Final answer:
The most sensitizing allergens in asthma include pollen, dust mites, pet dander, cockroaches, and mold. These allergens trigger rapid immune responses mediated by allergen-specific IgE and mast cell degranulation. Poor air quality and genetic predisposition also affect asthma exacerbation.
Step-by-step explanation:
Most Sensitizing Allergens in Asthma
Among the most sensitizing allergens that can trigger asthma attacks are pollen, dust mites, pet dander, cockroaches, and mold. Immediate (Type 1) Hypersensitivity is a reaction that involves the release of mediators from mast cells upon being triggered by specific allergen-specific IgE antibodies. These mediators cause rapid and typical asthma symptoms such as nasal edema and runny nose due to increased vascular permeability. Additionally, environments with high concentrations of pollution, such as in areas known as "asthma alleys"—like Long Beach, California and Bronx, New York—can also exacerbate asthma symptoms due to poor air quality.
Other factors that may contribute to asthma attacks include certain medications such as aspirin, air pollution, emotional stress, and exercise. Genetic predisposition to asthma also plays a significant role in how individuals may react to these environmental triggers. It's important for individuals with asthma to identify their specific allergens to manage their condition effectively.