Do Allergies
Cause
Asthma?
Do allergies cause asthma? The answer to this questions is:
yes and no. People who have certain kinds of allergies are
more likely to have asthma. Which kind of allergies? Usually,
the type of allergies that affect your nose and eyes, causing
problems like a runny nose or red, itchy eyes.
Whatever causes an allergic reaction, such as
pollen or dust mites, can also trigger asthma
symptoms. Not everyone who has allergies
develops asthma. Not all cases of asthma are
related to allergies.
About 23 million people in the United States have
asthma. Of these, about 70% have an allergy to
something. Many of these people find their asthma
symptoms get worse when they’re exposed to
certain allergens (things that can cause allergic
reactions). Common allergens include dust mites,
mold, pollen and animal dander. Parents who have
allergies or asthma often pass along the tendency
to have these conditions to their kids.
If you have allergies, your immune system reacts
to these allergens as if the allergens were invading
the body. To fight the allergen, your immune
system produces an antibody called
immunoglobulin E (IgE).
When the IgE combines with the allergen, a
process is set in motion that results in the release
of certain substances in the body. One of the
substances released is histamine, which causes
allergic symptoms that can affect the eyes, nose,
throat, skin, gastrointestinal tract or lungs. When
the airways in the lungs are affected, symptoms of
asthma (such as coughing, wheezing or difficulty
breathing) can occur.
The body remembers this reaction, so each time
the allergen comes into contact with the body, the
same thing can happen because of that, allergies
can make it difficult for some people to keep their
asthma under control.