Can Allergies Cause Bronchitis: Symptoms, Treatment, and Insights

Allergies commonly cause itchy eyes, sneezing, and a stuffy nose. Allergies can also cause allergic bronchitis, with symptoms like coughing, wheezing, and shortness of breath.

Understanding the connection between allergies and bronchitis can help you protect your respiratory health and prevent potential complications.

Allergies occur when your immune system thinks certain substances, such as pollen, mold, pet dander, or dust, are harmful. When exposed to these allergens, your immune system releases chemicals to protect your body, which cause inflammation in your nose, throat, and airways.

Allergic bronchitis occurs when exposure to allergens causes inflammation in the bronchial tubes (bronchi), the airways that carry air into your lungs. Allergic bronchitis may be acute (short-term) or chronic, causing symptoms for three months each year for at least two years.

Not everyone with allergies develops allergic bronchitis. Regular or frequent exposure to some allergens can increase your risk. These irritants include:

• Cigarette smoke 
• Air pollution 
• Chemical fumes or dusts 

Symptoms of allergic bronchitis may include: 

• A persistent wet cough that produces mucus 
• Wheezing (a whistling or squeaking sound when you breathe) 
• Chest tightness 
• Shortness of breath, especially during physical activity 
• Fatigue 

These symptoms may worsen with exposure to allergens. Allergen exposure also causes classic allergy symptoms, including: 

• Runny or stuffy nose 
• Watery, itchy eyes
• Itchy nose
• Sneezing 
• Skin rash 

Treatment for allergic bronchitis focuses on opening the airways to help you breathe better. A healthcare provider can develop a treatment plan based on your symptoms and medical history. It may include the following options:

Over-The-Counter (OTC) Remedies

For acute bronchitis, you may find relief through over-the-counter (OTC) treatments and remedies such as throat lozenges, tea, and cough medicine.

Medications

Other medications for bronchitis help control inflammation. They also help open your airways, easing symptoms like coughing and wheezing. Your healthcare provider may prescribe:

• Bronchodilators: These inhaled medications relax the muscles around your airways to improve your breathing. Long-acting bronchodilators, typically taken daily, help keep the airways open, providing relief for hours. Short-acting bronchodilators, taken as needed, open the airways quickly and may help in a flare.
• Corticosteroids: Corticosteroids help reduce inflammation in your airways. Inhaled corticosteroids may be a long-term treatment for allergic bronchitis. Oral (taken by mouth) corticosteroids help reduce inflammation in your whole body, and healthcare providers typically only prescribe them on a short-term basis during flare-ups when symptoms are severe. 
• Mucolytics: These medications help thin and loosen mucus, making it easier to cough up and clear the mucus from your lungs.

Pulmonary Rehabilitation 

Pulmonary rehabilitation combines education, breathing exercises, and support for people with chronic lung conditions such as allergic bronchitis. These programs may help you manage your symptoms, increase your fitness, and improve your quality of life.

Pulmonary rehabilitation programs typically include:

• Breathing exercises to help you control symptoms like shortness of breath 
• Education about allergic bronchitis, how to manage symptoms, and how to live well with it
• Exercises to help you build strength and improve endurance so you can participate in the activities you enjoy
• Counseling and support to help manage the psychological and emotional aspects of living with allergic bronchitis 

Oxygen Therapy 

For severe symptoms that make breathing difficult, oxygen therapy can help increase the oxygen levels in your body.

Depending on your symptoms, your healthcare provider may prescribe oxygen therapy for flare-ups or physical activity. If you have ongoing low oxygen levels or breathing problems, your provider may prescribe continuous oxygen therapy, such as a portable oxygen tank, to help make breathing easier.

If you have allergic bronchitis or are looking to prevent it, healthy daily habits and environmental adjustments can help control your airway inflammation and symptoms. The goal is to limit exposure to triggers that cause inflammation in your airways.

Common strategies include:

• Avoid known allergens: Identify and avoid substances that make your allergy or allergic bronchitis symptoms worse, such as pollen, dust mites, mold, pet dander, and strong chemical odors.
• Improve indoor air quality: Consider using high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filters to remove airborne allergens in your home. Clean regularly to remove dust and mold, and wash your bedding and blankets in hot water to reduce dust mites. 
• Avoid or quit smoking: If you smoke, quitting is one of the most important steps you can take to protect your lungs. Avoiding secondhand smoke is just as important.
• Stay physically active: Regular exercise can help strengthen your lungs and improve your respiratory health. You can talk to a healthcare provider about physical activities that may be safe for you.
• Get vaccinated: Respiratory infections, including influenza (the flu) and COVID-19, can trigger or worsen allergic bronchitis symptoms. Staying current on your vaccines can help lower your risk of these infections and protect your respiratory health.

See a healthcare provider if you have symptoms of allergic bronchitis, such as a persistent cough with mucus or breathing problems that don’t improve with allergy medication.

You should also see a healthcare provider if you experience any of the following symptoms:

• Chest pain or trouble breathing
• Fever 
• Green or yellow mucus when coughing 
• Difficulty speaking or catching your breath 

Allergic bronchitis can occur due to inflammation in the bronchial tubes from exposure to allergens. Symptoms include a persistent wet cough, shortness of breath, and chest tightness.

Allergic bronchitis may be a short-term or long-term condition, but lifestyle changes and medications can help you manage symptoms and improve your quality of life.