About S-Curves

The Relationship Between Asthma And Child Allergies

Childhood asthma is a condition that is both directly related to and entirely separate from child allergies; understanding the relationship between childhood asthma and child allergies is an important step in the treatment and management of both conditions.

Is Asthma An Allergy?

Asthma is a condition which affects the lungs and airways and restricts the ability of the child to breathe properly.  Asthma causes inflammation of the airways which may be exacerbated by congestion, limiting the ability of the body to intake adequate air.  Narrowed air passages result in the symptoms of an asthma attack, which include:

• Coughing
• Night-time cough
• Wheezing (a whistling sound in the lungs when breathing)
• Excessive movement of the belly when breathing
• Pulling in (“tugging”) at the base of the neck while breathing
• Difficulty breathing
• Tightening of the chest

Decreased air-intake results in a lowering of the blood oxygen levels, which can impact energy and in fact become life threatening; inhaled and/or oral steroids and asthma medications are needed to reduce inflammation and restore proper breathing.  When oxygen levels are low, inhaled oxygen may be necessary.

Asthma in itself is not an allergy, but allergies can cause asthma attacks to occur.  An asthma attack may be triggered by an allergic reaction.  Common allergens which affect child asthma and child allergies include:

• Mold
• Dust mites
• Pollen
• Cockroaches
• Cat and/or dog allergens

Some children with allergies may exhibit asthma-like symptoms, but may not be diagnosed as having asthma.  In order to be categorized as having asthma, a history of asthma needs to be established.  This can take multiple attacks, but this does not mean your child’s asthma and child allergies will not be treated—treatment of child asthma and allergies is necessary to restore proper lung function.