One in 13 children are affected by food allergies. While food allergies do not cause asthma, children with food allergies are more likely to have asthma than children with no food allergies. Food allergies can also exacerbate asthma symptoms. Having a diagnosis of both food allergy and asthma has also been shown to influence the severity of a patient’s disease including being at greater risk of severe asthmatic episodes.7
Most Common Food Allergens8
- Milk
- Eggs
- Fish
- Shellfish (e.g., crab, lobster, shrimp)
- Tree nuts (e.g., almonds, walnuts, pecans)
- Peanuts
- Wheat
- Soybeans
- Sesame
- Maraschino cherries
Common Reactions to Food Allergies
- Skin rashes, itching, and hives
- Swelling of the lips, tongue, or throat
- Stomach pain, vomiting, and diarrhea
- Shortness of breath, trouble breathing, and wheezing
- Dizziness and/or fainting
Food Preservatives
Food preservatives, such as sulfites, can trigger asthma if eaten in high amounts.9 High sulfite foods may include:
- Dried fruits and vegetables
- Packaged potatoes
- Bottled lime and lemon juice
- Shrimp
- Pickled foods
If you suspect your child may have a food allergy, make an appointment with your doctor. They will figure out if your child has an allergy based on your child’s symptoms and test results. The doctor may also refer your child to an allergy specialist for further testing and treatment.
7Foong RX, du Toit G, Fox AT. Asthma, Food Allergy, and How They Relate to Each Other. Frontiers in Pediatrics. 2017 May 9;5:89. doi: 10.3389/fped.2017.00089. PMID:28536690; PMCID: PMC5422552.
8U.S. Food and Drug Administration
9Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America