According to the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology, one form of asthma is asthma that occurs in conjunction with allergies. This is known as "allergy-induced asthma," which develops when an allergic reaction brings about asthma-related symptoms. The method of treating the two conditions is often unique, though some allergies, such as hay fever (allergic rhinitis), can utilize the same medications used to treat asthma, albeit in different ways.
General Treatment
A common treatment for both hay fever and asthma is corticosteroids, though their methods of being administered differ. For hay fever, you would typically use a spray, much like a nasal spray, to help reduce inflammation. Corticosteroids such as fluticasone can be inhaled to help combat the inflammation of the bronchial tubes, which is a primary indicator of asthma. According to the Mayo Clinic, immunotherapy, which is used to make you less sensitive to allergies, can help with allergy-induced asthma, as can cromolyn, which is inhaled for asthma and used as a nasal spray for hay fever.
Immunotherapy is a long-term form of treatment, typically used for upwards of five years and given as an injection. Finally, a drug known as a leukotriene modifier, which works by helping to regulate chemicals excreted by the immune system when an allergic reaction takes place, ca be used to treat the symptoms associated with allergy-induced asthma.
Specialized Treatment
Although there is a strong connection between asthma and hay fever, some medications are effective in treating symptoms associated with one condition and not the other. According to the Mayo Clinic, one such example is an antihistamine such as diphenhydramine, which is typically used to treat symptoms such as a runny nose, sneezing and itching. This is only effective on hay fever.
Conversely, asthma patients can benefit from bronchodilators, which are inhaled medications that assist in the opening of airways as well as help reduce inflammation. Determining which medications work best for your individual case is dependent on the severity of your condition, and whether or not your asthma has been induced by hay fever. Before beginning any treatment regimen for either hay fever, asthma or both, consult with your doctor to determine the best course of action.
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