Similarities and Differences Between Asthma and Allergies

An allergy occurs in a person's body as a response to any substance which results in a reaction even though the substance is not harmful in itself. A person who is allergic to a substance suffers some amount of inconvenience because of it. There are various similarities and also differences between asthma and allergies.

The similarities between asthma and allergy are as follows:

• Both are immune based diseases and doctors have given them a common diagnostic name which is Rhino bronchitis or Allergic airway syndrome.


• They can have a common trigger like pollen, dust, mold and sometimes even pets.


• Asthma and allergy release chemicals like leukotrienes and histamines in the body of the sufferer.


• Both are capable of causing inflammation of the respiratory system. Allergies can also lead to asthma especially in children, while an asthmatic attack can be an allergic attack as well.

Although asthma and allergy are similar and in some cases and one leads to the other, the differences between the two conditions are:

• Asthma or an asthmatic condition is a part of a patient's body which the sufferer cannot get away from. An allergy is generally triggered by a substance which is outside the patient's body.


• Asthma is a disease that can be controlled with medications and avoiding the things that trigger an attack. It usually remains the same in a patient and can sometimes get worse over a period of time. But allergy can change over a period of time and a person can get rid of certain allergies over the years.


• Chronic asthmatic attacks can damage the lungs and the respiratory system of the patient. But an allergic reaction apart from causing an attack of asthma can affect the other parts of the body.


• While asthma is a respiratory condition, an allergic reaction is usually caused by an immune reaction.