Allergies and asthma

Any condition that challenges your child’s ability to breathe is scary and unpredictable, but asthma and allergies are easily treatable. Our allergists and asthma doctors work with you and your child to help you manage both asthma and allergic reactions and learn how to prevent future attacks.

Are allergies and asthma related?

Allergies and asthma are closely related. This connection is often referred to as allergic asthma. When you have allergies, your immune system overreacts to substances such as pollen, pet dander, dust mites or mold. These allergens can also lead to asthma symptoms such as wheezing, coughing and shortness of breath.

Allergies and asthma both involve inflammation of the airway. In asthma, the inflammation is more severe and makes it harder to breathe.

Managing your child’s allergies can help reduce asthma symptoms and prevent asthma attacks. Treatment for both conditions often includes avoiding allergens and using medications such as antihistamines or inhalers (bronchodilators) to manage symptoms.

What are common causes of childhood asthma?

Childhood asthma is influenced by several factors, some of which may differ from those that lead to asthma in adults.

The most common causes of childhood asthma include:

• Cold air: Breathing in cold, dry air can cause asthma symptoms, particularly if your child already has an immunological disorder or allergies.
• Exposure to tobacco smoke: If your child is exposed to secondhand smoke, either during pregnancy or after birth, they have a higher risk of developing asthma.
• Family history: If you or a close relative has asthma, your child is more likely to develop the condition.
• Indoor allergens: Exposure to common indoor allergens such as dust mites, pet dander, mold and cockroach droppings can cause asthma symptoms in children.
• Outdoor allergens: Pollen from trees, grasses and weeds can cause asthma flare-ups, especially during seasons when those pollens are active.
• Polluted air: Exposure to outdoor and indoor pollutants can cause asthma and make it worse.
• Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV): RSV is a common virus that can cause severe respiratory illness in young children and is often linked to the development of asthma.
• Viral infections: Respiratory infections, such as the common cold or flu, are a leading cause of asthma symptoms in children. These infections can cause inflammation in the airways and may lead to asthma attacks.

What causes childhood allergies?

Childhood allergies are caused by the immune system's reaction to a normally harmless substance, known as an allergen.

If your child has allergies, when they come into contact with an allergen – whether it's through inhaling, eating or touching the allergen – their immune system mistakenly identifies it as a threat. This causes a response to fight off the allergen, leading to symptoms including sneezing, itching, rashes or more severe reactions.

Common causes of allergies include:

• Dust mites
• Foods (such as berries, eggs, milk, peanuts, shellfish)
• Insect stings or bites
• Latex in gloves or balloons
• Medications (such as penicillin)
• Mold spores
• Pet dander (tiny flecks of skin shed by animals)
• Pollen (from trees, grasses, and weeds)

A family history of allergies, asthma or eczema increases the likelihood of a child having allergies. If one or both parents have allergies, a child is more likely to experience them as well.

Who diagnoses pediatric asthma and allergies?

Pediatric asthma is typically diagnosed by a pediatrician or a pediatric pulmonologist, a doctor who specializes in lung conditions in children.

Your child’s doctor will ask about things such as:

• Exposure to common allergens and cold air
• Family history of asthma, allergies or other respiratory conditions
• Symptoms

Your child’s doctor may recommend allergy testing, such as a skin-prick test, to identify specific allergens.

If asthma is suspected, the doctor may prescribe an inhaler and monitor how your child responds to it. Improvement in breathing after using the inhaler can help confirm an asthma diagnosis.

Why see a pediatric allergist or asthma doctor?

If your child suffers from asthma, allergies or any immunological disorders, our specialists can help guide you every step of the way. Allergy and asthma specialists understand the unique ways these conditions affect children and they’re equipped to provide targeted care to manage these conditions and prevent attacks.

We provide care for children of all ages – infants, children and adolescents – and we know these conditions affect the entire family. That’s why your Advocate Children’s allergist will work closely with you, your child and your child’s pediatrician.

Our specialists focus on family consultation and education as part of every child’s asthma and allergy management program. And our treatment team works closely with the entire family to help you identify and eliminate chronic problems or causes of allergies and asthma.

Immunological disorders we treat

We’re highly experienced in treating a wide range of conditions including:

• Allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis
• Angioedema
• Asthma
• Atopic dermatitis (eczema)
• Bronchiectasis
• Chronic cough
• Drug allergies
• Environmental allergies
• Food allergies
• Insect venom allergy
• Urticaria (acute and chronic)

Allergy and asthma treatments and services

Whether we’re diagnosing a problem or controlling symptoms, our patients have access to comprehensive care for their allergies and asthma.

Treatments and services we offer include:

• Allergy testing (blood and skin)
• Audiology referral
• ENT referral
• Family consultation and evaluation
• Imaging studies, including chest X-ray and CT scan of the chest and sinuses
• Injection therapy with monoclonal antibodies including Xolair, Nucala, Fasenra and Dupixent
• Methacholine challenge
• Penicillin testing
• Pulmonary function testing

If your child’s asthma attacks happen regularly and are severe, our Severe Persistent Asthma Program (SPAP) is here to help. This multidisciplinary program is for children with severe and difficult-to-control asthma.

Your care team will include physicians, nurses, respiratory therapists, psychologists, physical therapists and social workers to help you understand how to respond to an attack and keep them under control.

Educational resources

Resources for kids

• Allergy information
• Asthma information

Resources for teens

• Allergy information
• Asthma information

Resources for parents

• Allergy information
• Asthma information
• Asthma family guide [PDF]