You may wonder what allergies and asthma have in common besides making you miserable.

A lot, as it turns out.

Allergies and asthma often occur together.

In some people, skin or food allergies can cause asthma symptoms.

This is called allergic asthma or allergy-induced asthma.

In an attempt to protect your body from the substance, antibodies bind to the allergen.

For some people, this same reaction also affects the lungs and airways, leading to asthma symptoms.

Most treatments are designed to treat either asthma or allergic rhinitis.

But a few treatments help with both conditions.

Some examples:

Leukotriene modifier.This jot down of medication can ease both allergic rhinitis and asthma symptoms.

Called a leukotriene modifier, this daily pill helps control immune system chemicals released during an allergic reaction.

Montelukast (Singulair) is the leukotriene modifier that can treat both asthma and allergic rhinitis.

Immunotherapy involves getting regular injections of a tiny amount of the allergens that trigger your symptoms.

Your immune system builds up a tolerance to the allergens over time, and your allergic reactions diminish.

In turn, asthma symptoms decrease as well.

This treatment generally requires regular injections over a period of time.

This treatment is used for more severe allergic asthma, but it might also help allergic rhinitis.

You may need other medications to treat allergies or asthma, especially if your symptoms become severe at times.

However, recognizing and avoiding the substances that trigger your symptoms is an important step you could take.

A family history of allergies is a major risk factor for allergic asthma.

Having hay fever or other allergies yourself also increases your risk of getting asthma.

Though allergic asthma is very common, there are other types of asthma with different kinds of triggers.

Many people have more than one kind of asthma trigger.

Know the things that trigger your allergy and asthma symptoms and learn how to limit your exposure to them.

Because allergy and asthma symptoms can change over time, you may need to adjust your treatment accordingly.

Learn the signs that your asthma may be flaring upand know what to do when it does.

Updated: 5/14/2021

Publication Date: 9/20/2004