Asthma & Allergies: Understanding the Connection - Symptoms, Causes & More

Allergies and asthma have different causes, but are often related. Asthma, an inflammation of airways, is a frequent symptom of allergies. Seventy-five percent of children with asthma also have allergies.

Causes of Allergies

• Allergies are caused by an immune system that treats a harmless substance, such as pollen, as an invader.

Causes of Asthma

• Asthma has many causes, including irritation of the airways due to allergies. Other causes include cigarette smoke, anxiety, cold air, pollution and acid reflux.

The Relationship

• Allergic reactions produce histamine, which can cause inflammation of the airways. Allergy-induced asthma is a very common reaction.

Treating Allergies

• If your asthma is caused by an allergic reaction, treating the allergy---for example, with antihistamines or allergy shots---and avoiding the allergen will help reduce asthma symptoms.

Asthma Treatments

• Other treatments address asthma symptoms directly. Bronchodilator inhalers, for example, help open congested airways, but do not affect histamine levels.