Food hypersensitivity among asthmatic children – single center experience

Background The prevalence of asthma in children has increased in the last decades. One of the risk factors is sensitization to aeroallergens and food allergens, which contribute to severity of asthma and the problematic asthma that are not responding well to therapy. Children with food allergy noticed to have increased bronchial hyperreactivity (BHR) independent of respiratory symptoms. Asthma is an uncommon manifestation of food allergy which is usually seen with other food-induced symptoms. Vapors or steam emitted from cooking food may induce asthmatic reactions. Food-induced asthmatic symptoms should be suspected in patients with refractory asthma, history of atopic dermatitis, gastroesophageal reflux, food allergy or feeding problems as an infant, or history of positive skin tests or reactions to food.