What does asthma have to do with your allergies? Probably a lot.
Some of what you think are allergy symptoms could be signs of asthma.
- Find an Allergist
- Symptom Test
- Ask the Allergist
ARLINGTON HEIGHTS, IL (April 10, 2018) – People who have allergies often also have asthma. And people with asthma often have allergies. While the two may not seem related, studies show about two-thirds or more of those with asthma also have an allergy. May is Asthma and Allergy Awareness Month, a great time to look at your symptoms and figure out if you’re suffering from asthma, allergies, or both.
“What many people don’t realize is that the same things that trigger your seasonal hay fever symptoms – things like pollen, dust mites, mold and pet dander – can also cause asthma symptoms,” says allergist Bradley Chipps, MD, president of the American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology (ACAAI). “If you have allergies, and you are wheezing or coughing, see an allergist to find out if you also have asthma. Allergists are also specialists at treating asthma and can put together a treatment plan to help you deal with both allergies and asthma.”
Allergic asthma – where allergies are triggers for asthma symptoms – is the most common type of asthma. Researchers have long known that the frequency of children with allergies who also have asthma can be as high as 80 percent. Recent research has shown that about 75 percent of adults aged 20-40 with asthma, and 65 percent of those with asthma aged 55 years and older, have at least one allergy.
“Effective treatment of allergic asthma includes identifying and avoiding allergens that trigger symptoms. After diagnosing asthma, we usually move on to using drug therapies and developing an emergency action plan to deal with severe attacks,” says Dr. Chipps. “If you can cut down on the number of allergens in your life, you may also be able to reduce asthma symptoms.”
Here are some tips from ACAAI to help you avoid the allergens that trigger your asthma:
To find an allergist near you who can help create a personal plan to deal with your allergies and asthma, use the ACAAI allergist locator.