Food and Drink
Food allergy as an exacerbating factor for asthma is uncommon and occurs mainly in young children. Food avoidance should not be recommended until an allergy has been clearly demonstrated. When food allergy is demonstrated, the patient should be referred to a specialist in that area. Click here to watch "An Allergy Test" video
Most people with asthma do not have to follow a special diet. In some cases certain foods can make symptoms worse. The foods most commonly associated with food allergy are cow's milk, wheat, seafood, shellfish, eggs, soybeans and peanuts. These can also cause your face, tongue and mouth to swell. Milk allergy affecting asthma occurs in probably one out of 50 children under the age of two. In older children and adults it is less frequent, about one in 500 people. Often it is not the food or drink as much as the substances or additives in them e.g. preservatives and colouring.
What to do:
- If the reaction is severe, seek medical attention and talk to your doctor regarding the need of emergency medication e.g. adrenalin pen
- If you have an immediate reaction to a certain food, avoid it in future
- Check labels on all tinned and packaged food to make sure they are free from the substances you are allergic to
- If you want to try an additive-free diet, contact the Asthma Society for a list of commonly used additives
- If you wish to take something out of your child's diet, discuss it first with your doctor as it may be important and necessary for healthy growth
- Some people with asthma are very intolerant of foods containing salicylates, which is the main chemical in aspirin. Tomatoes, cucumbers and several fruits, especially kiwi fruit, contain salicylates .
- Do not stop dairy products for children under 14 without first consulting a doctor.
