CareIMO

Can seasonal allergies cause chest tightness or is this something else?

Hello there! Patients with allergic rhinitis can have associated chest tightness/wheezing primarily through two mechanisms either by inducing lower airw...

General - 3 replies - 2 verified provider replies

Question

Every spring I get the usual allergy stuff, sneezy, itchy eyes, congestion. But the last two years I've also been getting this chest tightness and mild wheezing along with it, especially when I'm outside for a long time or after yard work. It goes away when allergy season ends. Benadryl helps the sneezing and eyes but doesn't seem to touch the chest symptoms. Never had breathing problems before a couple years ago.

Context

I ran cross country in high school and college and never had any issues with my lungs. Both my parents have bad seasonal allergies and my dad was diagnosed with asthma in his 40s.

Discussion replies

Anonymous Provider - Verified provider

Hello there! Patients with allergic rhinitis can have associated chest tightness/wheezing primarily through two mechanisms either by inducing lower airway inflammation or triggering a coexisting asthma. Next steps would be to follow up with your pcp/pulmonologist to be evaluated for possible underlying asthma as well as other possible causes.

smac

Thank you for the response. That's really helpful. A couple follow-up questions if you don't mind. When you say evaluated for possible asthma, what does that usually involve? Is it just a breathing test or something more involved? And in the meantime, is there anything I can take or do for the chest tightness during allergy season? The Benadryl handles the sneezing and eyes but doesn't touch the chest stuff at all. Also curious if the fact that my dad developed asthma in his 40s makes it more likely that's what's happening with me.

Anonymous Provider - Verified provider

Hello there! Patients with allergic rhinitis can have associated chest tightness/wheezing primarily through two mechanisms either by inducing lower airway inflammation or triggering a coexisting asthma. Next steps would be to follow up with your pcp/pulmonologist to be evaluated for possible underlying asthma as well as other possible causes.

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