The Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America (AAFA) is deeply concerned about recent federal actions and congressional budget threats that could put millions of Americans with asthma and allergies at risk. These policy changes jeopardize access to essential health care, environmental protections, and disability accommodations—critical safeguards for the over 100 million people in the U.S. living with asthma and/or allergic diseases.

Ensuring access to quality health care, clean air, and safe learning environments is essential for managing these conditions. However, recent administrative and legislative developments put people with asthma and allergies at risk. These developments include the following:

• Congressional Budget Threats to Medicaid: The House Budget Committee has advanced a resolution that could cut up to $880 billion in Medicaid funding over the next 10 years. These cuts would drastically undermine Medicaid coverage for more than 80 million low-income individuals, including millions of children and adults with asthma and allergies who rely on Medicaid for access to life-saving medications, specialist care, and emergency treatments.
  
  Medicaid plays a critical role in managing asthma—the most common chronic disease in children. In fact, nearly half of all children with asthma are covered by Medicaid or CHIP, making the program essential for access to life-saving treatments. Medicaid cuts or policy changes that restrict eligibility, increase out-of-pocket costs, or limit access to specialists would disproportionately harm asthma patients, particularly in low-income and medically underserved communities.
  
  

• Reducing ACA Enrollment Opportunities: The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) has proposed a rule that would shorten the Affordable Care Act (ACA) open enrollment period for the 2026 coverage year by a month. This change will give people less time to enroll in health insurance, increasing the risk that individuals with asthma and allergies will miss coverage deadlines and face gaps in medication access and preventive care.
  
  Additionally, the rule eliminates the special monthly enrollment period for low-income households earning less than 150% of the federal poverty level, making it harder for vulnerable populations to obtain and maintain continuous coverage. The rule also threatens access to care under the ACA for some young people. These changes, combined with significant funding cuts for nonprofit navigator programs that help individuals enroll, could lead to a sharp decline in ACA participation and a rise in asthma-related emergencies due to loss of access to essential care.
  
  

• Eliminating EPA Environmental Justice Offices and targeting Clean Air Protections: The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced the closure of all environmental justice offices, which were responsible for addressing pollution and environmental health disparities in marginalized communities. This decision removes vital resources for communities disproportionately impacted by poor air quality—a major trigger for asthma attacks and other respiratory issues. Without these offices, efforts to reduce pollution exposure, enforce clean air protections, and improve environmental health outcomes will be severely weakened.
  
  EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin also announced plans to roll back key clean air protections, including weakening National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) for fine particulate matter (PM2.5) and ozone, reversing methane and greenhouse gas limits for oil and gas operations, and loosening vehicle emissions standards. These rollbacks will lead to increased air pollution, worsening asthma rates, and greater health disparities—especially for children and low-income communities who already bear the brunt of poor air quality.
  
  

• HHS Reorganization & Uncertainty: The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Office of General Counsel (OGC) announced a major reorganization that will close 6 of its 10 regional offices. OGC attorneys in these offices play a vital role in enforcing nursing home and hospital standards, overseeing public health policies, and ensuring compliance with programs like Head Start. The closures could significantly reduce federal oversight and enforcement of healthcare regulations, creating gaps in accountability and potentially worsening health outcomes for vulnerable populations, including those with asthma and allergies.
  
  Additionally, HHS announced the creation of a Chief Counsel for Food, Research, and Drugs—a position that will oversee legal matters related to the FDA and NIH. While the full implications of this restructuring remain unclear, any disruption in legal oversight for medical research and public health regulations could delay critical advancements in asthma and allergy treatment.
  
  These changes also coincide with a federal effort to offload “non-core” government properties, including many key HHS buildings, raising concerns about the long-term stability of public health agencies.
  
  

• Undermining Science-Based Public Health Information and Research: The National Cancer Institute (NCI), part of the NIH, has issued a directive limiting its engagement on certain public health topics, including vaccines and peanut allergies, raising concerns that NCI and potentially other NIH institutes may be restricted from sharing or funding research on critical health issues. While this directive currently applies only to NCI, AAFA is concerned it could expand to other institutes like the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), delaying or canceling essential research on food allergies, asthma, and other allergic conditions.
  
  These conditions require continued research and scientific advancements to improve treatment and prevention strategies. Limiting funding or restricting communication about public health science undermines trust in proven medical interventions and threatens the health of millions.
  
  

• Threats to 504 Plan Enforcement: The Department of Education announced layoffs of over 1,300 of its about 4,000 employees. These layoffs will significantly impact the Office of Civil Rights weakening oversight and enforcement of Section 504 plans. Section 504 plans ensure students with asthma and allergies receive necessary accommodations in school such medication access and emergency response plans. Schools, especially those in under-resourced communities, may face greater challenges in compliance, leaving students vulnerable to preventable health risks.

AAFA remains committed to advocating for policies that protect people with asthma and allergies. We call on policymakers to uphold strong disability protections, environmental health regulations, access to affordable healthcare, and science-based public health initiatives.

“Millions of Americans rely on policies that ensure they can breathe clean air, access affordable care and innovative treatments, and receive critical accommodations in schools,” said Kenneth Mendez, AAFA President and CEO. “These rollbacks threaten not only the health and safety of our community but also our economy by driving up healthcare costs and leading to more missed work and school days. AAFA will continue to fight for these protections and ensure that our community’s needs are heard.”

AAFA stands as a trusted voice for the asthma and allergy community, providing resources and advocacy to improve health outcomes. We will continue to monitor these policy changes and engage with lawmakers to prevent harmful rollbacks.

If you or a loved one has been impacted by asthma, allergies, or the potential loss of critical health protections, we encourage you to share your story with us. Your personal experiences are a powerful tool in helping us advocate for better policies and raise awareness about the real-world impact of these changes. Together, we can make our voices heard for all those affected by asthma and allergies. Share your story with AAFA today contacting us directly.

Experts develop standard definition and educational tools for health care professionals

Melanie Carver, Chief Mission Officer of the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America (AAFA), said the new consensus definition of anaphylaxis improves understanding and will also improve treatment.

“A clear, straightforward definition of anaphylaxis will help ensure people experiencing this potentially life-threatening allergic reaction get the care they need,” said Carver. “We commend the work of this panel to derive an evidence-based, patient-centered definition. The result of this work will mean both improved awareness and increase the likelihood of timely treatment.”

Carver joined a group of experts and patient advocacy groups to collaborate across the globe to develop this new definition.

See below from Cincinnati Children’s for more on how the work was done and what the new definition means for patients and providers.

New Consensus Report on Anaphylaxis: A Major Advancement in Allergy Care

New tool offers fresh guidelines for first responders, emergency care providers, allergists, and others, including how to manage infants

CINCINNATI – A groundbreaking consensus report on anaphylaxis – the severe reaction some people experience from bee stings, peanut butter exposures, medications, and the like – has been released by the Global Allergy and Asthma Excellence Network (GA2LEN) and recently published in The Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology.

The report, developed by an international panel of leading medical experts and patient advocacy organizations, aims to standardize the often-differing definitions of anaphylaxis and teach people how to recognize and manage the condition.

“Many people, including young children and adults, carry epinephrine-injectors (aka epi-pens) to self-treat if an emergency occurs. Many others do not. Likewise, our sprawling medical system, from first responders to hospital emergency staff, does not consistently follow guidelines for diagnosing and treating anaphylaxis. This is partly because no uniform guidelines are used internationally to define, recognize and treat anaphylaxis. That’s what this report seeks to address,” says Tim Dribin, MD, an emergency medicine expert at Cincinnati Children’s and the study’s co-chair who devoted a year to leading the group that produced the new standards.

“This tool includes updated clinical criteria to help diagnose anaphylaxis, criteria for using and dosing intramuscular epinephrine, and much more. Importantly, this is the first tool to include distinct infant findings to improve anaphylaxis management in young children,” Dribin says.

Burden of Anaphylaxis

Anaphylaxis is a constant burden to patients and caregivers around the world. At any moment, thousands of people encounter situations that could cause severe allergic reactions, with symptoms including hives, swollen lips and tongue, difficulty breathing, wheezing, vomiting, and passing out. While fatalities are rare, successful outcomes require rapid recognition and treatment.

Epinephrine is the only proven anaphylaxis treatment to reduce the risk of hospitalization and death. However, only 21% of children and 7% of adults experiencing anaphylaxis receive epinephrine in the community. Additionally, epinephrine underuse in emergency departments is well-documented.

Expert Collaboration

The new report reflects the efforts of a 46-member panel of experts from 14 countries and seven medical specialties. The findings have received endorsements from 34 medical and patient advocacy organizations. The National Institutes of Health, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, and the European Medicines Agency all participated in the study.

"The clinical support tool is a game-changer in anaphylaxis management,” says Hugh Sampson, MD, an internationally renowned food allergy and anaphylaxis expert at Mount Sinai School of Medicine and the study’s chair. “By improving the rate of epinephrine use, we can significantly reduce the risk of severe reactions and fatalities, ultimately saving lives. The report will also be instrumental for advancing cutting edge research to improve the care and outcomes of patients with anaphylaxis."

"I believe the elements of this report will help ensure that patients around the world receive timely and appropriate treatment, potentially saving lives," says Antonella Muraro, MD, PhD, an internationally renowned pediatric allergist at the University of Padova in Italy and the study’s co-chair. “The report will be invaluable to first responders, emergency department providers, hospital providers, and allergists, as well as researchers trying to better understand and manage this serious and burdensome condition.”

Key Highlights of the Report

1. Unified definition: The report introduces a new, widely agreed upon definition of anaphylaxis, emphasizing its potential to cause death and detailing the involved organ systems. This definition is designed to be easily understood by health care professionals and the general public to promote improved awareness of anaphylaxis.
   
   
2. Educational overview: An innovative educational tool for health care professionals from different medical fields, training backgrounds, and experience levels. The overview provides essential information on recognizing and managing anaphylaxis, including common causes, symptoms, timely treatment with epinephrine, and key concepts for managing life-threatening reactions.
   
   
3. Clinical support tool: A new clinical support tool will help health care providers diagnose and treat anaphylaxis. This tool includes updated clinical criteria, indications, and dosing for intramuscular epinephrine and common findings from the different anaphylaxis organ systems. It is the first tool to include distinct infant findings to improve anaphylaxis management in young children, benefiting health care providers not accustomed to caring for children.

Media contact for Dr. Dribin:

Tim Bonfield
Cincinnati Children’s
Timothy.bonfield@cchmc.org

As spring begins, now is a good time to start fresh by giving your home a thorough cleaning. If you have asthma and allergies, a clean living space can reduce your contact with allergens and irritants. Follow this checklist to help improve your indoor air quality and keep asthma and allergy triggers at bay. Be sure to use Certified Asthma & Allergy Friendly® products to have a healthier home.

As you clean, you may stir up allergens and asthma triggers. This can cause them to become airborne and get into your eyes, nose, mouth, and lungs. This is especially common when vacuuming, dusting, or cleaning up mold.

To reduce your exposure to asthma and allergy triggers while cleaning, wear an N95 mask and goggles and cover your hair. Or have someone else clean while you are not in the room. Also use Certified Asthma & Allergy Friendly® products that can help capture allergens and reduce your exposure.

Bedrooms

• Remove clutter.
• Replace pillows if more than 2years old.
• Wash curtains and throw rugs in water at 130° F or hotter weekly.
• Mop solid surface floors and under all furniture.
• Remove dust on and behind furniture, like dressers and nightstands, on ceiling fans and light fixtures, and closet shelves (use a microfiber cloth or Certified Asthma & Allergy Friendly® dust cloth that traps allergens).
• Check allergen barrier covers on mattresses and pillows for wear – replace, if necessary.
• Replace or clean filters in air cleaners.
• Vacuum mattresses, fabric furniture, and wall-to-wall carpet weekly with a Certified Asthma & Allergy Friendly®.
  
  

Bathrooms

• Fix leaks.
• Dust or rinse clean the exhaust fan covers.
• Clean and remove mold (check showers, tubs, sinks, toilets, and inside cabinets).
• Check shower curtains for signs of mold and mildew – replace, if necessary.
• If your bathroom has a window, wash curtains or replace them with frosted glass or blinds. Clean weekly.
• Wash throw rugs in water at 130° F or hotter weekly.
  
  

Living/Family Room

• Remove clutter.
• Remove dust from ceiling fans and electronics.
• Mop solid surface floors and under all furniture.
• Wash curtains and throw rugs in water at 130° F or hotter weekly.
• Replace filters in air cleaners.
• Vacuum furniture and wall-to-wall carpet weekly with a Certified Asthma & Allergy Friendly® (Long term, it is best to replace carpet with CERTIFIED solid surface flooring, if possible).
  
  

Kitchen

• Fix leaks.
• Remove mold. Check sinks, inside cabinets, produce bins, trash cans, and refrigerator seals.
• Wipe down the tops of cabinets and range hoods often with warm, soapy water.
• Wash curtains and throw rugs in water at 130° F or hotter weekly.
• Clean your garbage disposal with baking soda and white vinegar.
• Mop floors and under all furniture.
  
  

Looking for tips for other areas of your home? Check out our Healthier Home Checklist. Our interactive checklist can help you learn ways to improve your indoor air quality and reduce asthma and allergy triggers throughout your entire home.

When spring allergy season first starts, causing you to sniffle and sneeze, tree pollen is usually to blame. Trees produce pollen February through April in most of the United States. In the Southern U.S., trees can produce pollen as early as December or January and peak throughout the year.

What Are the Symptoms of a Tree Pollen Allergy?

A pollen allergy can cause seasonal allergic rhinitis – commonly called “hay fever.” Pollen released by trees, as well as grasses and weeds, cause allergy symptoms. They include:

• Runny nose (also known as rhinorrhea – this is typically a clear, thin nasal discharge)
• Stuffy nose (due to blockage or nasal congestion – one of the most common and troublesome symptoms)
• Sneezing
• Itchy nose, eyes, ears, and mouth
• Red and watery eyes
• Swelling around the eyes
  
  

If you have allergic asthma and are allergic to tree pollen, you might also have asthma symptoms while the trees are producing pollen.

Tree pollen is light so the wind can carry it for miles. These light, dry grains easily find their way to your sinuses, lungs, and eyes, making them hard to avoid.

What Trees Cause the Most Symptoms?

Some tree pollen causes more problems than others. Some of the trees that cause the most symptoms are:

• Alder
• Ash
• Aspen
• Beech
• Birch
• Box elder
• Cedar
• Cottonwood
• Elm
• Hickory
• Juniper
• Maple
• Mulberry
• Oak
• Olive
• Pecan
• Poplar
• Walnut
• Willow
  
  

Mountain cedar and juniper can cause seasonal allergy symptoms called “cedar fever” December through February. It mostly occurs in Arizona, Missouri, New Mexico, Oklahoma, and Texas.

What Can I Do to Relieve My Pollen Allergy Symptoms?

Thankfully, there are several options for relieving pollen allergy symptoms, available both over the counter and by prescription. Talk with your doctor about your symptoms and treatment options. Your doctor might have you take a combination of medicines and treatments to keep your symptoms controlled. These include:

• Nasal rinses
• Nose sprays
• Eye drops
• Antihistamines
• Decongestants
• Leukotriene [loo-kuh-trahy-een] modifiers
• Cromolyn sodium
  
  

Talk with your doctor about taking your allergy medicines and starting treatment before tree pollen season starts in your area.

If these medicines don’t completely relieve your symptoms, your doctor might also give you immunotherapy. This is a long-term treatment that can reduce the severity of your allergic reactions. It usually involves regular shots, tablets, or drops you take under the tongue.

You can also take steps to reduce your exposure to tree pollen:

• If you haven’t had allergy testing, find a board-certified allergist to test you for pollen allergies. Work with your doctor to come up with a treatment plan.
  
  
• Limit your outdoor activities when pollen counts are high. This will cut down the amount of pollen allergen you inhale and help reduce your symptoms.
  
  

• Watch pollen counts and forecasts. Many local weather reports will give pollen counts or forecasts. You can also visit websites like pollen.aaaai.org for pollen reports.
  
  

• Cover your hair, nose, mouth, and eyes while outside.
  
  

• Use central air conditioning or air cleaners with a Certified Asthma & Allergy Friendly® filter and/or HEPA filter to reduce your exposure to indoor airborne allergens (including pollen that may enter your home through doors, windows, on your clothes, and on pets), if possible.
  
  

• Dry your clothes in a dryer and not outside on a clothesline.
  
  
• Change and wash clothes you wear during outdoor activities as soon as you come inside.
  
  

It may be hard to avoid tree pollen during the late winter and spring. But you can reduce your symptoms with the right treatment.

Medical Review: Content summarized from Tree Pollen Allergy and Pollen Allergy which were reviewed August 2024 and September 2024 by Mitchell Grayson, MD

Section 504 – which provides important protections for school children with asthma and allergies – is at risk. We’re asking you to help us save these protections.

In September 2024, a group of 17 states sued the U.S. government. This lawsuit threatens the 504 plan protections for students with disabilities. This includes students with asthma and/or food allergies who go to schools that get funding from the federal government. All public schools and many private schools receive federal funding.

Below you will find information on Section 504, the lawsuit, and how you can take action if you live in one of the 17 states suing the government. These are the 17 states:

• Alabama
• Alaska
• Arkansas
• Florida
• Georgia
• Indiana
• Iowa
• Kansas
• Louisiana
• Missouri
• Montana
• Nebraska
• South Carolina
• South Dakota
• Texas
• Utah
• West Virginia
  
  

What Is Section 504?

Section 504 is part of a law that is more than 50 years old that protects people with disabilities. This law says that anyone who receives money from the federal government cannot exclude or discriminate against people with disabilities. Discrimination means treating people unfairly.

A disability defined by Section 504 is a “physical or mental impairment which substantially limits one or more major life activities.” A “major life activity” includes walking, seeing, hearing, speaking, breathing, learning, working, and eating. Under Section 504, asthma and food allergies are often considered disabilities.

The federal government updates Section 504 rules over time. Thousands of advocates wrote letters to the federal government about what to include in a new update. In 2024, the federal government released an update to the Section 504 rules. States are challenging this update and the legal status of Section 504.

Why Is Section 504 Important?

Section 504 is important because it makes sure that people with asthma, food allergies, and other disabilities are treated fairly in their schools.

A Section 504 plan is a way schools follow this law. A 504 plan is a legally binding plan written by a school along with a student and their family. It addresses how the school will accommodate your child’s condition with the goal of providing a safe education.

504 plans might help make sure:

• Students are able to access and use their medicines (such as inhalers with spacers, nebulizers, or epinephrine)
• Changes are made to the classroom environment to reduce asthma triggers
• School staff must be trained on managing asthma and food allergies and what to do in an emergency
• Students have a safe place to eat lunch and snacks if allergic to some foods
• Students are not fed their food allergen
  
  

Not all students with asthma and/or food allergies need a 504 plan. But it is important to protect the right to have one for students who do need it.

What Is Texas v. Becerra?

Seventeen states filed a legal document, called a complaint, in court to sue the federal government. The name of the case is Texas v. Becerra.

The states in Texas v. Becerra started by challenging updates to Section 504 rules made in 2024. This would not have affected 504 plans.

But the states are also saying the entire Section 504 itself is unconstitutional. This means educational 504 plans are at risk.

The 17 states are asking that the court:

1. Stop the enforcement of updated Section 504 rules
2. Declare the 2024 rule update to Section 504 illegal
3. Declare Section 504 unconstitutional
   
   

If the court decides that Section 504 is unconstitutional, Section 504 regulations from all agencies, including the Department of Education, would no longer be in effect.  This would have direct consequences for any students with 504 plans based on asthma or food allergies.

What Are Attorneys General Saying About Accommodations in Schools?

People who live in the 17 states, including parents of children with 504 plans, have begun asking their state attorneys general why they are threatening their children’s 504 protections. In response, multiple state attorney generals have claimed they are not challenging Section 504. That is not true. The lawsuit plainly asks the court to declare Section 504 unconstitutional.

What Can I Do to Protect 504 Plans in Schools for Children with Asthma and Allergies?

If you live in one of the 17 states, you can ask your attorney general to protect Section 504 and to withdraw from the case. Send your request to your state’s attorney general. We have included 2 options below for you to contact your attorney general depending on which state you live in.

If You Live in Alabama, Georgia, Indiana, Kansas, Missouri, South Carolina, South Dakota, Texas, or West Virginia

Click on your state name below to go to your state’s contact webpage. You can also use the sample letter below to share your concerns.

ALABAMA

GEORGIA

INDIANA

KANSAS

MISSOURI

SOUTH CAROLINA

SOUTH DAKOTA

TEXAS

WEST VIRGINIA

Sample letter to send to your attorney general

If You Live in Alaska, Arkansas, Florida, Iowa, Louisiana, Montana, Nebraska, or Utah

Use the form below to send a letter to your attorney general.

Welcome to our February research update! Getting involved with research is an important way to impact asthma and allergy treatments, education, and awareness.

This month, we are highlighting clinical trials, surveys, and news on:

• Eosinophilic asthma
• Nasal polyps
• Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV)
• Allergic rhinitis (hay fever) treatments
• Montelukast and children’s mental health
• Antibiotics and asthma
• Biologics for asthma
• Asthma caregivers’ quality of life

Note: The links below will take you to external websites.

Surveys

Nasal Polyps Research Opportunity

Exafield US, specialists in recruiting patients for scientific studies, are currently looking for people with chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps.

The purpose of this study is to understand patient experiences of Chronic Rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps and how it affects their everyday lives on a day-to-day basis. The study does not involve treatments; we are only interested in opinions.

Participants would participate in a 30-minute survey (no phones or tablets) and will be paid for their time. Confirmation of diagnosis will be required to confirm eligibility.

If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps and are interested in participating or would like more information about the study, please contact Britney at: jiron@exafield.com.

Sponsored by Exafield

LEARN MORE

Latest Asthma and Allergy News

Allergies

Nasal Sprays Versus Oral Treatments for Allergic Rhinitis
A recent study looked at how nasal sprays compare to medicines taken by mouth for allergic rhinitis, also known as hay fever. The researchers looked at 35 studies to compare how the treatments improve symptoms and quality of life.

The results showed that nasal sprays were better at reducing nasal and eye symptoms and improving daily life. Specifically, corticosteroid nasal sprays worked better than oral antihistamines (such as Zyrtec and Claritin) and leukotriene receptor antagonists (such as montelukast). Nasal spray antihistamines were also more effective than antihistamines taken by mouth.

The study suggests that people with seasonal allergic rhinitis may benefit more from using nasal sprays instead of oral medicines.

Asthma

Study Suggests Montelukast May Not Increase Risk of Mental Health Side Effects in Children
Some reports suggest a link between the use of montelukast (Singulair) for asthma and allergies and mental health problems in children and teens. These reports led the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to give it a black box warning about these risks in 2020.

A new study looked at the risk of mental health issues in children and teens who take montelukast. Researchers looked at data from more than 74,000 children in Sweden between 2007 and 2021. They compared children who took montelukast to children who used another asthma medicine. Researchers tracked conditions like anxiety, depression, sleep problems, and suicidal thoughts.

The results showed no major difference in the risk of mental health issues between the 2 groups. This suggests that montelukast does not necessarily increase the risk of mental health side effects in children and teens. These findings can further help doctors decide on safe asthma and allergy treatments.

Asthma Specialists May Not Agree on When to Start Biologics
Though monoclonal antibody treatments (biologics) for severe asthma are on the rise, there are no clear guidelines for how and when they should be prescribed. A recent study looked at how asthma specialists choose biologics for severe asthma patients. Researchers asked 86 specialists from Canada and 26 other countries to review real patient cases and decide whether to prescribe a biologic treatment and, if so, which one. The results showed weak agreement among specialists, both in deciding whether to use a biologic and in selecting a specific treatment. The results suggest that choosing the best biologic therapy for each patient remains a challenge. More research is needed to find reliable ways to predict which treatment will work best.

Factors That Impact Caregivers' Quality of Life Caring for Young Children with Asthma
While there is a lot of research on the well-being of people with asthma, there is less research on how caregivers are impacted. A recent study looked at factors affecting the quality of life for caregivers of young children with asthma. Researchers studied 398 caregivers in Baltimore, Maryland, who participated in an asthma education program. They looked at personal factors like health literacy, confidence in managing asthma, and depression, as well as system-level factors like barriers to care and neighborhood support. Results showed that caregivers with lower health literacy and more challenges accessing care had a lower quality of life. These findings were the same after six months. The study suggests that improving caregiver health literacy and reducing barriers to asthma care could help caregivers feel less overwhelmed and improve their well-being.

Asthma is a chronic (long-term) disease that causes inflammation and swelling of your airways. Nasal polyps are soft tissue growths on the lining inside the nose and sinuses. While they seem very different, they are actually related.

What Do Nasal Polyps and Asthma Have in Common?

Both asthma and nasal polyps are caused by something called type 2 inflammation. Type 2 inflammation is a type of immune response. This type of response happens when your body senses an intruder like an infection or allergens. But sometimes, your immune system has a type 2 response when there is no intruder. This ends up causing damage to the body itself.

If you have a condition caused by type 2 inflammation – such as asthma – you have a good chance of having another type 2 condition. This is how nasal polyps and asthma are connected. If you have asthma, you have a greater chance of having nasal polyps.

What Should I Do If I Think I Have Nasal Polyps?

If you think you have nasal polyps, an allergist or ear, nose, and throat specialist (ENT) can make a diagnosis. They can help you come up with a treatment plan to help you manage your nasal polyps.

You will likely see a team of doctors if you have nasal polyps, especially if you also have asthma. They can include:

• Primary care physician (PCP)
• Ear, nose, and throat (ENT) specialist
• Allergist/immunologist
• Sinus surgeon (ENT or neurosurgeon)
  
  

Keeping your nasal polyps and asthma under control is important for your quality of life and health. This may include managing possible allergies too. If you do not get treatment for nasal polyps, they can cause long-term problems in your nose and sinuses.

Where Can I Find Nasal Polyps Resources?

Nasal polyps are also known as chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps (CRSwNP) and nasal polyp syndrome. The Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America (AAFA) offers resources on nasal polyps to help you learn more about signs and symptoms, management, and treatment options.

• AAFA offers free educational programs for people with nasal polyps and their caregivers. Watch nasal polyps webinars on demand.
  
  
• AAFA’s Life with Nasal Polyps report identifies unmet needs and areas of opportunity for improving nasal polyps care.
  
  
• Want to learn more about nasal polyps? See AAFA’s A Guide to Nasal Polyps.

Print, download, and share

Educational content created independently by AAFA with support from Sanofi and Regeneron.

Medical Review: adapted from the webpages “What is Type 2 Inflammation?” reviewed June 2023 and “Nasal Polyps,” reviewed July 2024 by John James, MD

References
1. Khan, A. H., Gouia, I., Kamat, S., Johnson, R., Small, M., & Siddall, J. (2023a). Prevalence and severity distribution of type 2 inflammation-related comorbidities among patients with asthma, chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps, and atopic dermatitis. Lung, 201(1), 57–63. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00408-023-00603-z