Allergies And Asthma – Are They Interlinked?

Allergy and asthma are characterized by the reaction between an oversensitive immune system and certain external influences called as allergens. The common types of allergies are allergic rhinitis and urticaria that are described as inflammation of upper respiratory tract (nose) and skin, respectively. While asthma is a respiratory condition, in which the lower respiratory tract (bronchus) is inflamed and constricted.

The symptoms of allergies and asthma are quite different. In allergic rhinitis, one may suffer frequent sneezing, nasal congestion and obstruction, watery discharge from nose, mild cough and fever, and red/itchy eyes. In urticaria, one may experience skin rashes with redness, burning and itching. On the other hand, the clinical features of asthma are dry spasmodic cough, severe breathlessness, choking sensation, chest tightness and wheezing.

How they are interlinked?

You may wonder when the symptomatology of these health issues are different, then how they are interlinked. The answer to this query is “allergen”. An allergen that can trigger your allergy may also give rise to an asthmatic attack; this is known as allergy-induced asthma or allergic asthma. In both cases, the common factors are allergen and exaggerated immune system. Certain allergens, such as dust, dust mites, pollen grains, molds, pet dander, airborne viruses, environmental pollutants and smoke play common triggering factors. In few people, certain foods and medications trigger an allergy or asthma attack.

An allergic reaction can cause asthma –

An allergic reaction takes place when a person’s oversensitive immune system comes in contact with a foreign substance, which usually doesn’t cause any harm in a healthy person with strong immunity. The immune system’s protein content binds with an allergen to produce allergic symptoms. But in many people, this same reaction is carry forwarded from upper respiratory tract to lower, affecting important airways and lungs, leading to asthma. Therefore, one can conclude that a person who suffers from frequent allergies is vulnerable to asthma.

People who have strong familial history of frequent allergies and asthma are at higher risk of developing allergic asthma. Individuals having frequent allergies are also at risk of getting an asthma attack. Though allergy-induced asthma is pretty common, there are other types of bronchial asthma that are triggered by viral infections, sudden climatic changes, exercise and acid reflux disease.

Are they treated in different manner?

Conventional treatments are planned to manage either allergies or asthma. But few treatments with synthetic medications are taken into consideration, such as –

 • Antihistamines – Allergies are often treated with the help of antihistamine drugs, such as Cetirizine, Loratadine, Fexofenadine, etc. However, they are not preferred for treating asthma attacks.

 • Leukotriene antagonist – Montelukast is a therapeutic drug that is pharmacologically termed as Leukotriene antagonist. It is used in controlling an allergic reaction and asthma by inhibiting Leukotriene, a type of cell responsible for an attack of allergic asthma.

 • Immunotherapy – Injectable allergy shots are given to the patient, so that his/her immune system is protected from certain allergens to lower the risk of allergic asthma.

Typically, you need any of these treatments when your symptoms get severe and trouble you a lot. Nevertheless, you can prevent allergies and asthma attack simply by identifying and avoiding the allergen. Meanwhile, you can strengthen you immune system by eating healthy, performing regular exercise, having herbal supplements with antioxidants, etc.