Allergies and asthma: They often occur together

How does an allergic reaction cause asthma symptoms?

An allergic response affects the lining of the nose and the lining of the airways in a similar way. Symptoms occur when antibodies in your blood are exposed to an allergy-causing substance (allergen). These antibodies can trigger allergy symptoms such as nasal congestion, scratchy eyes or a skin reaction — and for many, inflammation of the airways associated with asthma.
For example, if your immune system produces allergy antibodies when you're exposed to cats, you're said to have a cat allergy. Proteins in cat fur or cat dander trigger the release of chemicals that cause inflammation and swelling in the lining of the nose. If you have allergic asthma, your reaction to cat fur or dander can also cause the lower airways to become inflamed, triggering asthma symptoms.

If I treat my allergies, will it prevent asthma?

Some allergy treatments can reduce asthma symptoms. A type of allergy treatment called allergy shots (immunotherapy) can help treat asthma by gradually reducing your immune system response to allergens that cause your asthma symptoms.
If you have allergic asthma, avoiding the allergic substances that trigger your symptoms can reduce asthma and in some cases, control it completely.

Are allergies and asthma treated differently?

Some medications work for both allergies and asthma, but may be taken differently. For example, corticosteroids which you spray into your nose reduce inflammation from hay fever. Corticosteroid creams applied to your skin reduce inflammation by an allergic skin reaction. And inhaled corticosteroids, which you breathe into your lungs using an inhaler device, reduce inflammation of the bronchial tubes caused by asthma.
Taken in pill form, montelukast (Singulair) is used to help with symptoms caused by both allergies and asthma. Called a leukotriene modifier, this medication helps regulate the immune system chemicals released during an allergic reaction.
Certain other medications are clearly more effective for one condition over another. Antihistamines, for example, are commonly used to treat hay fever but don't work well in treating asthma. Bronchodilator inhalers, which open congested airways, are a big part of asthma treatment, though they aren't used to treat hay fever.

What is an allergy ?

An allergy is a result of your immune system reactions to things that does not trouble most other people. People who have allergies habitually are very sensitive to more than one thing. Substances that cause allergic reactions, such as certain

· Foods - most allergy specialists agree that the foods that people are most commonly allergic to are milk and other dairy products, eggs, wheat, soy, peanuts and tree nuts, and seafood.

· Dust mites - environmental particles can cause allergies in people are dust mites, tiny bugs that live in house dust; mold spores; animal dander (flakes of scaly, dried skin, and dried saliva from your pets).

· Plant pollen - pollen from grass, ragweed, and trees

· Medicines - antibiotics — medications used to treat infections — are the most common types of medicines that cause allergic reactions.

· Chemicals - some cosmetics or laundry detergents can cause people to break out in an itchy rash. As a rule, this is because the person has a reaction to the chemicals in these products. Dyes, household cleaners, and pesticides used on lawns or plants can also cause allergic reactions in some people.

How do you get allergies?

Scientists think both genes and the environment have something to do with it. In general, your immune system fights germs. It is your body's defense system. In most allergic reactions, though, it is responding to a false alarm. A person habitually doesn't inherit a particular allergy, just the likelihood of having allergies.

Allergies can cause:

· a runny nose

· sneezing

· itching

· rashes

· swelling

· Asthma

Symptoms vary. Though allergies can make you feel bad, they usually won't kill you. However, a severe reaction called anaphylaxis is life-threatening.

How do you treat allergies?

The allergist will also perform tests to confirm an allergy — these will depend on the type of allergy a person has and may include a skin test or blood test.

The way to avoid allergic reactions is called avoidance. It is better to stay away from the substances that cause allergic reactions.

For example, people who are allergic to peanuts should avoid not only peanuts, but also any food that might contain even tiny traces of them.

Here are some things that can help you avoid airborne allergens:

• Keep family pets out of certain rooms, like your bedroom, and bathe them if necessary.
• Remove carpets or rugs from your room.
• Don't hang heavy drapes, and get rid of other items that allow dust to accumulate.
• Clean frequently.
• Use special covers to seal pillows and mattresses if you're allergic to dust mites.
• If you're allergic to pollen, keep windows closed when pollen season's at its peak, change your clothing after being outdoors — and don't mow lawns.
• Avoid damp areas, such as basements, if you're allergic to mold, and keep bathrooms and other mold-prone areas clean and dry.

Doctors can also treat some allergies using medications.

Medications such as pills or nasal sprays are often used to treat allergies. The medications can control the allergy symptoms such as sneezing, headaches or a stuffy nose. They are not a cure and can't make the tendency to have allergic reactions go away. Many effective medications are available to treat common allergies, and your doctor can help you to identify those that work for you.