Struggling To Breathe? Know The Difference Between Asthma And Allergies

Ever feel the air in the room get heavy all of a sudden—your chest tightening, breathing getting shallow, or your nose running out of the blue? Whether it is a change in the weather, blooming flowers, or a dusty room, breathing trouble—these are all things that can occur without warning. But here is the twist. What is it? Is this just a harmless allergy, or might it be asthma lurking around the corner?

Breathing issues often disguise themselves, leaving you confused and uncomfortable. One minute you’re in the clear, and then suddenly you can’t stop wheezing or coughing. Though asthma and allergies sound alike in symptoms, what’s happening in your body and how it affects you couldn’t be more different, and understanding which one you have can make figuring out a treatment plan much simpler.

In this blog, we will take a closer look at those actual villains that bring the breathing struggle and guide you through reading the important signs. Because breathing should be easy, shouldn’t it? Not a struggle you face every day.

What is asthma?

Asthma is one condition that can affect your lungs. If you have severe asthma, it causes the inside of your lungs to swell and narrow, and breathing can become difficult.

Common signs of asthma:

• Shortness of breath
• Wheezing, or a whistling sound when you breathe
• Chest tightness
• Cough, particularly if at night or first thing in the morning

Asthma can develop at any age and be worsened by triggers like dust, cold air, smoke, and exercise.

What is an allergy?

An allergy occurs when your body overreacts to things like pollen, pet hair, dust, or sometimes food, too, as if they were dangerous—even though they’re not. That reaction is what leads to sneezing, a runny nose, and itchy eyes.

Common allergy symptoms:

• Sneezing
• Itchy or watery eyes
• Runny or blocked nose
• Skin rashes or hives

If allergies are left untreated, breathing issues can sometimes result as well.

What is allergic asthma?

Allergic asthma is one type of asthma that happens when your lungs react to allergens, those things you’re typically allergic to. Those things could include dust mites, pollen, pet dander, or mold. When you breathe that in, your immune system reacts, and your airways become inflamed and clogged with mucus, making it hard to breathe. That’s a bit like asthma and allergy symptoms, so you can have both difficulties breathing and an allergic reaction at the same time.

Common Symptoms:

• Coughing
• Wheezing or whistling sound when exhaling
• Shortness of breath
• Chest tightness
• Pale, creamy, or white-colored runny or itchy nose (allergy)
• Sneezing or watery eyes (in some cases).

Why do we have breathing problems?

There are numerous causes of breathing problems. Some related to asthma, others to allergies, and occasionally both.

Causes of Asthma:

• Cold air
• Air pollution or smoke
• Exercise
• Dust or pollen
• Infections of the respiratory system (such as a cold or flu).
• Stress or strong emotions

Causes of Allergies:

• Pollen from trees, grass flowers
• Dust mites
• Mold
• Pet dander (hair or skin particles)
• Some foods, such as milk, nuts, or eggs
• Insect bites or stings

Causes of Allergic Asthma:

• Allergies to allergens such as pollen, mold, pet dander, and dust
• Seasonal changes, especially fall and spring, are common.
• Inhaling contaminated air or smoke.

Difference between asthma and allergy

While both can show similar signs, their underlying causes are different, so let's start the comparison of asthma vs. allergy:

This is the difference between asthma and allergy. When you read the difference, you find out that when both occur together then it is called allergic asthma, a condition where allergens directly trigger asthma symptoms (which we laid out above in detail). Moreover, if you are searching for Asthma Treatment near me, then you can make an appointment with Swasthya Clinic, one of the best clinics in Jaipur, Rajasthan.

 Final thoughts