Can Allergies Affect Bronchiectasis?

Posted on Thu, 26 Apr 2018

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Thu, 26 Apr 2018 Answered on

Wed, 4 Dec 2019 Last reviewed on

Question : I have bronchiectasis. I had been doing well until the last few days. I mentioned to someone that I was not feeling well (mild chest discomfit) and she said that a lot of her customers have not done well the last few days due to allergies. Can allergies affect BX? I generally do not have a bad reaction to the allergies (pollen, etc...). But with bronchiectasis, can it still be affecting me?

Answered by Dr. Drkaushal85 (44 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Yes, allergies can worsen bronchiectesis.

Detailed Answer:

Hello,

I can understand your concern.
Yes, allergy can worsen bronchiectesis.
Actually allergy causes bronchospasm. This in turn causes mucus production, breathing difficulty etc.
All these symptoms are also seen with bronchiectesis.
So allergy can cause summation (addition) of symptoms.
So better to take combination of antihistamine (levocetrizine or fexofenadine) and anti allergic (montelukast) along with bronchiectesis drugs.
Don't worry, you will be alright with this.
Hope I have solved your query. I will be happy to help you further. Wish you good health. Thanks.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Prasad