Question:
Can food allergies cause asthma? I'm asking because my nephew
(3 yrs old) has bad asthma. We know he has a peanut allergy,
but wonder whether certain food allergies could trigger an
asthma reaction. So far the child's doctor just gives
antibiotics..
Answer:
A web page on Food Allergy is located at
http://www.njc.org/MSU/10n7MSU_Food_Allergy.html It contains a detailed
discusion of food allergies and Allergy vs Adverse Reaction.
Most children outgrow food allergies after age 3. Certain food allergies
last a lifetime, including peanut allergy.Peanut and shrimp allergy can
be very severe and result in anaphylaxis. The data base at this site is
searchable. Information from NJC in Denver is available by phone at
800-222-LUNG.
See also http://www.njc.org/MSU/10n7msu_peanut_allergy.html a web page
on Peanut Allergy. A web page on Pediatric Respiratory Disease is
http://www.njc.org/MSU/10n9MSU_Ped_Resp_Dis.html I would think if the child has been diagnosed with asthma he would be
receiving asthma medications like a beta agonist. Antibiotics would
normally be used for a bacterial infection. There is a good book on
childhood asthma by Dr. Plaut for $10, see http://www.pedipress.com/ to
order or call 1-800-611-6081 to order 'Children with Asthma: A Manual
for Parents'
