Every year, the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America (AAFA) observes the month of May as the national Asthma and Allergy Awareness month.

May is a peak time for summer and spring allergies that arise due to the abundance of different allergens at that particular time of the year. These allergens trigger attacks of asthma or seasonal allergies that plague sufferers with the problems of itching, sneezing, watery eyes and breathing difficulties. That makes the month of May a perfect time to raise public awareness about such conditions and educate people on how to manage these issues, which medications to take and what not to do.

The Asthma and Allergy Awareness Month is usually observed in conjunction with the World Asthma Day (1st Tuesday in May) and the Food Allergy Awareness Week (beginning from the 2nd Monday in May).

Hope For Those Affected

During the month of May, activists and doctors play a crucial role in spreading more information about allergy and asthma and in urging people to come forward so as to receive medical attention and treatment.

The latest statistics state that about 17 million Americans suffer from asthma. According to the US Department of Health and Human Services, individuals belonging to minority or low-income groups face a higher risk of death in case of an asthma attack due to limited access to the right medications. However, the important fact is that although asthma cannot be completely cured, the related symptoms can be effectively controlled.

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