Dandelion Asthma
Asthma is a long-term condition in which the airways become inflamed and narrow, which can cause cough, wheeze, chest tightness and shortness of breath. An allergist can check how well your lungs are working, look for allergic triggers and help you and your doctor plan for better control.
Common signs people are referred for
A doctor may refer you to an allergist if you or your child have:
- A cough that is worse at night, after exercise or with colds
- Wheezing or chest tightness
- Shortness of breath with activity that seems out of proportion
- Symptoms that flare around pets, dust, pollen or mould
- Needing a reliever inhaler often, or asthma that feels hard to control
- Hay fever or eczema together with breathing symptoms
These are reasons a doctor may suggest an allergist visit. They are not a way to diagnose yourself or your child.
How an allergist assesses it
Your allergist will ask when symptoms happen, how often, what seems to set them off and how they affect sleep, school, work and exercise. Medications are reviewed, including how often a reliever is needed. Many people find it useful to bring their inhalers so that technique can be checked, because even the right medication may not work well if it is not used as intended.
Breathing tests help show how the lungs are working. Spirometry measures how much air you can breathe out and how quickly, and it is often part of an asthma assessment.
Because allergies are a common trigger for some people, your allergist may also suggest allergy skin testing or blood tests. A positive test alone does not confirm that an allergen is driving your asthma, so results are read together with your history. Our asthma management page describes this in more detail.
Your clinic will tell you before the visit what, if anything, needs to be paused. Please do not pause any medication unless the clinic or your own doctor has told you to.
Treatment and management options
Asthma care is individual, and your allergist will adjust the plan as your symptoms and lung function change. Options may include:
- Guidance on avoiding or reducing contact with your triggers
- Controller and reliever medications as prescribed by your own physician or allergist, with a review of inhaler and spacer technique
- A written asthma action plan so that you and your family know what to do when symptoms change
- Immunotherapy for allergic triggers, which may be considered for some patients. See environmental allergy immunotherapy
- Biologic treatments, which may be considered for some patients with more severe asthma
Please keep using your asthma medications as prescribed. Any change to them should be made with your own doctor or allergist.
Children and adults
Our pediatric and adult allergists see all ages. Children with a night cough or wheeze with colds, teens who play sports and adults with new or long-standing symptoms can all be assessed at the same clinic.
Frequently asked questions
Can allergies make asthma worse?
For some people, yes. Allergic triggers such as pollen, dust mites, mould and animals can bring on asthma symptoms. An allergist can look for these triggers and talk with you about ways to manage them.
What is spirometry?
Spirometry is a breathing test in which you blow out as hard and as long as you can into a mouthpiece. It shows how much air you can breathe out and how quickly. It does not involve needles.
What should I bring to an asthma visit?
Bring your health card, referral details, a list of your medications, notes on your symptoms and when they happen, and your inhalers if you have them.
Can children be assessed for asthma?
Yes. Our pediatric allergists see children, and the visit is adjusted to suit the child's age. Your child's doctor can include any questions in the referral.
Related reading
Getting an assessment
For patients
Patients cannot refer themselves. Ask your family doctor or a walk-in clinic to fax a referral to 416 850 9993, and our team will contact you to book.
How referrals workFor physicians
Send a referral through our secure online form, or read the referral guide first.
Open the referral formLast updated: October 2026Prepared by: Dandelion Allergy CentreGeneral information only, not medical advice. Your allergist's instructions take priority over anything on this page.