Are your allergies making your asthma worse? Could they be the cause?
If you’ve ever found yourself sneezing in the spring and wheezing by summer, you’re not alone. Allergies and asthma often go hand in hand, and understanding how they’re connected can make a big difference in how you manage both.
At Prima Medicine, the experienced medical team offers effective allergy treatments to help you stay in control of your health. Led by Chethana Rao, MD – named a “Top Doc” by Washingtonian magazine – we prioritize personalized primary care and convenient access to support your long-term wellness.
How Are Allergies and Asthma Linked?
Allergies and asthma both involve your immune system overreacting to specific triggers. However, allergies typically affect your nose, eyes, and skin. Meanwhile, asthma affects your lungs, causing inflammation and narrowing of the airways.
This connection is referred to as allergic asthma, and it’s one of the most common types. When your body reacts to an allergen, it can tighten your airways and make breathing harder.
Well-known triggers include:
- Tree, grass, or weed pollen
- Mold spores
- Pet dander
- Dust mites
- Cockroach droppings
Signs You Might Have Both Allergies and Asthma
If you notice that your allergy symptoms are often followed by coughing, wheezing, or shortness of breath, there’s a good chance they’re related. You may also:
- Feel chest tightness after exposure to allergens.
- Have increased asthma attacks during allergy season.
- Rely more on inhalers when your allergies flare up.
Managing Allergies to Improve Asthma
Treating your allergies can reduce the effects of asthma and lower your risk of flare-ups. At Prima Medicine, your provider may recommend:
- Allergy testing to pinpoint specific triggers.
- Avoidance strategies and home environment changes.
- Prescription medications or allergy shots (immunotherapy).
Take Control of Your Breathing
Knowing the connection between allergies and asthma makes it easier for you to take proactive steps to feel better year-round. If you’re struggling with allergy-related asthma symptoms, the team at Prima Medicine is here to help you breathe more freely and live more comfortably.
Call us today at (703) 870-3750 or book an appointment online. We have four locations throughout the metropolitan Washington, DC, area: Fairfax, South Riding, Merrifield, and Vienna.
