How are asthma and allergies related? Do they have anything at all in common? Well, according to doctors and healthcare professionals, there’s a lot in common between the two. Moreover, both of them even occur together. This article lists some of the similarities between asthma and allergies.

Causes
The triggers are the same: Both asthma and allergies have similar triggers. So, pet dander, dust, or pollen that leads to asthma might also be a cause of allergies. In some people, food or skin allergies can later lead to asthma symptoms. This is known as allergy-induced asthma or allergic asthma.

An allergic reaction may develop into asthma: Usually, an allergic reaction occurs when our immune system mistakenly identifies a substance as an allergen. Thus, to protect the body from the impact of such a substance, the antibodies release a chemical. This chemical can lead to some allergy symptoms, such as rashes, itchy eyes, runny nose, or congestion. However, there are a few people whose airways and lungs are affected as a result of this allergic symptom, which in turn develops into asthma.

Some treatments are common
Now, let’s find out how asthma and allergies are related in terms of treatment. In most cases, the treatments are performed either to treat asthma or allergy. However, certain treatments can help you overcome both of the conditions. These include:
Immunotherapy: Immunotherapy is often used to treat asthma. It does so by declining the response of the immune system to certain allergens. Under this treatment method, regular injections are given over time. There’s no certainty on how long your body takes to get immune to a particular allergen, but in most cases, the timeline is three years.

Anti-immunoglobulin E (IgE): If you are allergic to something, IgE immunotherapy helps to combat these allergens. So, whenever you come across an allergen, the antibodies IgE identifies it and gets into a defense mode. Generally, this immunotherapy is advised for patients with moderate to severe asthma.

Montelukast: Montelukast is a medication drug that can relieve the symptoms of both asthma and allergy. It is taken as a daily pill that helps to control the immune reaction of the body.

Other similarities
Risk factors: Usually, when someone has a family history of allergies, they are more prone to allergies induced asthma. Hay fever, too, is a common risk factor in both these diseases.

Ways to manage symptoms: To prevent an allergy or an asthma attack, you need to be aware of the cause or the trigger of the attack. Next, you need to work out ways to limit your exposure to the trigger. Moreover, since the symptoms and triggers can change over time, you must alter the treatment accordingly. So, keep a close tab on your symptoms and always check with your doctor, if needed.