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Allergic Asthma Resources

Practice Parameters and Guidelines  

Is your patient a candidate for specific IgE testing? 

Find out 

Get detailed information on whole allergens and allergen components. 

Allergen Encyclopedia 

Ready to test a patient?

Lab Ordering Guide 

Access videos and webinars delivered by key experts in the field of allergy.

On-Demand Education 

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Allergic Asthma Causes, Symptoms, and Testing

Overview
What is Allergic Asthma?
Why it Matters?
How & Where to Get Started
Healthcare Providers

Allergic Asthma & You

You have the power to take control. 

Up to 90 percent of children and 60 percent of adults with asthma also experience allergies.1,2 Identifying your triggers and reducing exposure could help you reduce the need for medication and improve your asthma.

Together with a detailed medical history and a physical examination, an allergy blood test will help a healthcare provider develop a customized treatment plan for allergic symptoms. 

Here are your options. 

Learn more about testing
Get tested
Young girl that may be experiencing asthma alongside allergy icons of lungs, diffrent pollens, and allergy testing | Allergic asthma

What is Allergic Asthma?

Allergic asthma, or allergy-induced asthma, is a type of asthma that is triggered or made worse by allergies. Exposure to allergens — like pollen, pet dander, mold — or irritants may increase symptoms and bring on an asthma attack in people with allergic asthma.3 

Animal Dander
Dust Mites
Insects
Pollen
Mold

Allergic Asthma Symptoms:4

wheezing, coughing, shortness of breath, chest tightness


Symptoms may also occur in connection with exercise, cold air, dry air, and airway infections. Other irritants, such as strong scents or tobacco smoke, may also trigger an exacerbation.

Allergic Rhinitis & Allergy-Induced Asthma

Both allergic rhinitis and non-allergic rhinitis are risk factors for the development of asthma.5 More than 80 percent of people with asthma also have rhinitis, suggesting the concept of “one airway, one disease.”4

If you have asthma, not treating your allergy-induced rhinitis can lead to worsening of symptoms and increases the risk of an asthma exacerbation. The presence of allergic rhinitis often increases the risk of asthma attacks, emergency visits, and hospitalizations for asthma.6,7

Asthma  vs. Allergies

Asthma symptoms are caused by swelling inside your airways, muscle tightening and the clogging of the airways with mucus.8 These changes make it harder for air to move in and out of your lungs, and they lead to shortness of breath, coughing and wheezing (a whistling sound when you breathe). You may also feel tightness in your chest.8 Allergy symptoms can be very similar, making it tough to know if you’re experiencing an asthma flare-up or allergies. However, gastrointestinal symptoms like stomach cramps or diarrhea are typically signs of an allergic reaction, not asthma. Allergy symptoms can also include a rash, or a severe reaction such as anaphylaxis.9 

Certain triggers may shed light on whether you’re experiencing asthma or allergy symptoms — asthma can be aggravated by strong scents or smoke.4 It’s important to talk to your healthcare provider about testing options to determine what’s causing your symptoms. 

Doctor treating a baby for asthma | Allergic asthma

Frequently Asked Questions About Allergies and Asthma

Anyone, regardless of age, gender, race, or socioeconomic status can be affected by asthma.

Asthma from allergies feels similar to any other asthma attack — tightness in your chest, shortness of breath, coughing and wheezing. But you may also experience typical allergy symptoms at the same time, such as a runny nose, itchy eyes and sneezing.8 If your symptoms flare up when you’re around pollen or pets, it’s possible it’s an allergen causing your asthma symptoms.10

Unfortunately, it is not possible to outgrow asthma or for it to go away. Asthma is a chronic disease that permanently changes your lungs’ airways.11 It is possible for symptoms and attacks to lessen or get better over time. However, there may always be a risk for those symptoms to return.

There is no cure for asthma, so your best defense is to learn if you have underlying triggers and then limit your exposure to them. Start the conversation by going over a list of your symptoms. Knowing the types of symptoms experienced and when they occur can help a healthcare provider determine if you may be a candidate for allergy testing. 

Yes. Reducing exposure to one or more allergic triggers may help reduce symptoms. This can only be accomplished by working with a healthcare professional to understand your unique allergy profile. Start the conversation by filling out our symptom tracker.

Asthma is extremely common in the U.S. and around the world. Globally, it’s impacts about 339 million people.12 Allergic asthma is the most common type of asthma — up to 90% of children and 60% of adults with asthma are sensitized to allergens.12 This is why it’s crucial to understand any allergic triggers you may be sensitized to. If you know which substances may cause an asthma flare-up, you’ll be better prepared to avoid them or minimize your exposure.

Why a diagnosis matters for allergies and asthma

Certain triggers may shed light on whether you’re experiencing asthma or allergy symptoms — asthma can be aggravated by strong scents or smoke.4 It’s important to talk to your healthcare provider about testing options to determine what’s causing your symptoms. The sooner  you know what’s causing your symptoms, the sooner you can take action to feel better and improve your quality of life. This is especially important for children. Persistent wheezing and allergen sensitization in preschoolers makes them more likely to develop asthma later on.12 Studies have also shown that allergen immunotherapy may prevent kids from developing asthma.12 But these measures, whether for children or adults, can only follow a diagnosis by a healthcare provider so that it’s understood which particular triggers are driving your symptoms. Specific IgE blood testing is an important tool to help determine which allergens you should avoid or reduce your exposure to, and that can result in better symptom management of allergies and asthma. 

Asthma allergic triggers vs. non-allergic triggers

Identify Your Allergic Asthma Triggers

Understanding your own unique triggers and how to avoid exposure to them is an important part of managing allergic asthma. Not everyone’s triggers are the same — that's why it's important to talk to your healthcare provider about your allergic asthma symptoms. 

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Up to 90 percent of allergic patients are sensitized to more than one allergen.13

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How to Manage Allergic Asthma

With allergic asthma, medical history is often not enough to make an accurate allergy diagnosis.  A blood test, also called a specific IgE test, is a powerful aid in the diagnosis of allergy that measures the concentration of specific IgE antibodies in the blood. It can test for hundreds of allergic triggers, such as pollen, mold, food, and animal dander.  This is why it's important to speak to a healthcare provider and see if a blood test is right for you. The results of an allergy blood test, together with a detailed medical history and a physical examination, will help a healthcare provider develop a customized treatment plan for allergic symptoms.

Medication and Treatment for Allergic Asthma

There are many different treatment options for allergic asthma, and finding the right one depends on your particular triggers and personal health history. This is why it’s vital to talk to your healthcare provider about a diagnosis and which medications may be most effective for controlling your symptoms. 

There are oral and nasal sprays for allergies — antihistamines that block your body’s response to an allergen. There are also steroids delivered via inhalers, which reduce the swelling of the airways to mitigate asthma symptoms.14 Quick-relief inhalers, called short-acting beta agonists, can also relax airway muscles and stop an asthma attack as it’s happening.14

For allergic asthma patients struggling with avoiding their triggers, allergy shots may be an option. These injected medications are a type of immunotherapy to treat your specific allergic triggers. Some also come in pill form that are taken daily, as opposed to shots every few weeks or months.14 Allergic asthma, or allergy-induced asthma, is a type of asthma that is triggered or made worse by allergies. Exposure to allergens — like pollen, pet dander, mold — or irritants may increase symptoms and bring on an asthma attack in people with allergic asthma.3 

Did you know that any healthcare provider that orders laboratory tests can order a specific IgE blood test?

Discover more benefits of blood testing

Allergic Asthma: How to Get Tested

Take charge of your allergic asthma and consult with your healthcare provider today. By understanding if you have allergic sensitization, allergy blood testing may be able to help indicate your triggers and help your healthcare provider optimize your allergy management plan.

Don't Wait - Get Started Now

Any healthcare provider that orders laboratory testing can order a specific IgE blood test; it does not require seeing a specialist. Or you can request one directly from a lab. You have choices when it comes to how to get tested.

Purchase a lab test
Speak with a provider

Allergy Insider: Your Partner in Allergic Asthma Patient Management

You have the power to improve the lives of patients with asthma — and we can help. Along with patient history and physical exam, specific IgE blood testing can help aid in the clinical diagnosis of allergic disease, such as allergic asthma.9 Testing for allergies should be no different than testing for any other chronic condition, such as diabetes or elevated cholesterol. 

Reducing exposure to one or more allergic triggers can help reduce symptoms and the need for medication.16

Learn More
Practice parameters and guidelines

Tools for Understanding Allergies

 

Track allergy symptoms and prepare for a visit with a healthcare provider.

Track your symptoms

Learn about specific allergens, including common symptoms, management, and relief. 

Allergen Fact Sheets

Are you a healthcare provider? Get comprehensive information on hundreds of whole allergens and allergen components.

Allergen Encyclopedia

Related Content

Want to learn more about allergies? Explore a range of topics.

  1. Allen-Ramney F, Schoenwetter W, Weiss T, et al. Sensitization to Common Allergens in Adults with Asthma. JABFP. 2005;(18)5 434-439. 
  2. Host A, Halken S. Practical aspects of allergy-testing. Paediatr Respir Rev. 2003; (4) 312-318.
  3. Murray CS, Foden P, Sumner H, et al. Preventing Severe Asthma Exacerbations in Children. A Randomized Trial of Mite-Impermeable Bedcovers. Am J Respir Crit Care Med. 2017;196(2):150-158.
  4. Pawankar R, Holgate S, Canonica G, at el. World Allergy Organization. White Book on Allergy (WAO). 2011. http://www.worldallergy.org/UserFiles/file/WAO-White-Book-on-Allergy_web.pdf. Accessed December 2017. 
  5. Scadding GK, Durham SR, Mirakian R, et al. BSACI guidelines for the management of allergic and non-allergic rhinitis. Clin Exp Allergy. 2008;38:19-42. 
  6. Crystal-Peters J, Neslusan C, Crown WH, et al. Treating allergic rhinitis in patients with comorbid asthma: the risk of asthma-related hospitalizations and emergency department visits. J Allergy Clin Immunol. 2002;109(1):57-62.
  7. Valovirta E. Managing Co-Morbid Asthma With Allergic Rhinitis: Targeting the One-Airway With Leukotriene Receptor Antagonists. World Allergy Organ J. 2012;5:S210-S211. 
  8. Asthma Signs and Symptoms [Internet]. Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America; 2021 July [updated 2022 Jan; cited 2025 Feb 3]. Available from: https://aafa.org/asthma/asthma-symptoms/.
  9. Allergy Symptoms [Internet]. Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America; 2015 Nov [cited on 2025 Feb 3]. Available from: https://aafa.org/allergies/allergy-symptoms/.
  10. Baxin, S.N., and Wanda Phipatanakul, MD, MS. The Role of Allergen Exposure and Avoidance in Asthma. Adolesc Med State Art Rev. 2010 Apr; 21(1): 57–ix., pg. 9.
  11. Asthma [Internet]. Cleveland Clinic; 2022 Jan 19 [cited 2025 Feb 4]. Available from: https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/6424-asthma.
  12. Demoly P, Liu AH, Rodriguez Del Rio P, Pedersen S, Casale TB, Price D. A Pragmatic Primary Proactive Approach to Using Specific IgE in Allergy Testing in Asthma Diagnosis, Management, and Referral. J Asthma Allergy. 2022 Aug 16;15:1069-1080. doi: 10.2147/JAA.S362588. PMID:35996427; PMCID:PMC9392458
  13. Giorgio Ciprandi, Cristoforo Incorvaia & Franco Frati. The Italian Study Group on Polysensitization (2015) Management of polysensitized patient: from molecular diagnostics to biomolecular immunotherapy, Expert Review of Clinical Immunology, 11:9, 973-976, DOI: 10.1586/1744666X.2015.1062365.
  14. Asthma medications: Know your options [Internet]. Mayo Clinic; 2024 July 2 [cited 2025 Feb 3]. Available from: https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/asthma/in-depth/asthma-medications/art-20045557.
  15. Phadia™ ImmunoCAP™ Specific IgE Conjugate 400 Directions for Use for the Phadia 250 Laboratory System. Published 2018-06-05. 
  16. NIH Guidelines for the Diagnosis and Management of Asthma, 2007.
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