Asthma and Food Allergies

Abstract

There is a close association between various atopic diseases and it is well known that having one atopic disease can increase the risk of further atopy later in life. Research has shown that the development of food allergy in infancy can predispose individuals to the development of respiratory symptoms and subsequent asthma later in childhood. There is also evidence that shows early atopic conditions can be outgrown but may still influence the development of other atopic conditions, such as asthma, in the future. The exact mechanism of how this occurs is not yet fully understood, but the clinical implications for children with both diseases are important because not only are they at greater risk of more severe asthmatic episodes, but also of having respiratory symptoms in food-induced anaphylaxis. This narrative review looks at the relationship between food allergy and asthma and how they are linked to one another. It will also focus on the clinical implications associated with the two atopic conditions and the effect they may have on clinical practice.