Do Allergies Cause Asthma?

Although asthma are separate conditions, they are related. People who have allergies — particularly those that affect the nose and eyes — are more likely to have asthma. If you have allergies or asthma, your child is more likely to have it, too, because the tendency to develop these conditions is often inherited.

But not everyone who has allergies has asthma, and not all cases of asthma are related to allergies. About 75% of kids who have asthma also have an allergy to something. And many people who have asthma find their symptoms get worse when they're exposed to specific pollen or dust mites. As part of this overreaction, the body produces an antibody of the histamine, which causes allergic symptoms that can affect the eyes, nose, throat, skin, gastrointestinal tract, or lungs. When the airways in the lungs are affected, symptoms of asthma can occur.

Future exposure to the same allergens can cause the reaction to happen again. So if your child has asthma, it's wise to explore whether allergies may be triggering some of the symptoms. Talk with your doctor about how to identify possible allergy shots.

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