Millions of people struggle with asthma and allergies every year. Their allergies can trigger an asthma attack that causes many people a frightening inability to breathe. They might have a hard time catching their breath or experience tightness in the chest. Yet, these two common ailments sometimes occur together, which may result in a life-threatening combination. When someone has both conditions simultaneously, they are considered "at-risk" for asthma attack symptoms triggered by allergens like pollen and pet dander. Here are ways how allergies can affect asthma.
Both asthma and allergies are triggered by similar things, such as environment and exposure to common triggers, like pollen, mold, or pet dander. They also share the same risk factors, such as a family history of allergies or asthma and a history of respiratory infections. Additionally, both conditions are treated with several similar medications. Therefore, if you have one condition, there is a greater risk of developing the other. For example, allergies might have an underlying or undiagnosed asthma problem. On the other hand, someone with asthma could also experience allergic reactions to certain triggers.
People who are allergic to something and have asthma may find that their symptoms from one condition can worsen the other condition. If a person has asthma, they are more likely to react to allergens that cause a worsening asthma attack. This could have serious side effects and could lead to further complications. If a person's allergy symptoms are not properly controlled, it could lead to more frequent and more severe asthma attacks.
In both allergies and asthma, the lungs' symptoms include chest tightness or pressure, coughing or wheezing, shortness of breath, and trouble breathing. Someone could have asthma for years and be allergic to one thing, such as household dust or another environmental allergen, that triggers asthma attacks. However, the sensitivity to this trigger will not show up until later due to its low priority in the immune system. This means there are often no physical indicators during the early stages of asthma or before a person even knows they have it. Additionally, the problem may be due to several other things besides allergies.
Because asthma and allergies can have similar symptoms, they may trigger each other. As a result, if you are allergic to something, your asthma may worsen. This can cause a person to experience breathing problems that could lead to an attack. If you have asthma and are allergic to certain things, you may need to take additional precautions while exposed to those allergens. Otherwise, your asthma symptoms could get worse or last longer.
Many people who have asthma may also have a history of allergic reactions. In this case, the symptoms of an asthma attack could be reduced or avoided by taking medications that ease allergies. This can help a person with asthma experience fewer symptoms and better control their asthma. Additionally, it can help prevent more serious problems from occurring. If a person with both conditions has severe asthma symptoms and is allergic to certain triggers, they might benefit from a special medication or injection that reduces the severity of allergies. This may not be enough to control asthma completely, but it can help control the symptoms as well.
Asthma and allergies often affect people of all ages. Similar things can trigger them, and it can be difficult to tell them apart. If you have allergies, your asthma may get worse as a result. Additionally, some medications treat both asthma and allergies at the same time. However, you should avoid triggers that can cause both conditions to occur.