Asthma and allergies often occur together. In fact, allergy-induced asthma, also called allergic asthma, is the most common type of asthma.
If you have both allergies and asthma, the same substances that trigger your allergy symptoms may also lead to inflammation of your airways. This results in asthma symptoms, such as shortness of breath, wheezing, and difficulty breathing.
For many people with asthma, their asthma symptoms are triggered by an allergy to an airborne substance such as pollen, dust mites, or pet dander. In some people, food allergies can cause asthma symptoms.
How do allergies cause asthma symptoms?
The body’s allergic reaction affects the lining of the nose and the lining of the airways in a similar way. Allergy symptoms are caused by your own immune overreacting to a harmless environmental substance called an allergen. The immune system releases substances, such as histamine, that result in itching and inflammation.
How is allergic asthma treated?
If you have allergic asthma, avoiding the allergens that trigger your symptoms can reduce asthma and in some cases, control it completely.
Some medications are effective at controlling allergies and asthma, but may be taken in different ways to alleviate specific symptoms. For example, nasal corticosteroids that are sprayed into your nose reduce inflammation from hay fever; topical corticosteroid applied to your skin help control allergic skin reactions; and inhaled corticosteroids which you breathe into your lungs reduce inflammation of the bronchial tubes caused by asthma.
Leukotriene modifiers can help regulate the immune system chemicals released during an allergic reaction. Montelukast (Singulair®) is a leukotriene modifier used to help to control symptoms caused by both allergies and asthma.
Certain other medications are clearly more effective for one condition over another. Antihistamines are commonly used to treat allergies but don't work well in treating asthma. Bronchodilators, which open airways obstructed by asthma, aren't helpful in the treatment of allergies.
In select cases, allergy shots (immunotherapy) may be recommended to reduce both allergy and asthma symptoms.
Source: Vivacare
Last updated : 1/8/2019