through your nose helps deliver moist air to your lungs. This is especially important during the winter months when the air can be drier.

Get the Annual Flu Shot

Staying healthy includes getting your essential vaccinations to protect against respiratory illnesses. The flu is highly infectious and compromises lung function, which can be a risk for COPD patients.

Summary

One of the common treatments for COPD is oxygen therapy. Pure oxygen can also help reduce the symptoms of allergies while assisting with breathing for patients with COPD. Patients with both conditions can always rely on their oxygen concentrator for breathing support during seasonal allergy periods. Regular use of oxygen therapy can help alleviate both the symptoms of COPD and the discomfort of allergies.

The Oxygen Concentrator Supplies Shop would be happy to help you find oxygen therapy products that fit your needs! Please give our expert team a call at 888-941-1688 today!

Chris Vasta

Chris Vasta is the president of The CPAP Shop and an expert in sleep and respiratory therapy. He often provides insights on product design and functionality on various manufacturers’ prototypes and is frequently tapped to provide reviews on new releases.