Types of asthma

Asthma is a very common long term lung condition. In the UK, 5.4 million people have asthma. This is about 8 in every 100 people.  People can have different symptoms and triggers. You may hear different terms used to describe your asthma. On this page, we explain the most common terms for different types of asthma.

Most types of asthma are managed by:

• using your preventer inhaler or your MART inhaler every day, if you have been prescribed one 
• using your reliever inhaler when you have asthma symptoms 
• using a written asthma action plan 
• having regular asthma reviews with your GP or nurse.

Some types of asthma may require add-on treatments or specialist treatments.

Allergic asthma is asthma that is triggered by allergens like pollen, pets, and dust mites. It is sometimes called atopic asthma. About 4 out of 5 people with asthma have allergies.  

If you’re diagnosed with asthma, you may have a skin prick test or blood test to see if you are allergic to any common allergens. This will help you understand your asthma triggers.

Many people with allergic triggers for their asthma also have non-allergic triggers, like cold weather and cigarette smoke.

Non-allergic asthma, also known as non-atopic asthma, is asthma that isn’t related to an allergy trigger like pollen or dust mites. It’s less common than allergic asthma. About 1 in 5 people with asthma have non-allergic asthma. Non-allergic asthma often develops later in life.  

If your asthma does not seem to be triggered by things like pollen, dust mites or pets, you might have non-allergic asthma.  Non-allergic asthma can be triggered by things like:

• air pollution
• damp and mould
• colds, flu and chest infections
• stress 
• recreational drugs and cigarette smoke.

Your GP or asthma nurse can help you find the best way to manage your asthma.

Some people only get asthma symptoms at certain times of the year, such as during hay fever season, or when the weather is cold. You may hear this referred to as ‘seasonal’ asthma.

Even if you only have symptoms at certain times in the year, it’s important to keep following your asthma action plan and to take your preventer inhaler as prescribed.

If you only need help managing your asthma only at certain times of the year, your GP or nurse may prescribe an AIR treatment plan.

Our advice can help you manage seasonal triggers like pollen and the weather.

Occupational asthma is asthma caused by things you are exposed to in your workplace. About 1 in 10 people who develop asthma as an adult have occupational asthma.

You might have occupational asthma if:

• your asthma symptoms started as an adult and
• your asthma symptoms improve on the days you’re not at work.

Occupational asthma can be caused by many things. For example, if you work in a bakery, flour dust could trigger symptoms, or if you work in healthcare, latex might be a trigger.

If you think you may have occupational asthma, talk to your GP or nurse so you can get the right help, including referral to a specialist. 

We have more information on occupational asthma, including what your employer should do and what compensation and benefits you may be entitled to.

9 in 10 people with asthma get tightening in their airways caused by exercise. This is called bronchoconstriction. It can also occur in people who do not have asthma. 

You can get symptoms of bronchoconstriction during or after exercise. They include:

• a tight chest
• breathlessness
• wheezing (a whistling sound when breathing)
• coughing.

If you have not been diagnosed with asthma but you have these symptoms, see your GP. They can:

• give you tests to see if you have asthma or another condition that may be causing the symptoms. 
• give you medicine if you need it to help manage your symptoms so you can continue to exercise safely.  

If you have asthma and it gets worse during or after exercise, read our advice on exercise. If symptoms continue to be a problem, make an appointment to see your GP or nurse and review your treatment. Your GP may give you add-on treatments to take before exercising, to help manage your symptoms.

Being active can help you manage your asthma and improve your quality of life.  Find out more about how to enjoy exercise and activities safely.

Difficult asthma is a term used to describe asthma that requires high-dose treatment to control symptoms. Around 1 in 5 adults with asthma have difficult asthma. It is sometimes called difficult-to-control asthma or difficult-to-treat asthma.

For most people, managing your asthma well can improve your symptoms. This means: 

• if you have a preventer or MART inhaler, taking it every day as prescribed
• using correct inhaler technique 
• using an asthma action plan, so you know what to do if you get asthma symptoms
• having an asthma review at least once a year.

Severe asthma is a type of difficult asthma where symptoms are hard to control even with high doses of medicine. About 1 in 25 adults with asthma have severe asthma. Severe asthma is usually diagnosed and treated in a specialist asthma clinic.  

You may have severe asthma if:

• you’re finding your asthma symptoms hard to control, even with prescribed treatments 
• you’ve had two or more asthma attacks needing oral steroids in a year 
• you’ve had one or more asthma attacks needing treatment in hospital in a year  
• your asthma symptoms are stopping you sleeping properly. 

If any of these apply to you, make sure you make an appointment with your GP. They may refer you to an asthma specialist for further tests.

If you have severe asthma, you might need different treatments. We have a lot of information about severe asthma, including what it is, how it’s diagnosed, and how it’s treated.

Eosinophilic asthma is caused by high levels of blood cells called eosinophils in the airways. These blood cells cause inflammation.  

You can have eosinophilic asthma as part of another type of asthma. For example, some people have allergic eosinophilic asthma or severe eosinophilic asthma.  

Eosinophilic asthma is often treated with biologic therapies if it does not respond to standard asthma treatments. These reduce the number of eosinophils in your airways. 
 

Asthma is the most common long term condition affecting children in the UK. Around 1 in 11 children in the UK have asthma. 

Some children diagnosed with asthma find it improves or disappears completely as they get older. This is known as childhood asthma. Asthma can sometimes return later in life. 

If your child has asthma, read our advice to help your child stay well.
 

Asthma often starts in childhood, but some people are diagnosed with asthma for the first time when they’re an adult. This is known as adult onset asthma or late onset asthma.  

Some of the causes of adult onset asthma are:

• asthma caused by substances you are exposed to at work (occupational asthma) 
• smoking and second-hand smoke 
• obesity 
• female sex hormones.