Environmental controls in the management of allergic asthma.

Environmental allergen control is one of the four primary goals of good asthma management. The American Academy of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology has published a position statement [78] that endorses the National Asthma Education and Prevention Program management guidelines [23] and recommends that every patient with persistent asthma be evaluated for environmental allergen sensitivity. Patients who have sensitivities should receive practical advice on allergen avoidance. An accumulating body of knowledge indicates that such measures, when strictly applied for a sufficient period of time, can indeed reduce asthma symptoms, need for medication, and airway hyperresponsiveness. Ongoing prospective trials in large numbers of patients are being conducted and should enhance the ability to make proper recommendations to patients.