Allergy and Asthma
Allergy and asthma are both extremely common in Australia, and they are more closely connected than many people realise. More than 20% of Australians have some kind of allergy, and more than 10% have asthma — and both are becoming more prevalent. In fact, around 80% of people with asthma have an environmental allergy as well, which means allergy is often at the heart of why asthma develops and persists.
What is allergy?
Allergic reactions occur when the immune system overreacts to a substance that is harmless to most people. These substances — called allergens — are found in everyday environments and include dust mites, pets, pollen, insects, ticks, moulds, certain foods, and some medications.
Depending on the allergen and the person, an allergic reaction can affect different parts of the body:
- Nose and eyes — allergic rhinitis (hay fever) or conjunctivitis (itchy, sore, red or watery eyes)
- Skin — eczema or urticaria (hives)
- Lungs — allergic asthma
- Whole body — anaphylaxis (severe allergic reaction)
What is asthma?
Asthma is a condition that affects the bronchi, or the breathing tubes leading to your lungs, causing them to narrow and making it harder to breathe. Common symptoms include:
- Wheezing — a high-pitched sound from the chest, usually when breathing out
- A persistent, irritating cough, especially at night
- Shortness of breath or a feeling of not being able to get enough air
- Tightness or heaviness in the chest
- Coughing or wheezing during exercise
Asthma symptoms can be triggered by allergens, respiratory infections, exercise, cold air, changes in temperature, and cigarette smoke, among other environmental factors. With the right preventive medication, most people with asthma are able to live full, active lives.
How are allergy and asthma connected?
Allergy can affect asthma in two important ways. First, allergic conditions such as hay fever cause swelling and excess mucus in the airways, which can worsen asthma symptoms. Second, direct exposure to an allergen can trigger an asthma attack — sudden shortness of breath, chest tightness, coughing, or wheezing.
Some people with moderate or severe hay fever notice their symptoms seem to extend into the chest, almost as if their hay fever has “turned into” asthma. This overlap is well recognised and is one of the reasons we take a whole-picture approach to allergy care at Canberra Allergy.
Allergy testing is the best way to find out whether your asthma has an allergic component. This may involve skin prick testing or blood tests for specific allergen antibodies.
Can pollen trigger asthma?
Yes. Pollen particles can penetrate deep into the lungs and directly trigger both asthma and hay fever. This risk is heightened during thunderstorms — a phenomenon known as thunderstorm asthma, where pollen grains rupture and release microscopic particles that travel deep into the airways.
If your asthma or breathing symptoms tend to worsen in spring or summer, it is worth discussing thunderstorm asthma with one of our expert allergists or immunologists.
Treating allergy to help control asthma
If allergy is contributing to your asthma, identifying and managing your triggers can make a significant difference to your asthma control. Untreated hay fever in particular can make asthma harder to manage — so treating both conditions together is important.
Treatment options for allergic rhinitis that also benefit asthma include:
Intranasal corticosteroid sprays are the most effective long-term treatment for hay fever. Used daily, they prevent symptoms from developing and can reduce the need for asthma reliever medications in people with allergy-related asthma.
Non-sedating antihistamines help relieve hay fever symptoms and are safe to use alongside asthma medications.
Combination nasal sprays containing both an antihistamine and a corticosteroid offer the benefits of both in a single product but often have a strong taste and are more likely to cause nosebleeds.
Allergen immunotherapy is a longer-term treatment that gradually retrains the immune system to tolerate specific allergens. It has been shown to improve asthma control in some people and can be delivered as injections or as drops or tablets under the tongue.
Written management plans
If you have both asthma and hay fever, you may benefit from having written plans for each condition. These are typically provided by your doctor, nurse, or pharmacist and help you know what to do day-to-day and during a flare.
- An Asthma Action Plan covers daily management, what to do when symptoms worsen, and what to do in an emergency.
- A Treatment Plan for Allergic Rhinitis covers allergen avoidance, thunderstorm asthma, medications, and immunotherapy.
If you have asthma and are also at risk of anaphylaxis, it is important to always carry an adrenaline (epinephrine) auto-injector and an up-to-date Anaphylaxis Action Plan. Having asthma increases your risk of more severe allergic reactions and managing it should always be part of your plan.
Medications to be aware of
Some medications can worsen asthma symptoms and should be used with caution or avoided. These include aspirin, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs such as ibuprofen, and beta blockers. Some complementary and herbal products — including echinacea and royal jelly — can also trigger serious reactions in people with asthma.
Always let your doctor and pharmacist know you have asthma before starting any new medication, including natural or herbal products.
Want to know more?
If you are managing both allergy and asthma and would like expert guidance, our team at Austral Allergy can help. No GP referral is needed — you can book directly with us. Call today on 02 6180 8585 or book directly at https://canberraallergy.com.au/book-now/
https://www.allergy.org.au/images/pc/ASCIA_PC_Asthma_and_allergy_FAQ_2024.pdf