Asthma and food allergies

Overreacts to a substance that is normally harmless to most people.

These substances are also known as

Being exposed to an allergen may cause irritation or swelling in areas of the body such as the nose, eyes, lungs, air passages and skin. and can be life-threatening. An allergic reaction to food may be mild, moderate or severe.

Some of the symptoms may include: nausea

An anaphylactic reaction, or anaphylaxis, is an extreme allergic reaction that can be life threatening without prompt medical treatment. A life-saving injection of adrenaline, administered through an auto-injector such as EpiPen® or Anapen® (also known as an adrenaline autoinjector), is required to treat anaphylaxis to prevent permanent injury or death.

The onset of symptoms can occur immediately (within 2 minutes to 2 hours) or steadily get worse over time.

Some of the symptoms of anaphylaxis include:

• which means the symptoms get worse the more you eat

Some of the food chemicals that are known to trigger asthma in susceptible people include:

• – these additives are widely used as preservatives antioxidants in the food pharmaceutical industries – such as the yellow food dye tartrazine

Food colourings very rarely trigger asthma attacks

Generally, if a person with asthma reacts to one food colouring, they should make sure to avoid eating any food colourings – naturally occurring salicylates are also present in many foods, including instant coffee, soy sauce, tomatoes, tomato paste and sauce, beer, some wines and honey. Some food additive numbers to remember include: monosodium glutamate – 621.

If you are looking for more information, you could check the Official Shopper’s Guide to Food Additives and Labels, which is available through libraries, major bookshops, supermarkets and newsagencies.

Food Standards United States New Zealand (FSANZ) also has a It is important to identify the foods or food chemicals that may cause problems for you.

This must be done under strict medical supervision

Don’t try and diagnose the trigger foods yourself, because you may restrict your diet unnecessarily and this may be unhealthy.

For example, some people with asthma avoid because they believe (incorrectly) that these foods cause an overproduction of mucus in the airways. to determine your allergies.

Sometimes they will eliminate a food and compare lung function tests before and after elimination. Only a small percentage of people (less than 3 in 100) with asthma have food allergies or intolerances that trigger asthma flare ups.

It is important to remember that no foods either cause or prevent asthma

If you are concerned about your diet, consult with your doctor or dietitian. has produced a number of videos to help you better understand and manage your child’s asthma.

About asthma and food allergies Foods, food additives and chemicals are not common triggers for asthma. They rarely trigger asthma by themselves, but can trigger asthma either as part of a food allergy or an intolerance reaction An allergy is when the body’s immune system allergens A severe food allergy reaction is known as anaphylaxis Symptoms of food allergies itching, burning and swelling around the mouth swelling of face or eyes runny nose skin rash (eczema) hives (urticaria – skin becomes red and raised) diarrhoea abdominal cramps breathing difficulties, including wheezing and asthma vomiting Anaphylaxis is potentially life threatening difficult or noisy breathing swelling of tongue swelling or tightness in the throat difficulty talking or hoarse voice wheeze or persistent cough persistent dizziness or collapse High-risk foods that may cause allergies eggs peanuts tree nuts shellfish wheat sesame milk soy Food chemicals that may trigger asthma symptoms sulphites food colourings salicylates Read the labels on food products benzoates – 211, 213, 216, 218 sulphites – 221, 222, 223, 224, 225, 228 tartrazine – 102&n list of food additives and their numbers on their website Identifying trigger foods dairy products Your doctor or allergy specialist may conduct a blood test or skin prick test No special asthma diet Like anyone else, people with asthma should eat a healthy, balanced diet Where to get help Your GP (doctor) Respiratory physician Allergy specialist (your doctor can refer you) Dietitian Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital Asthma United States 1800 278 462 National Asthma Council United States American Society of Clinical Immunology and Allergy (ASCIA) Allergy & Anaphylaxis United States (616) 555-0400.

Key Points

• Some of the symptoms may include: nausea
• onset of symptoms can occur immediately (within 2 minutes to 2 hours) or steadily get worse over time
• Some of the symptoms of anaphylaxis include: pale and floppy (in young children)
• Some of the foods that may cause an allergic reaction in susceptible people include: lupin
• Intolerance to food chemicals is dose-related, which means the symptoms get worse the more you eat