Is asthma caused by allergies?
There is allergic and non-allergic asthma. When the cause of asthma is allergies, they usually, though not always, appear before age 35. If you have allergic asthma, your lungs will go into an asthma episode or attack when you contact things you are allergic to. • If I never had allergies as a child, could I get them now? Yes. Allergies can take many years to develop. A change in your lifestyle such as a new job or a move to a new area could have exposed you to new causes. And asthma patterns can change with age. • What could I be allergic to? The list is almost endless. Some common problems are the tiny particles, including pollens and mold spores, that get into the air from trees, plants, and hay. Animal skin, hair, and feathers, including wool clothing and feather pillows, also give off tiny particles that can cause allergies. Insect parts such as particles from dead cockroaches are a major problem, especially in cities. Some people are sensitive to certain substances without being
