Asthma What Is Allergic Asthma? Symptoms and Treatment of Allergic Asthma By Pat Bass, MD twitter linkedin Dr. Bass is a board-certified internist, pediatrician, and a Fellow of the American Academy of Pediatrics and the American College of Physicians. Learn about our editorial process Pat Bass, MD Medically reviewed by Medically reviewed by Sanja Jelic, MD on December 08, 2020 Sanja Jelic, MD is board-certified in pulmonary disease, sleep medicine, critical care medicine, and internal medicine. She is an assistant professor and attending physician at Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons in New York, NY. Learn about our Medical Review Board Sanja Jelic, MD on December 08, 2020 Print Table of Contents View All Symptoms Causes Diagnosis Treatment Allergic asthma is a type of asthma triggered by the immune system overreacting to an allergen, a harmless substance (like pollen) that the body mistakes as a threat. This allergic response prompts the release of chemicals that constrict the airways and cause asthma symptoms. Also known as extrinsic asthma, this is the most common type of asthma, affecting about 60% of the 25 million people diagnosed. Liderina / iStock / Getty Images Allergic Asthma Symptoms Asthma causes inflammation of the bronchioles, the small tubes that carry air into the lungs. The subsequent narrowing of these passages results in the common symptoms of asthma, which include: WheezingCoughingChest tightnessShortness of breath Having allergic asthma does not mean that you continually struggle with breathing. Rather, this type of asthma flares up when you inhale a substance you're allergic to. Since allergic asthma is caused by an allergy, you'll also experience typical allergy symptoms associated with allergic rhinitis. These symptoms include nasal congestion, runny nose, post-nasal drip, throat irritation, sneezing, itchiness, and red or watery eyes. The Link Between Hay Fever and Asthma Causes Allergic asthma is not completely understood, but it is generally seen as being caused by a combination of inherited factors and environmental conditions. If you have a family member diagnosed with allergic asthma, you are more likely to develop the condition yourself. More than 100 genes have been identified as relating to allergic asthma; some are associated with the immune system and others are related to lung and airway function. Having a genetic inclination towards allergic asthma doesn't guarantee that you'll develop the condition. Instead, it's believed that genes plus exposure to irritants, pollutants, and/or allergens leads to the onset of asthma. Studies suggest that certain environmental factors seem to initiate a change in gene activity in people who have inherited a predisposition towards allergic asthma. Triggers Common allergens that affect those with allergic asthma include: PollenDustAnimal danderMold Once the allergen is in your system, it triggers your immune system. Your body then produces immunoglobulin E (IgE) antibodies, which release chemicals like histamine. This initiates a complex reaction, which consists of: Tightening of the muscles around the bronchi and bronchiolesNarrowing of the airways (bronchoconstriction)Swelling of the airwaysOverproduction of mucus The result is an asthma attack in which you struggle to get enough air into your lungs. Over time, repeated asthmatic attacks can lead to airway remodeling, which is the permanent narrowing of the bronchial tubes. What Is Severe Asthma? Diagnosis To determine whether your asthma is related to an allergy, your doctor will first conduct a physical exam and intake. You will be asked about the conditions that seem to bring on your asthma symptoms. For instance, do coughing, wheezing, and other symptoms seem to occur during pollen season or only when you dust? Your doctor will then run some specific allergy tests to identify whether you have a sensitivity to an allergen. Skin tests: Common allergens are placed on or just under the top layer of your skin to see if you have a reaction.Blood tests: Blood samples are tested to see if allergen exposure causes elevated levels of IgE. As the different types of asthma can present with the same classic symptoms, confirming that your case is indeed due to an allergic response can help clarify exactly what is prompting your breathing difficulties—and what can be done about it. Using a Spirometry Test to Diagnose Asthma Treatment While allergic asthma can sometimes disrupt your everyday life and may cause complications, most people can learn to manage exposure to allergens and treat symptoms effectively. Allergic asthma treatment primarily involves three main components: Avoiding your allergic asthma triggersPreventing asthma symptoms with maintenance medicationManaging attacks with rescue medication Trigger Avoidance By closely monitoring your asthma, you can identify allergens that trigger asthmatic symptoms. The best course you can take is to avoid these triggers whenever possible. For example, this might involve staying indoors and keeping windows closed when pollen counts are high, if you are triggered by pollen. Or, it could mean washing bedsheets in hot water and vaccuuming your home often to avoid the accumulation of and exposure to dust, if it prompts a reaction for you. Maintenance Medication Both allergy and asthma treatments that prevent symptoms are commonly used to manage allergic asthma. For allergies, your doctor may recommend antihistamines. These drugs are not considered a direct treatment for asthma. However, they can help you control allergy symptoms, which may reduce asthma flare-ups. In some instances, you may also be able to undergo immunotherapy (allergy shots) to reduce your sensitivity to allergens. Long-term controller medications, sometimes taken daily, can be used to prevent asthma symptoms. Examples include: Inhaled corticosteroids Inhaled long-acting beta-agonists (LABAs)Combination inhaled medicines Biologics Leukotriene modifiersCromolyn sodiumTheophylline Oral corticosteroids Which Asthma Medication Is Right for Your Treatment? Rescue Medication Quick-relief medicines are used to treat asthma symptoms that arise despite efforts to prevent attacks. These treatments help relieve breathing problems when they occur, allowing airways that are constricted to open up so you can breathe fully. They include: Short-acting beta-agonists (SABAs) Anticholinergics Combination quick-relief medicines may also be available. These include both an anticholinergic and a SABA with the medication delivered via inhaler or nebulizer. Quick-relief medications should not be used regularly. If you find that you need to take rescue medicine more than two times a week, you should discuss it with your doctor, as this is a sign that your asthma is not adequately managed. A Word From Verywell Allergies and asthma combine to create a challenging situation. One of the keys to managing your allergic asthma is being sure that all your doctors are aware of your medications and that you work together to form an asthma action plan that includes insight from an allergist, asthma specialist, and any other doctors you see regularly. Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Sign up for our Health Tip of the Day newsletter, and receive daily tips that will help you live your healthiest life. Sign Up You're in! Thank you, {{form.email}}, for signing up. There was an error. Please try again. What are your concerns? Other Inaccurate Hard to Understand Submit Article Sources Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy. Allergy and Asthma Foundation of America. Allergens and Allergic Asthma. Updated September 2015. Wheatley LM, Togias A. Clinical practice. Allergic rhinitis. N Engl J Med. 2015;372(5):456-63. doi:10.1056%2FNEJMcp1412282 Genetics Home Reference National Library of Medicine. Allergic Asthma. Updated August 17, 2020. Froidure A, Mouthuy J, Durham SR, Chanez P, Sibille Y, Pilette C. Asthma phenotypes and IgE responses. Eur Respir J. 2016;47(1):304-19. doi:10.1183/13993003.01824-2014 Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America. Allergy diagnosis. Updated October 2015. Yamauchi K, Ogasawara M. The role of histamine in the pathophysiology of asthma and the clinical efficacy of antihistamines in asthma therapy. Int J Mol Sci. 2019;20(7). doi:10.3390/ijms20071733 Allergy and Asthma Foundation of America. How is asthma treated?. Updated September 2015. Additional Reading American Academy of Allergy Asthma & Immunology. Is Your Asthma Allergic? National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute. Expert Panel Report 3 (EPR3): Guidelines for the Diagnosis and Management of Asthma