For many people, asthma and allergies are closely linked, a pattern sometimes called allergic asthma. Breathing in an allergen you react to, such as pollen, house dust mite droppings, pet dander, or mould spores, can inflame the airways and trigger asthma symptoms including coughing, wheezing, chest tightness, and shortness of breath. This is why hay fever season or a dusty environment can make asthma harder to control.
Managing allergic asthma involves both controlling the allergy and keeping the asthma well treated. Reducing exposure to known triggers, using allergy medicines such as antihistamines and steroid nasal sprays, and most importantly taking prescribed asthma preventer inhalers regularly all help reduce flare-ups. Treating nasal allergy can itself improve asthma control.
Know the signs of a serious asthma attack: breathlessness that makes it hard to speak, a reliever inhaler not helping or being needed very often, lips or fingertips turning blue, or rapidly worsening symptoms. These need urgent medical attention; follow your asthma action plan and call your local emergency number if breathing is severe. See a doctor or asthma nurse to review your inhalers and triggers if allergies are setting off your asthma.