Did you know that allergies play a big role in asthma?
Research shows that allergies are associated with the cause and persistence of many asthma symptoms.
Most people suffering from asthma have allergic asthma, and patients with asthma or allergic rhinitis should be regularly assessed because approximately 80% of people with asthma have evidence of allergic sensitisation, and 20-30% of patients with allergic rhinitis have asthma.
It’s the hidden connection that could be game changing for both allergy and asthma sufferers.
“We’re seeing longer more intense pollen seasons, partly thanks to climate change, and that’s driving up allergies.” says Dr. Scott Claxton - Opens in new tab, sleep and respiratory physician.
“Nearly one in four Australians has hay fever now, up from about one in six 20 years ago.”
Asthma and hay fever often occur together because the nose and lungs are part of the same airway system, which is why healthcare professionals sometimes refer to the ‘one airway’ concept.
People with hay fever are also more likely to have asthma, and poorly controlled hay fever can make asthma symptoms worse.
Allergies can contribute to airway inflammation, affecting both the nose (causing hay fever symptoms) and the lungs (triggering asthma symptoms) and common allergens such as pollen, dust mites, mould and pet dander can trigger both hay fever and asthma symptoms.
Managing hay fever effectively may help improve asthma control and reduce the risk of flare-ups.
Treating both the nose and lungs together can lead to better symptom control, improved quality of life, and fewer interruptions to daily activities.
“We often say ‘treat the nose, help the lungs’ because the nose and lungs are connected. Around four in five people with asthma also have allergies like hay fever, so we usually need to manage both sets of symptoms together,” Dr Claxon added.
“For many people, hay fever isn’t just about sneezing – a blocked nose at night can really disrupt sleep. Being up all night sniffling or wheezing leaves you exhausted the next day, which is a sign your allergies or asthma aren’t under control.”
The two most common ways allergies play a role in asthma:
- Allergic conditions (such as allergic rhinitis) can cause swelling and excess mucus production in the airways making asthma symptoms worse.
- Exposure to allergens can directly trigger severe shortness of breath, tightness in the chest, coughing or wheezing. This is also known as an asthma attack, flare-up or exacerbation.
Untreated hay fever (allergic rhinitis) can often lead to worse asthma control, causing more frequent or severe asthma flare-ups. Conversely, poorly managed asthma can heighten sensitivity to allergens so a person with a pollen allergy may notice that every spring their asthma acts up; or a person with year-round dust mite allergy might have persistent nasal congestion and occasional wheezing.
Recognising the link between the two, helps because treating the allergy often eases asthma symptoms.
Allergy testing is still the best way to find out if your asthma is related to allergy.
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References:
- Australasian Society of Clinical Immunology and Allergy (ASCIA). (2024). ASCIA HP clinical update: Allergic rhinitis. https://www.allergy.org.au/images/stories/pospapers/ar/ASCIA_HP_Clinical_Update_Allergic_Rhinitis_2024.pdf
- Australasian Society of Clinical Immunology and Allergy. (2025, July 8). Asthma and allergy. https://www.allergy.org.au/patients/asthma-and-allergy/about-asthma-and-allergy
- Australasian Society of Clinical Immunology and Allergy (ASCIA). Thunderstorm asthma. https://www.allergy.org.au/patients/asthma-and-allergy/thunderstorm-asthma
