Allergies/​Asthma

Seventeen percent of all emergency department visits are related to asthma. Asthma is a chronic condition where environmental triggers can cause airways to tighten, become inflamed, or fill with mucus. This can cause coughing, shortness of breath, wheezing, chest pain and pressure. When any of these symptoms worsen, it’s called an asthma attack.

Environmental triggers that can cause asthma include:

  • Allergens – mold, pollen, pet dander
  • Irritants – cigarette smoke, air pollution
  • Weather – the onset of colder weather
  • Exercise
  • Infections – flu, common cold

Like asthma, allergic reactions occur when the body’s immune system reacts to normally harmless substances in the environment, also called allergens. These reactions can range in intensity from mildly bothersome to life threatening, and can be episodic or chronic. It is estimated that 1 in every 5 Americans is affected by allergies.

The key to controlling allergies and asthma attacks is to partner with your doctor to pinpoint what your triggers are, and to develop an effective treatment plan for your symptoms. Onslow’s team of caregivers specializing in the treatment of asthma and allergies offers a wide variety of diagnostic tests and treatments designed to help you control and prevent troublesome symptoms or severe attacks.

Preventing asthma symptoms and asthma attacks is the key to keeping your child’s asthma under control. Our physicians work as a team with families to recognize their child’s unique asthma triggers, and to develop a plan for treating and caring for the various degrees of asthma attacks. Through collaborative case management, we provide asthmatic children and their families with helpful tools, skills and information about living with asthma.


If you would like to learn more about the allergy and asthma services offered at Onslow Ear Nose & Throat, please call (910) 219-3377 for an appointment or visit the Onslow Ear Nose & Throat website.

If you would like to learn more about the allergy and asthma services offered at Central Coast Dermatology, please call (910) 577-2334 for an appointment or visit the Central Coast Dermatology website.