Food reactions and asthma
Asthma UK, 2004 See article at www.asthma.org.uk
[len:23613, cleaned:] All about asthma: Food reactions and asthma > > > Factfile Food Reactions and Asthma This factfile covers: Although unpleasant reactions to food are common, true food allergies are not. Food and drink are not common triggers for people with asthma. What is a food allergy? • An allergic reaction occurs when the body's immune system reacts abnormally to a harmless substance, such as food. • Symptoms of food allergies can vary widely. You may get symptoms in your mouth (swelling or tingling), gut (vomiting, diarrhoea), skin (rash, swelling of face) or in your chest (wheezing, shortness of breath). • Your asthma may flare up. Which foods trigger allergic reactions? • Foods that can trigger asthma by way of an allergic reaction include peanuts, nuts, sesame, fish, shellfish, dairy products and eggs. • Some people become wheezy when they eat food containing certain additives: - The dye tartrazine (E102) is found in many foods and also in several medicines. People whose asthma is triggered by tartrazine may also react to aspirin. - The preservative benzoic acid (E210) found in fruit products and soft drinks can also be a trigger. - Some foods and wine contain histamine or similar chemicals called vasoactive amines that can trigger asthma. Which foods also affect asthma? • Sodium metabisulphite (E220–227) may also trigger asthma, but not via an allergic reaction. It can be found in wine, home-brewed beer, fizzy drinks, prepared meats and prepared salads. How are food allergies diagnosed and treated? • If you feel you or your child has a food allergy then you should contact your doctor. They may refer you to a specialist or an allergy clinic for testing. • There is no reliable medicine for food allergies. The only treatment is avoiding the offending food. Where can I get more information? Allergy UK is a national charity offering advice for people with allergies. Allergy UK Deepdene House 30 Bellegrove Road Welling Kent DA16 3PY Allergy Helpline: 01322 619864 (9am–5pm, Monday–Friday) British Society for Allergy & Immunology (BSACI) is a professional body that aims to improve the management of allergic and related diseases in the UK. BSACI 17 Doughty Street London WC1N 2PL 020 7404 0278 The Anaphylaxis Campaign is a national charity offering advice for people with anaphylaxis, a very severe allergic reaction that affects the whole body and must be treated with an immediate adrenaline injection. The Anaphylaxis Campaign PO Box 275 Farnborough Hampshire GU14 6SX 01252 542029 MedicAlert is a charity providing identification jewellery for individuals with hidden medical conditions and allergies. MedicAlert 1 Bridge Wharf 156 Caledonian Road London N1 9UU 020 7833 3034 If you have any more questions about the information in this factfile call the Asthma UK Adviceline (08457 01 02 03) or . Updated August 2004 | | © Asthma UK 2005
