Asthma and allergies are two distinctly different conditions. But you may find they are often discussed together. It is important to know that people with asthma don’t always have allergies. And people with allergies don’t always have asthma. But there is a good reason for this marriage of terms.
For those seeking to understand more about respiratory health, it’s essential to learn “what is asthma.” Asthma is a respiratory disease characterized by inflammation and bronchospasm (also known as tightening of the airways). When the lining of the airways becomes swollen and clogged with mucus and fluid, it can lead to airway inflammation. When the muscles around the airways tighten and contract, attempting to keep the airways open, this is bronchospasm. This leaves patients with cough, wheezing, chest tightness and shortness of breath. When breathing issues become severe, this is referred to as an asthma attack, flare or exacerbation.
People with allergic diseases have an overactive immune system. Their immune systems react to normally harmless substances. This is known as an allergic reaction. It can involve many different symptoms. Common allergens include:
- pollen
- mold
- house dust mites
- animal dander
- foods.
An allergic response may vary by person and by allergen. In some cases, the immune response causes the airways to swell and overproduce mucus. When the immune system’s response to an allergen leads to asthma symptoms, it is called allergy-induced asthma. This type of asthma is also known as allergic asthma.
What are allergic asthma symptoms?
People with allergic asthma experience the same symptoms of asthma as people with non-allergic asthma. These may include:
- Coughing
- Wheezing
- Chest tightness
- Shortness of breath
People with allergic asthma may also experience common allergy symptoms:
- Runny nose, usually with clear or pale-colored mucus
- Red, watery eyes
- Itching around the nose, mouth, or eyes
What are common allergens that can trigger allergic asthma?
What triggers allergic asthma may vary from person to person. Some common culprits that trigger allergic asthma include:
- Pollen from grass, trees and weeds
- Pet dander
- Dust mites
- Mold
People with allergies often find that their body reacts differently to different substances. Some allergens may cause a rash or eye symptoms; others may cause asthma symptoms. That is why it is important to know your triggers and how your body responds.
Allergic asthma vs. non-allergic asthma
You may be asking, “What is the difference between allergic asthma and non-allergic asthma?” After all, the symptoms are similar. It turns out the main difference is the cause of symptoms.
For people with allergic asthma, an outdoor or indoor allergen may trigger symptoms. For a person with non-allergic asthma, there may be other triggers. These triggers include smoke, pollutants, exercise, viruses, and many other things. Interestingly, a person with allergic asthma may experience intensified symptoms from these triggers.
People with allergic asthma will require treatment for their asthma symptoms, similar to non-allergic asthma, but they may also require treatment for their allergies.
It is believed that allergic asthma is caused by a combination of genetic and environmental factors. Genetics often play an important role in the development of asthma. Having a family member with asthma or allergies increases the risk of asthma. So understanding your family medical history is important.
What are some other key differences between people with allergic asthma compared to people with non-allergic asthma? Researchers have learned that people with allergic asthma are usually younger and more likely to have positive skin allergen testing than people with non-allergic asthma. People with non-allergic asthma are more likely to be female and develop more severe disease than those with allergic asthma.