Resources for Care and Support
Allergy & Asthma Network has been helping people with asthma, allergies, and other immune conditions for over 35 years. Here are various resources for people with respiratory and other immune conditions (or their caregivers) to find help and support. Resources include articles, videos, podcasts, and services.
Save money on medications and food
Affording vital medications and allergen friendly foods can be costly. Below are links to resources to help you save money where possible.
The Allergy & Asthma Network provides several strategies for individuals who find it challenging to afford their asthma medication. Get various ideas on how to shop around for the best pricing on your medications, and links to manufacturers that may offer programs or coupons.
Learn various options for individuals who find it difficult to afford their allergy medications. This includes store cards, bulk buys, store brands, coupons, and links to various online pharmacies and manufacturers of allergy medications.
Find several options for individuals who find it challenging to afford their eczema medication. Get ideas on how to shop around for the best pricing on your medications, and links to manufacturers that may offer programs or coupons.
Learn how the Allergy & Asthma Network helps people get the medicine they need for allergies and asthma. Sometimes, people can’t get their medicine because it’s too expensive or insurance makes it hard. The Network fights for everyone to have access to the right and affordable medicines.
Get practical tips for families dealing with food allergies to afford allergen-free foods. Including local food pantries, meal planning, budget, generic options, coupons, safe substitutions, bulk buying, and other resources. These options aim to help families navigate the financial challenges of maintaining an allergen-free diet without compromising on safety or nutrition.
Use this tip sheet to help improve your chances of getting assistance for household costs or medical expenses. It includes an accompanying audio version if you prefer to learn by listening.
Free services
Allergy & Asthma Network offers opportunities for free services and resources for our community.
The Allergy & Asthma Network has a special program that helps people with asthma for free. You can talk to coaches online, who teach you how to take care of your asthma better. They give you tips on remembering your medicine and what to do if you have an asthma attack. It’s like having a teacher for your asthma, and you don’t even have to leave your house! You have to be 18 or older and live in the U.S. to join.
Patient navigators help people with allergies and asthma get the care they need. They make plans for your health, help you talk to doctors and insurance, and find resources like translators and financial help. All their services are free!
How Can a Patient Navigator Help People with Allergies and Asthma?
See various research study opportunities for yourself or your family.
Learn about various ways to connect to your legislators or build a network to help advocate for people with asthma, allergies, or other immune conditions.
Health Insurance
Understanding health coverage can be overwhelming. We put together a toolkit that covers all the challenges and education you need to know in order to choose your plan, save money, or appeal and prescription denial.
Health insurance can be tricky, but it’s super important for making smart choices about your health and money. When you understand what your insurance covers, you can avoid surprise costs and get the care you need.
In this Toolkit, you’ll learn how to pick the best health insurance plan, get ready for open enrollment, manage your healthcare spending, and stand up for yourself!
Understanding health insurance can be complicated, but it’s important as you make Health insurance in the United States can be complicated and difficult to understand. For many, it is also stressful. What does a plan cover and not cover? What does it cost? Which are the best plans?
The open enrollment period is when you can review, enroll in, or change health insurance coverage for the upcoming year. No matter how you get health insurance, this can change your costs and coverage.
Here is what you need to know to make informed decisions about your healthcare coverage.
Healthcare costs can be a big worry for many people. It can make you unsure about whether you can pay for medicines and treatments, which can lead to stress. This stress can make health problems, like asthma, even worse.
But with some planning, you can manage your healthcare costs so they don’t feel too heavy. Here are some strategies to help you make smart choices!
Health insurance can be a complicated system. It helps people and families get medical care while trying to keep costs low. Let’s explore how health insurance works, the different types of insurance available, and what you should think about as you learn more about healthcare.
Access to healthcare is a basic right for everyone. However, paying for medical treatment can be a big worry for people all over the world. In many places, healthcare costs keep going up. Medical bills can add up fast, making it hard for families to pay and sometimes even leading to bankruptcy. This makes it tough for people to get the care they need.
Paying for medical bills shouldn’t cause stress. Let’s look at what makes healthcare so expensive and explore different ways to pay for it. You’ll also find tips on how to manage healthcare costs while still getting good care!
Getting your insurance denied can be really frustrating. It can make you feel helpless when you’re worried about your health. But remember, you have rights as someone who has insurance! There are steps you can take to stand up for yourself and take charge of your healthcare.
Here’s what you need to know about handling insurance denials and how to appeal their decisions.
There are many FDA-approved medicines that can help treat asthma, allergies, and related conditions. When you visit your doctor and they give you a prescription, you might be excited to start taking the new medicine.
But then, when you go to the pharmacy, you find out that your insurance won’t cover it. This happens more often than you might think, and it can be really frustrating.
Don’t give up! Understanding how insurance works and what the different terms mean can help you figure out what you and your doctor can do to get your medicine covered. Having health insurance is especially important for people with asthma and severe allergies because their medicine can be very expensive.
Allergies and asthma are long-term health problems. Many people with these conditions need to take medicine for a long time and visit the doctor regularly. If you have asthma and allergies, having good health insurance is important to help you stay healthy.
Open enrollment season is the time when you can add or change your insurance plan if you need to. Use the information below to learn how and when to explore your health insurance options.
A person with asthma, allergies or related conditions often needs expensive medications. Even if you liked your plan one year, you should review your plan’s coverage for following year. It can change from year to year. Your plan may have made changes for next enrollment period. These changes could increase or decrease your out-of-pocket costs.
Use this time to make sure your plan offers the best medication coverage for you.
Resources for Parents
Parents, teachers, and caregivers can use the following resources to help them help children in the allergy, asthma, and immunology space.
Are you a parent of a child with asthma? Learn how to effectively communicate your child’s needs to teachers and school staff, ensuring everyone knows how to respond in case of an asthma attack.
Discover the importance of identifying asthma triggers, like dust or smoke, and how schools can create a safer environment. You’ll find practical tips on ensuring your child’s medications, like inhalers, are accessible and that school staff understands how to use them.
Our guide also covers emergency plans, so staff is prepared if your child struggles to breathe. Plus, learn how to teach your child self-management skills, empowering them to recognize when they need help.
Equip yourself with the knowledge to advocate for your child’s health and safety at school. Read more to create a supportive and safe learning environment.
Are you a parent concerned about your child’s allergies at school? Our essential guide on managing allergies in schools provides you with crucial information to ensure your child’s safety and well-being.
Discover what types of allergies—like food, environmental, and latex—may require special attention. Learn how to effectively communicate with school staff, including teachers and the school nurse, about your child’s specific needs.
Our guide includes a comprehensive allergy planning checklist to help you prepare before the school year starts and throughout the year. Find out what to discuss during meetings with school personnel to create a supportive environment for your child.
Additionally, gain insights on emergency plans, including Anaphylaxis Emergency Care Plans, to ensure that staff knows how to respond in case of an allergic reaction. Equip yourself with the knowledge to advocate for your child’s health and safety at school.
Are you a parent or caregiver of a child with allergies or asthma? Our guide offers essential tips for navigating the back-to-school season. Learn how to effectively communicate your child’s needs to teachers and school staff, ensuring a safe environment.
Discover practical strategies for managing allergies and asthma throughout the school year, including a helpful checklist for parents. We also provide insights on recognizing symptoms and knowing when to keep your child home.
With our resources, you’ll feel empowered to advocate for your child’s health and well-being at school. Equip yourself with the knowledge to make this school year safe and successful.
Mental Health
A recent or ongoing diagnosis can be stressful. Our resources below can help you work through stress and find support.
Discover how living with food allergies can impact mental health. This page explores the anxiety and stress associated with food allergies, offering insights on managing these feelings.
Learn effective strategies for children, teens, and adults to balance vigilance with quality of life, and find support for navigating social situations. Equip yourself with the tools to foster a healthier mindset while managing food allergies.
Living with chronic hives can be tough, affecting both your skin and your mental well-being. This page offers practical tips to help you manage anxiety, stress, and depression related to chronic urticaria.
You’ll learn how to connect with your doctor, find mental health support, and join support groups. Discover the importance of building a personal support system, staying active, and practicing mindfulness.
By taking these steps, you can improve your quality of life and feel more in control. Don’t let chronic hives hold you back—empower yourself today!
Living with a mast cell disease can be a challenge – even with treatment. Is there more you can you do to feel better? The quick answer is yes. You live with your mast cell disease every day. You know your body better than anyone.
In some cases, people are able to identify what triggers mast cell disease symptoms. They learn what makes them feel worse or better. Many others are not able to find triggers but can still take medications or develop routines that can help reduce symptoms and flare-ups.
With the right information and approach to treatment, you can manage your mast cell disease effectively.
When it comes to asthma and allergies, making choices about your care is important! This page explains “Shared Decision Making,” where you and your doctor work together to decide the best treatment for you. You’ll discover tools that help you understand your options and express your preferences.
By learning how to be an active part of your care, you can feel more confident and less anxious about your treatments. This approach helps improve your health and makes sure your treatment fits your needs.
COVID-19 can be stressful, especially for those with asthma and allergies. This page offers helpful resources to support your mental health during these tough times. You’ll learn coping strategies to manage stress and anxiety, like square breathing and daily relaxation techniques.
Discover how to connect with others and practice self-kindness, which can make a big difference in your well-being. You’ll also find tips on managing information and staying grounded. By using these tools, you can feel more in control and improve your mental health.
Free Downloads
Allergy & Asthma Network offers free downloads to print yourself or read on your device. Everything from posters, to brochures, to understanding guides that’ll help you gain better insights to various conditions.
Explore a wealth of digital downloads for people with allergy, asthma, or other respiratory conditions. Guides, trackers, posters, and Spanish resources all available for free.
Chronic urticaria, also known as chronic hives, can be uncomfortable and confusing. This toolkit will help you understand what chronic urticaria is and how it differs from regular hives. You’ll learn about common triggers, symptoms, and how often it happens.
Discover how chronic urticaria is diagnosed and the treatments available, including antihistamines and creams. You’ll also find tips on how to talk to your doctor about your condition and ways to cope with living with chronic hives.
By understanding chronic urticaria better, you can take steps to manage it and improve your quality of life.
Understanding health insurance can be complicated, but it’s important as you make informed decisions about your health and finances. When you know what your insurance covers, you can avoid unexpected costs and get the care you need.
In this Toolkit, you’ll learn how to choose the right health insurance plan, prepare for open enrollment, manage your healthcare spending, and advocate for yourself.
Mast cells play an important role in our health. These tissue-based immune cells live in every organ in our body. Mast cells act as sentinels for the immune system. They are armed to recognize and respond to foreign invaders, such as a virus or an allergen. The sentinels counterattack with powerful chemical mediators that seek to repair tissue after the harm is contained.
When these mast cells start to increase in number or release chemical mediators at the wrong time, it can result in mast cell disease.
In this Toolkit, you’ll learn about various forms of MCD, getting a diagnosis, treatment options, and living with MCD.
Resources for the Black Community
Allergy & Asthma Network is working hard to make sure everyone has access to evidence based medical information, including culturally relevant articles. We have created resources for the Black community and will continually do in the future.
At the Black People Like Me virtual conference, you will learn about important issues facing the Black community regarding allergies and asthma. Discover how eczema and food allergies affect daily life and what barriers exist in getting care.
You’ll hear real stories from people living with these conditions and learn how to advocate for better health. Join us to empower yourself and your community
The video talks about how food allergies affect the Black community. It points out that there are problems with getting good healthcare. Dr. Davis says it’s important to talk openly about not having enough food and how to afford safe foods without allergens.
The video also mentions the history of mistrust in medical research. It shares ideas on how to make healthcare better, like asking for more resources and making sure different people are included in medical studies.
This website helps people understand eczema, especially in those with darker skin. It explains how eczema can look different and why it’s often misdiagnosed. You’ll find helpful tips for managing eczema, treatment options, and resources for both patients and doctors.
Get the information you need to recognize and treat eczema effectively.
The podcast episode talks about diagnosing atopic dermatitis (AD) in people with darker skin. It points out that it can often be misdiagnosed and that finding it early is important to avoid problems later.
The episode explains how AD can look different on various skin tones and how it might be confused with other skin issues like psoriasis or acne.
It also discusses testing methods, like IgE and patch tests, and stresses the need for doctors who specialize in this area to make sure patients get the right diagnosis and treatment.
Diagnosing Atopic Dermatitis in People of All Colors Podcast
In the Black People Like Me series, you will discover how asthma and COVID-19 affect the Black community. You’ll hear personal stories from people living with these conditions and learn about important questions that need answers.
Spanish Resources
Allergy & Asthma Network is working hard to make sure everyone has access to evidence based medical information. We have created many resources in Spanish and will continually do so for the community.
Our dedicated Spanish website is full of evidence based medically accurate information for asthma, allergies, food allergies, eczema, and other related conditions.
Kids spend a lot of time at school, so it’s important to manage their asthma and allergies there. This page teaches parents, students, and school staff how to work together to keep kids safe and healthy.
You’ll learn about the signs of asthma and allergies, how to communicate effectively, and what to do in emergencies. There are tips for students on how to ask for help and manage their conditions.
By understanding these important topics, everyone can help create a safe learning environment. Make sure your child can focus on learning without worrying about their health.
Check out our Hispanic Resources in both print and free downloads. There are posters, booklets, pamphlets, infosheets, and understanding guides.
Learn about important topics in allergy and asthma care at the Unidos Hablemos 2024 virtual conference. This event focuses on the challenges faced by the Hispanic/Latino community regarding allergies and asthma. You’ll discover topics like how food allergies and eczema affect daily life and what resources are available to help.
Join us to gain valuable knowledge and support for better health.
This website helps people understand eczema, especially in those with darker skin. It explains how eczema can look different and why it’s often misdiagnosed. You’ll find helpful tips for managing eczema, treatment options, and resources for both patients and doctors.
Get the information you need to recognize and treat eczema effectively.
Self-Help
Here are some resources to take care of your health and manage your condition(s) better.
Did you know that special breathing exercises can help people with asthma feel better? Just like exercising your legs makes them stronger, these exercises make your breathing muscles stronger too! The page shows different ways to practice breathing that can help you breathe easier, feel more relaxed, and have better control over your breath.
These exercises won’t cure asthma, but they can help you manage it better, especially when you’re feeling stressed. Think of it like learning a new skill – the more you practice these breathing exercises, the better you’ll get at them!
On this page, you’ll discover evidence-based information about alternative and natural treatments that can complement your asthma management plan. You’ll learn which complementary therapies—like breathing exercises, acupuncture, yoga, and lifestyle changes—have scientific evidence supporting their use, and which ones lack proof of effectiveness.
This guide will help you make informed decisions about natural approaches while understanding that these should supplement, not replace, your prescribed medical treatments. You’ll also find practical answers to common questions about exercises for asthma control and how to manage stress-related asthma symptoms.
Asthma & Allergy Network has created various virtual fitness programs over the years. Here’s our archive of some of our best videos that you can follow along.
