Allergy and Asthma

Living with allergies and asthma can be a lifelong challenge. But these diseases are manageable with compassionate support and expert care. UMass Memorial Health offers innovative asthma and allergy treatments. We also educate you and provide the tools and guidance you need to manage the symptoms and disease successfully.

Connection Between Asthma and Allergies

Asthma and allergies are chronic diseases involving your body’s reaction to a trigger. They also both tend to occur in the same people. More than 60% of people with asthma also have an allergy.

An allergic reaction occurs when your immune system mistakenly believes a harmless substance is dangerous. As your immune system tries to “protect” you, it releases chemicals that cause allergy symptoms, such as congestion, itchy skin or watering eyes.      

The most common type of asthma is allergic asthma, which is allergens causing asthma symptoms. Your airways swell and become inflamed, making it hard to breathe. But allergens aren’t the only things that trigger asthma. People with asthma can also experience swollen and inflamed airways as a reaction to exercise, cold air, respiratory infection and stress.

Types of Allergies and Asthma We Treat

There are many types of allergies and asthma. A proper diagnosis can guide treatment and increase the chances of successful disease management.

At UMass Memorial, we test for and treat allergies caused by:

• Antibiotics
• Bees and other insects
• Drugs and medications
• Environmental triggers, which can be seasonal
• Food
• Latex
• Local anesthetic
• Pet allergens

We treat all types of asthma, including:    

• Allergic asthma
• Aspirin-exacerbated respiratory disease
• Asthma-chronic obstructive pulmonary disease overlap syndrome
• Exercise-induced asthma
• Work-related (occupational) asthma

Allergy and Asthma Service We Provide

We diagnose and treat allergies and asthma with a range of services, including:

• Aspirin challenge and desensitization program
• Intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG), to reduce severe inflammation
• Immunotherapy, administered as allergy shots or sublingual (under the tongue) tablets
• Medical management, which may include inhalants, oral or topical medication and injectable drugs
• Skin testing, to identify allergens