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Asthma & Allergic Triggers

Understand whether environmental allergens may be contributing to your asthma — and when IgE blood testing can help

⚠️ Severe asthma attack — call 999 immediately

If you or someone you are with is struggling to breathe, cannot complete a full sentence, has blue or grey lips, or their reliever inhaler is not helping, call 999 and go to A&E. Always follow your prescribed asthma action plan and carry your reliever inhaler. For urgent non-emergency advice, call NHS 111.

What Is Asthma?

Asthma is a long-term respiratory condition in which the airways become inflamed and narrow, causing symptoms such as wheezing, coughing, chest tightness, and shortness of breath. According to Asthma + Lung UK, around 5.4 million people in the UK currently receive treatment for asthma — making it one of the most common chronic conditions in the country.

Asthma is typically diagnosed and managed by a GP or respiratory specialist using a combination of clinical history, symptom review, spirometry and other lung-function tests. Where allergens are suspected to be contributing to symptoms, IgE blood testing can be a useful complementary investigation.

For symptom-specific guidance and testing options for allergic asthma in particular, see our allergic asthma testing guide.

Allergic vs Non-Allergic Asthma

Although the symptoms overlap, the triggers and underlying mechanisms differ — which affects which investigations and management strategies are most useful.

Feature	Allergic (Extrinsic) Asthma	Non-Allergic (Intrinsic) Asthma
Typical onset	Often childhood / adolescence	Often adult-onset
Main triggers	Inhaled allergens (dust mites, pollen, pet dander, mould)	Cold air, exercise, viral infections, stress, air pollution, irritants
IgE involvement	Allergen-specific IgE typically detectable	Allergen-specific IgE usually not elevated
Atopic comorbidities	Often coexists with hay fever, eczema, food allergies	Less commonly associated with other allergic conditions
Seasonal pattern	Often worse during specific pollen seasons or in particular environments	Less obvious seasonal pattern
Allergy testing value	Can identify specific triggers to inform avoidance	Less informative; investigation focuses on non-allergic triggers

Common Allergic Triggers for Asthma

A wide range of inhaled allergens can contribute to allergic asthma. The most common in the UK include:

→ House dust mites — a year-round trigger present in bedding, soft furnishings and carpets
→ Tree, grass and weed pollens — seasonal triggers, often overlapping with hay fever
→ Pet dander — proteins shed from cats, dogs, horses and other furred animals
→ Mould spores — common in damp homes, including Alternaria and Cladosporium
→ Occupational allergens — see occupational allergies for workplace-related triggers

When to Consider Allergy Testing

Allergy testing is not appropriate for everyone with asthma, but it can be a useful investigation in certain situations. Consider discussing testing with your GP or respiratory specialist if:

→ Your asthma symptoms are not well controlled despite using your prescribed inhaler
→ Symptoms have a clear seasonal pattern or worsen in specific environments
→ You suspect a particular trigger — for example, symptoms flare when you are around pets, in damp buildings, or during certain pollen seasons
→ You have other allergic conditions such as eczema or hay fever
→ Your respiratory specialist has recommended trigger identification
→ You are exposed to potential occupational triggers — see laboratory-worker animal-dander sensitisation

Testing is most useful when interpreted in the context of your full clinical history. Always discuss whether and which allergy testing is appropriate with your healthcare professional first.

How Testing Works

Choose Your Test

Select from our range of allergy blood tests and book a convenient time at our South Kensington clinic. No GP referral needed.

Nurse Blood Draw

A qualified nurse takes a small blood sample at our clinic. The appointment is quick and straightforward.

Get Your Results

Results are sent directly to you, typically within a few working days. Share them with your GP or specialist to guide your next steps.

Tests That May Be Relevant for Asthma

See the full Environmental Allergy Test category hub → for the Rhinitis/Asthma Profile, London pollen calendar and component test options.

Why Choose a Diagnostic-Only Clinic?

Unlike clinics that provide both testing and treatment, our nurse-led service focuses solely on accurate diagnostic testing. Because we don't offer treatments or prescriptions, there is no commercial incentive to recommend unnecessary tests — just honest, impartial results you can trust.

Nurse-Led & Impartial

Our qualified nurses collect your sample — we don't prescribe, treat, or have any reason to upsell.

Results You Own

Your results are sent directly to you. Take them to your GP or a specialist to discuss what's best for your situation.

You Stay in Control

Understand your allergy profile, then decide with your healthcare professional what steps to take next.

Looking for Allergic Asthma Specifically?

For symptom-specific information on allergic asthma — including detailed test recommendations, FAQs about ECP and component testing, and the diagnostic pathway — see our dedicated allergic asthma guide.

Read the allergic asthma guide →

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between allergic and non-allergic asthma?

Allergic (extrinsic) asthma is triggered by inhaled allergens such as dust mites, pollen, pet dander or mould and involves IgE-mediated immune responses. Non-allergic (intrinsic) asthma is triggered by factors such as cold air, exercise, viral infections, stress or air pollution and is not driven by allergen-specific IgE. IgE blood testing can help identify whether allergic triggers may be contributing.

When should I consider allergy testing for my asthma?

It may be worth considering if symptoms are not well controlled despite using your inhaler, if symptoms worsen in specific seasons or environments, if you have a personal or family history of allergic conditions, or if your GP or respiratory specialist has suggested identifying potential triggers. Discuss with your healthcare professional first.

Will allergy testing change my asthma medication?

Allergy blood testing is diagnostic only. Results are shared with you and we recommend reviewing them with your GP or respiratory specialist, who will decide whether any changes to your asthma management plan are appropriate. Our clinic does not prescribe or alter asthma medication.

Do I need a GP referral?

No. You can book directly with our clinic without a GP referral. If you are unsure which test best fits your situation, our team can help guide your selection.

Do I need to stop my inhaler or antihistamines before the test?

No. IgE blood tests are not affected by inhalers or antihistamines, so you can continue your usual asthma and allergy medications before your appointment.

What should I do with my results?

As a diagnostic-only clinic, we provide results directly to you. We recommend sharing them with your GP or respiratory specialist for interpretation alongside your full clinical picture and asthma action plan.

Investigate Your Asthma Triggers

Book a blood test at our South Kensington clinic

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