About Allergies
An allergy is the result of the immune system overreacting to a foreign substance in the body. People without allergies may be exposed to pollen, dust, certain foods or animal dander with no ill effects. In people with allergies, the body sees these things as a dangerous intruder and activates a sequence of immune responses to deal with the intruder. One response is the release of histamine, a chemical that causes the classic allergy symptoms like sneezing, itching and watery eyes. Histamine also causes inflammation. Under normal circumstances inflammation is beneficial because the inflamed tissues actually trap harmful substances, keeping them from drifting throughout the body. Unfortunately, in abnormal circumstances, inflammation can also cause respiratory problems like asthma and, in severe cases, anaphylaxis--where the airways close completely. The most common treatment for allergies is antihistamines and histamine blockers, that either prevent an attack or treat an attack in progress. Severe cases, involving anaphylaxis, usually require immediate medical attention and an epinephrine shot.
About Asthma
Asthma is a chronic condition that affects the lungs. Some people develop asthma in childhood while others may develop asthma later in life as the result of environmental irritants or physical changes, like puberty. According to the CDC, people with a family history of asthma are more likely to develop asthma themselves. Asthma is always present but goes unnoticed until something triggers an asthma attack. During an asthma attack the airways in the lungs swell and mucus production increases--making it difficult to breathe. During an attack, an asthmatic may experience wheezing, difficulty inhaling, coughing and chest tightness. Like allergies, asthma is treated with medications that both prevent and treat attacks in progress. Asthma has the potential to be severe and, in some cases, may require immediate medical attention.
Allergies and Asthma
Allergies and asthma often occur together and, according to Kids Health, 75 percent of children with asthma also have an allergy to something. Additionally, many people with asthma find that their symptoms get worse when they are exposed to common allergens--whether they know they are allergic or not. Allergies trigger asthma attacks because of the inflammatory nature of histamine. The mucous membranes of the sinuses, eyes and throat--common sites for allergy attacks--are similar to the mucous membranes lining the lungs and bronchi. When histamine causes inflammation in one area, it is likely to cause a similar reaction in a similar area--especially if that area is already sensitive to inflammation. In some cases, allergy medicines may relieve some asthma symptoms, but the best way to treat allergy-induced asthma is to remove the allergen and treat the allergy and asthma separately.
