Yes, they can. Seasonal allergies are best known for causing symptoms like a runny, itchy or stuffy nose, sneezing and chest tightness, but they can also trigger something called allergic asthma.

Read on as our AFC Urgent Care Louisville team further explains!

What Are Seasonal Allergies?

When our immune systems interact with a normally harmless substance that our body deems as harmful, they emit chemicals called histamines to protect our bodies, which cause our noses and throats to become irritated and inflamed. Although it doesn’t feel like it, the pesky symptoms caused by histamines are actually signs that our bodies are bolstering the protection of our immune systems.

Most allergies are caused by the air we breathe and contact with other allergens, such as pollen, dust mites, mold spores and pet dander. We’ve listed some common symptoms below.

Common Allergy Symptoms

• Runny/stuffy nose
• Shortness of breath
• Watery eyes
• Lots of throat congestion
• Sneezing
• Coughing
• Itchy nose and eyes

How Do Allergies Affect My Breathing?

Seasonal allergies usually affect your breathing in two ways: allergic rhinitis (or hay fever) and allergic asthma. Allergic rhinitis affects the nose and sinuses, which can lead to sneezing, congestion, an itchy nose, itchy eyes and shortness of breath when especially congested.

Allergic asthma primarily affects the lungs and is common among those diagnosed with asthma. If you are unsure why you are dealing with shortness of breath, don’t hesitate to visit our AFC center or your local allergist to get the answers and treatment you need.

Allergic Asthma Symptoms

• Coughing
• Wheezing (a whistling, squeaky sound when you breathe)
• Shortness of breath
• Rapid breathing
• Chest tightness

Whether it be asthma, seasonal allergies or other general health complications, our AFC Urgent Care Louisville team is here for you! Don’t hesitate to visit us to get the care you need.