Have you noticed that your breathing becomes more difficult after eating specific foods? If milk, eggs, peanuts, tree nuts and other foods are exacerbating your asthma symptoms, you could benefit from a reliable food allergy treatment. But before making any dietary changes, it’s good practice to understand the link between food allergies and asthma symptoms. By recognizing how food allergies trigger asthma, you can start to breathe easier.
What Happens When a Food Allergy Triggers Asthma
While food allergies don’t directly cause asthma, they can trigger asthma symptoms in people whose airways are already sensitive. Here’s how the connection between the two conditions works.
Why Food Allergies Can Bring On Asthma Symptoms
Food allergies occur when the immune system incorrectly identifies proteins in certain foods to be a threat. During a reaction the body releases histamine and other chemicals that cause inflammation. Along with inflammation of the skin and gastrointestinal tract, the respiratory system can experience swelling and tightness that causes coughing, wheezing and difficulty breathing.
People with asthma already have sensitive airways, making them more vulnerable to food-triggered reactions. Even a mild allergic response can quickly inflame the airways and cause severe shortness of breath. For this reason, identifying and avoiding food triggers is critical for asthma management.
Common Foods That Can Trigger Asthma
Allergy specialists help manage severe food allergies by diagnosing the food responsible for the reaction. The most common food allergens are peanuts, tree nuts, milk, eggs, fish, shellfish, wheat and soy. Reactions can happen from directly eating these foods, cross-reactivity or even breathing in airborne particles during cooking. To reduce the risk of triggering asthma symptoms, allergists will test for one or more foods that cause your immune system to react.
Recognizing Asthma Symptoms and Managing Reactions
Identifying the link between severe asthma symptoms and an allergic reaction won’t always be easy. While reactions often occur within minutes of eating, they can even take several hours to develop. You could also react to an ingredient within a dish that can’t be easily narrowed down without allergy testing. Keeping a food diary is a valuable strategy, recording any symptoms you experience, such as wheezing, coughing, chest tightness, shortness of breath, swelling of lips, tongue or throat, hives or stomach issues.
Asthma and Food Allergy Prevention Steps
If you experience asthma symptoms related to a food allergy, it’s important to avoid contact with the food until you’ve visited an allergist. Your allergist may recommend food allergy testing and an asthma evaluation to assess the sensitivity of your airways. This information can then guide a comprehensive asthma care plan and treatment for the food allergy.
Top Treatment for Food Allergies and Asthma in Atlanta
At Chacko Allergy, Asthma and Sinus Center, our allergists assist patients of all ages with comprehensive testing and treatment. For help preventing asthma symptoms and managing a food allergy, visit one of our Atlanta-area treatment centers. Call (678) 668-4688 or request an appointment.
