Experts have known for some time that having allergies increases the risk for developing asthma. Now, new research provides more evidence for this link.

Research published by a division of the National Institutes of Health in the Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology reveals that:

• more than half of the current asthma cases in the US can be attributed to allergy
• 30 percent of those cases are due to cat allergy, one of the more potent forms of allergy to animal dander
• the study looked a skin testing data from more than 10 thousand people, with allergies to all different types of substances
• the strongest relationship between asthma and allergies involved allergy to cats, white oak and a fungus called Alternaria

Researchers stated that this study proved the environment often plays a major role in the development of asthma. However, they did find a number of cases where the asthma was NOT related to allergy, so more study is needed.

Still, if you or your child have allergies, especially cat allergy, it would be wise to discuss the risk for asthma and what actions, if any, should be taken.