Asthma and allergy symptoms often come from the same source. An allergy is the immune system reacting to something harmless, such as pollen or mold, and in the nose and eyes that reaction causes sneezing, congestion, and itching. In allergic asthma, the same reaction also reaches the lungs, where it swells and tightens the airways and leads to coughing, wheezing, and chest tightness.
That shared cause explains why fall can be hard on people with asthma in North Texas. Ragweed pollen and mold spores are high just as school starts and colds begin to spread, so the nose and the lungs are irritated at the same time. Allergic asthma care includes identifying those triggers and planning treatment between flare ups, rather than only reacting when symptoms start.
Allergic Asthma at a Glance
Allergic asthma is asthma that flares when you breathe in something you are allergic to, such as ragweed, mold, dust mites, or pet dander. In fall, ragweed, outdoor mold, and back to school colds overlap, so symptoms often get worse. Treatment usually combines daily airway control with care for the allergy itself.
| Treatment | What it does | Who it is often for |
|---|---|---|
| Rescue inhaler | Opens the airways quickly during symptoms | Everyone with asthma, for flare ups |
| Controller inhaler | Lowers airway swelling over time when used daily | People with frequent or persistent symptoms |
| Allergy medicines and nasal sprays | Calm nose and eye symptoms that can worsen asthma | People with hay fever plus asthma |
| Biologic injections | Block specific parts of the allergic reaction | Severe allergic asthma not controlled by inhalers |
| Immunotherapy | Trains the immune system to react less to allergens | People with clear allergic triggers |
How Are Asthma and Allergy Symptoms Connected?
Allergies and asthma often share both the trigger and the immune response. When your body treats pollen or dust as a threat, it releases chemicals that inflame the nose and eyes. In allergic asthma, the airways in the lungs react too. Our page on allergic asthma care in DFW explains how the clinic evaluates both together.
Because the trigger comes from outside the body, allergic asthma is also called extrinsic asthma. According to the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America, it is the most common type of asthma. It is more likely in people who have hay fever, eczema, or a family history of allergies.
Why Does Allergic Asthma Get Worse in the Fall?
Fall brings several asthma triggers at once. The American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology calls September “Asthma Peak Month” because flare ups and hospital visits rise then, especially in children. These are the triggers to know:
Ragweed. In North Texas, ragweed pollen is heaviest from about August through November and usually lasts until the first freeze. On a high ragweed day, someone with allergic asthma may start coughing within hours.
Outdoor mold. Fall rain and wet leaf piles give mold a place to grow. Raking or playing in leaves can stir up a large dose of spores.
Back to school colds. Viruses spread quickly in classrooms. Colds and flu are common asthma triggers, and they can hit harder when allergies have already irritated the airways.
Paused medicine. Some families stop controller medicine over the summer when a child feels fine. Restarting late leaves the lungs less protected as triggers rise.
Weather swings. Cold fronts, wind, and dry air can all irritate sensitive airways.
What Does an Allergic Asthma Cough Feel Like?
An allergic asthma cough is usually dry or brings up a little clear mucus. It often gets worse at night, early in the morning, or after exercise or time outdoors, and it may come with wheezing, chest tightness, or shortness of breath.
Some people cough without the classic wheeze, so other signs help point toward allergic asthma. These include sneezing and itchy eyes along with chest symptoms, needing your rescue inhaler more than usual, trouble keeping up during sports or recess, and lower readings on a peak flow meter.
If a cough lingers for weeks after a cold, keeps waking you up, or returns every fall, ask about a chronic cough evaluation. Asthma is one of several possible causes, and a breathing test can help sort them out.
How Do You Treat Allergic Asthma?
Treatment has three parts: calming the airways every day, avoiding known triggers where you can, and treating the allergy behind the asthma. Which parts matter most depends on your test results and how often you have symptoms.
Inhalers and daily medicine
Controller inhalers, usually inhaled corticosteroids alone or combined with a long acting medicine, are the base of treatment for persistent asthma. If you are comparing options, our guide to the best inhalers for asthma explains the common choices. Beyond inhalers, a daily pill called montelukast can help both asthma and nasal allergies in some people, but it is not right for everyone, and the FDA warns about possible mood and behavior side effects.
Biologics for severe allergic asthma
When inhalers do not control symptoms, a biologic may be considered. Omalizumab, for example, blocks IgE, the antibody involved in allergic reactions. You can read more about biologic treatments for severe asthma and who qualifies.
Immunotherapy for the allergy behind the asthma
Inhalers protect the lungs, but they do not change the allergy underneath. Immunotherapy works on that allergy gradually, with small, steady doses of the allergens you react to. Treatment usually runs 3 to 5 years, and the benefit can last after it ends.
You can choose allergy shots in the office or take drops at home. The clinic’s CureSLIT allergy drops at home are needle free and can help treat seasonal allergies and help treat or prevent the development of asthma.
What Is the Best Medicine for Asthma and Allergies?
There is no single best medicine for asthma and allergies, because the right choice depends on your triggers and how severe your asthma is. A common approach pairs a controller inhaler with good nasal allergy control, and adds immunotherapy when testing shows clear allergic triggers.
Whatever combination you use, do not stop a controller medicine on your own, even when you feel well. For children, that steady routine is easier to keep with a written asthma action plan, which helps parents, caregivers, and school staff know what to do.
When Should You See an Allergist About Asthma?
See an allergist if you use your rescue inhaler more than twice a week, wake at night coughing, miss school or work because of breathing trouble, or notice that your asthma flares every fall. It is also worth a visit if nasal allergies and chest symptoms seem to rise and fall together. Some symptoms should not wait for an appointment, so seek emergency care right away for severe shortness of breath, blue lips, or trouble speaking.
Because one allergy can affect both the nose and the lungs, Dr. M. Waseem Imam looks at them together at the same visit. Skin prick or blood testing checks for the allergens tied to your flare ups. If ragweed, mold, or dust mites show up, immunotherapy can be considered alongside the controller medicine you already use.
You can have that visit at the Arlington asthma and allergy clinic on N Collins St. For families farther north, there are asthma and allergy doctors in Keller. The Mansfield asthma care office covers the south side of the metro. Spanish and Arabic speaking staff are available at the clinic.
Asthma That Flares Every Fall
If your coughing, wheezing, or rescue inhaler use climbs each fall, an allergy evaluation can show whether ragweed, mold, or another allergen is part of the pattern.
Book your allergy evaluation or call (817) 678 5575.
Serving Arlington, Keller, Mansfield, and the greater Dallas Fort Worth area.
About Dr. M. Waseem Imam: Dr. M. Waseem Imam, DO, FACAAI, founded Cure Allergy Clinic and serves as its Chief Medical Officer. He is board certified in adult and pediatric Allergy and Immunology.
Medical Disclaimer
This blog is for informational and educational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice.