Asthma and allergies are among the common conditions affecting people in the country. In the country, 25 million people have asthma, while 50 million people suffer from allergies. In this article, let’s take a look at how asthma and allergies are related.

How are asthma and allergies related?
One of the ways how asthma and allergies are related is that people with asthma mostly also have an allergy. An allergic reaction can trigger the symptoms of asthma. During an allergic reaction, the immune system thinks that a harmless substance is trying to cause harm to the body and makes antibodies that lock themselves on the invader or the substance. This leads to symptoms like skin reaction, runny nose, or itchy eyes, depending on the type and severity of an allergic reaction. In some people, an allergic reaction can irritate the airways and lungs, causing respiratory problems and developing the symptoms of asthma.

What is allergic asthma?
To better understand how asthma and allergies are related, you need to understand what allergic asthma means. Allergic asthma or allergy-induced asthma is when the airways tighten due to certain allergens that enter the body. Allergic asthma leads to the same as asthma, including breathlessness, coughing, and wheezing. Some common causes that contribute to allergic asthma are cockroach mold fragments, dust mite feces, pollen, and animal dander. Other irritants like dusty rooms, air pollution, scented products, and incense can exacerbate allergic asthma.

Are you at risk of allergic asthma?
Now that you understand how asthma and allergies are related, it is important to understand whether you are at risk of developing allergic asthma. If one has a family history of allergies, they are prone to developing the condition. If one has allergies or has had a history of allergies, they are at a higher risk of developing allergic asthma. Obesity can also increase the risk of allergic asthma, along with exposure to dust mites at the age of one year or earlier. If one had a respiratory illness at any point, they are likely to have allergic asthma.

What about the treatment options?
Since you know how asthma and allergies are related, let’s look at how allergic asthma is treated. Most times, the treatment focuses on treating either the allergic reaction or asthma, but some treatment methods can help treat allergic asthma:

• Immunotherapy consists of injecting a tiny amount of the allergen regularly so that the symptoms are triggered. Also called allergy shots, immunotherapy can help the immune system respond positively to a triggered allergy. It can help relieve the symptoms of asthma.
• Doctors might prescribe a leukotriene modifier that helps manage asthma and allergy. It helps control how the immune system reacts to an allergen, and the pill is required to be taken daily.
• Anti-immunoglobulin E or IgE therapy involves a doctor giving omalizumab, a medication that helps prevent the allergic reaction that leads to the symptoms of asthma.