What Should You Know About Allergic Asthma?

Written by Debra Fulghum Bruce, PhD
Medically Reviewed by Poonam Sachdev, MD on March 31, 2026
6 min read

The same allergens that give some people sneezing fits and watery eyes can cause other people to have an asthma attack. Allergic asthma is the most common type of asthma. About 90% of kids with childhood asthma have allergies, compared with about 60% of adults with asthma.

The symptoms that go along with allergic asthma show up after you breathe in allergens (or allergy triggers) such as pollen, dust mites, or mold. If you have asthma (allergic or nonallergic), it usually gets worse after you exercise in cold air or breathe smoke, dust, or fumes. Sometimes even a strong smell can set it off.

Allergens are everywhere. If you have allergic asthma, know what triggers your body to react and learn how to prevent an attack.

Your immune system's job is to protect you from external invaders, such as bacteria and viruses. If you have allergies, part of your immune system works too hard. It may attack harmless substances such as cat dander or pollen in your nose, lungs, eyes, and under your skin.

When your body is exposed to an allergen, it makes chemicals called immunoglobulin E (IgE) antibodies. They cause the release of chemicals like histamine, which cause swelling and inflammation as your body tries to remove the allergen. This creates an allergic reaction with familiar allergy symptoms such as a runny nose, itchy eyes, and sneezing.

If you have allergic asthma, your airways are extra sensitive to certain allergens. Once they get into your body, your immune system overreacts. The muscles around your airways tighten. The airways become inflamed and flooded with thick mucus.

 

Whether you have allergic asthma or nonallergic asthma, the symptoms are generally the same. You're likely to:

  • Cough
  • Wheeze
  • Be short of breath
  • Breathe quickly
  • Feel chest tightness

With allergic asthma, in addition to the asthma symptoms, you'll also have allergy symptoms. Those include:

  • Congestion, stuffed up sinuses
  • Itchy, red eyes
  • Runny nose
  • Sneezing

Allergens, small enough to be breathed deep into the lungs, include:

  • Windblown pollen from trees, grasses, and weeds
  • Mold spores and fragments
  • Animal dander (from hair, skin, or feathers) and saliva
  • Dust mite feces
  • Cockroach feces

Keep in mind that allergens aren't the only thing that can worsen allergic asthma. Irritants may trigger an asthma attack, even if they don't cause an allergic reaction. These may include:

  • Smoke from tobacco, a fireplace, candles, incense, or fireworks
  • Air pollution
  • Cold air
  • Exercising in cold air
  • Strong chemical odors or fumes
  • Perfumes, air fresheners, or other scented products
  • Dusty rooms

Your doctor can test you to see what causes your allergic asthma. The two most common (and recommended) methods are:

  • Pricking your skin with a tiny amount of the allergen and measuring the size of the red bumps 20 minutes later
  • A blood test known as a specific IgE or sIgE test

To control your allergic asthma, avoid exposure to allergens:

Stay inside when pollen counts are high. Keep the windows closed. If it's hot, use an air conditioner with a clean air filter. Don't use an old air conditioner if it smells musty or moldy. Don't use an evaporative cooler (also called a swamp cooler).

Avoid dust mites. These microscopic critters live in fabrics and carpets. Wrap your pillows, mattress, and box spring in allergen-proof covers. Wash your sheets and other bedding once a week in hot water. Remove wall-to-wall carpeting if you can. Get rid of areas where dust can gather, such as heavy curtains, upholstered furniture, and piles of clothing. If your child has allergic asthma, buy only washable stuffed animals.

Control indoor humidity. Check the humidity inside your home using an inexpensive meter. If the moisture is above 40%, use a dehumidifier or air conditioner. This will dry out the air and slow the growth of molds. Consult a pro to repair any plumbing or roof leaks. Run exhaust fans while you cook or take a shower to lower the humidity in the room.

Check for pet allergies. If you have pets, get tested to see if they're causing your problem. Make sure to ban all your pets from the bedroom. High levels of cat allergens can stick around for months in a home or apartment, even after the cats are gone. There are no hypoallergenic cats or dogs. You can wash your pet every week, but it has little effect on the amount of allergens you inhale. Dusts or sprays that claim to reduce pet allergens are not proven effective.

Keep your kitchen and bathroom clean and dry. This helps prevent mold and keeps cockroaches away. If you're allergic to cockroaches, and you see signs of them in your home, contact a pest control company. Insect spray won't do the trick. You have to get rid of all sources of food in your home, even small crumbs in the carpet and oil stains near the stove. 

Choose air filters wisely. Large HEPA room air filters remove smoke and other small particles (such as pollen) from a room, but only when the fan is on. They don't lower humidity or reduce dust mites. Electronic air purifiers create ozone, which can cause airway inflammation.

Be careful with outdoor work. Gardening and raking can stir up pollens and mold. Wear a HEPA filter mask while outside to lower the amount of pollen and mold particles that get into your lungs.

Taking steps to control allergens can help improve your symptoms. But you may still need allergy and asthma medications to treat attacks.

Over-the-counter (OTC) options

You can buy OTC products without a prescription. Try nasal allergy medications that don't make you sleepy, saline rinses, and decongestant nasal sprays (but only for a few days). If these don't work, use nasal steroid sprays and stronger antihistamines. If none of this helps, it may be time to talk to a doctor about testing and allergy shots.

Prescription options

There are many good asthma treatments, but most require a prescription. These medications include:

  • Inhaled steroids, which fight inflammation
  • Bronchodilators, which open up your airways. Short-acting bronchodilators are also called rescue inhalers.
  • Medicines that combine steroids with long-acting bronchodilators to control asthma 
  • Injections of biologics that reduce IgE levels, such as omalizumab (Xolair)
  • Anticholinergic medications, such as tiotropium (Spiriva), to help control symptoms
  • Leukotriene modifiers, such as montelukast (Singulair), which treat both allergies and asthma

Allergic asthma is a common form of asthma triggered by allergic reactions. People with allergic asthma have both asthma and allergies. When allergens trigger an allergic reaction, the airways tighten and may fill with mucus. Allergens can be indoors, such as dust mites or pet dander, or outdoors, such as air pollution or pollen. Taking precautions inside your home and when outdoors can help control exposure to the allergens. That reduces the chance of your body having an allergic asthma attack. An allergist can perform allergy testing to check what specific triggers you have. They can provide allergy shots to reduce your sensitivity to them. Medications also help control reactions and symptoms. Some are OTC options, such as nasal sprays, while others are prescription only, such as bronchodilators.

Is allergic asthma curable?

Allergic asthma is a chronic condition. That means it can't be cured but can be managed. Taking medications as instructed and avoiding triggers helps to manage allergic asthma.

How does allergic asthma feel?

Allergic asthma has two components: allergies and asthma. The allergies may make you feel itchy and stuffy. Asthma may make you feel pressure on your chest due to trouble breathing. You may cough and wheeze.

Is allergic asthma harmful?

Asthma, whether caused by allergies or not, can be serious. People with allergic asthma may get ill more often, leading to missed work or school or even hospitalization. Asthma may interrupt sleep, exercise, or social plans.