Asthma and allergic rhinitis, or hay fever, can affect someone separately or simultaneously. Allergic rhinitis can trigger an asthma attack. Chronic asthma attacks accompanied by other allergy symptoms, including nasal congestion and eye irritation, might be a sign that the asthma is being affected by seasonal allergies, according to MayoClinic.com. Treating moderate asthma and allergic rhinitis begins with avoiding allergens and is managed with medications. Talk with a doctor before using any medication.
Definition
Asthma is a lung disorder in which the lining of the airways become inflamed, according to MedlinePlus. Allergic rhinitis is an allergic condition that is caused by airborne allergens, such as dust and pollen. Allergic rhinitis leads to symptoms such as sneezing, an itchy throat or watery eyes.
Relationship
The same allergic reaction that cause the lining of the sinus cavity to become inflamed can also cause the lining in the airways to swell, causing asthma, according to MayoClinic.com. Not all asthma is induced by allergens and should be diagnosed by a medical professional. It is common for allergic rhinitis to trigger an asthma attack.
Over-the-Counter Medications
Over-the-counter medications are commonly used to treat allergic rhinitis but not asthma, according to MayoClinic.com. Over-the-counter medications for allergic rhinitis include decongestants, antihistamines and pain relievers. Decongestants reduce swelling in the sinus cavity, antihistamines relieve allergy symptoms and pain relievers alleviate sinus pain from pressure, according to the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology.
Prescribed Medical Treatments
Some prescribed medical treatments can treat moderate asthma and allergic rhinitis, according to MayoClinic.com. Immunotherapy can help reduce symptoms of both asthma and allergic rhinitis. Immunotherapy, or allergy shots, is used to desensitize the immune system to an allergen that is triggering allergy symptoms and asthmatic reactions. Corticosteroids in an oral pill form can treat allergy symptoms and asthma at the same time. Some corticosteroids are administered in a nasal spray to treat allergic rhinitis and in an inhaler form to treat asthma.
Considerations
The American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology recommends talking with an allergist to determine the connection between moderate asthma and allergic rhinitis. Seeing an allergist will provide someone with an accurate diagnosis and treatment options. Allergy tests can determine the exact allergen triggers that are causing moderate asthma and allergic rhinitis symptoms. Once identified, avoid these allergen triggers as a first step in treatment.
