Need to Know
- Foods such as eggs, milk, peanuts, and shellfish can cause allergic reactions. Some reactions may include coughing, wheezing, or trouble breathing.
- Preservatives called sulfites, found in some dried fruits, wines, and pickled foods, may trigger asthma symptoms in some people. Check food labels if sulfites affect you.
- If you have asthma and a serious food allergy, carry epinephrine if your doctor prescribes it. Ask your doctor how to avoid triggers and what to do during an emergency.
This summary was created using several editorial tools, including AI, as part of the process. Human editors reviewed this content before publication.
Foods To Avoid With Asthma
Foods rarely trigger an asthma attack. But the symptoms of a severe allergic reaction to some foods can mimic asthma symptoms. The first step is to know if you have a food allergy. Any abnormal reaction to a food is considered an adverse reaction. Adverse reactions can either be:
- Food allergy: When your immune system reacts to proteins in foods that usually are safe or harmless. Your doctor can do skin tests to find out if you’re sensitive to certain foods.
- Food intolerance: When your body responds to the food, not your immune system. Examples include food poisoning, reactions to chemicals in food or drinks such as caffeine, or reflux.
The most common foods associated with allergic symptoms are:
Food Preservatives and Asthma
Food preservatives can also trigger an asthma attack. Additives, such as sodium bisulfite, potassium bisulfite, sodium metabisulfite, potassium metabisulfite, and sodium sulfite, are commonly used in food processing or preparation and can be found in foods such as:
- Dried fruits or vegetables
- Potatoes (packaged and some prepared)
- Wine and beer
- Bottled lime or lemon juice
- Shrimp (fresh, frozen, or prepared)
- Pickled foods
Symptoms of Food Allergies and Asthma
For most people, the usual symptoms of food allergies are hives, rash, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. If you have food allergies that trigger symptoms of an asthma attack, you will likely have these allergy symptoms, followed by coughing and wheezing. And if not caught quickly, anaphylaxis -- swelling of the throat, cutting off your airway -- may result.
If you suspect certain foods are asthma triggers for you, talk to your doctor. They can give you allergy skin tests to find out if you’re allergic to these foods.
What Should I Do if I Have Food Allergies and Asthma?
There are simple ways to say safe:
- Avoid the food trigger. Try not to come into contact with the food you’re allergic to. Always read labels and ask how foods are prepared when you eat out.
- Consider allergy shots. They can train your immune system to not overreact. The doctors will give you allergy shots (immunotherapy) -- a small amount of the substance that causes your allergy. After repeated shots over a period of time, your immune system eventually stops causing the allergic reaction. Ask your doctor if you’re a candidate for allergy shots. Sublingual immunotherapy (SLIT) is an alternative to allergy shots. You let the medicine dissolve under your tongue instead of getting a shot.
- Keep epinephrine with you. If your allergies are severe, you should keep two doses of epinephrine with you that are always easy to get to. If you have any sign of anaphylaxis, don’t hesitate to use your epinephrine auto-injector (Adrenaclick, Auvi-Q, EpiPen, Symjepi) or nasal spray (Neffy), even if you aren’t sure your symptoms are allergy-related. Using epinephrine as a precaution won’t hurt you and might save you. If your symptoms don't go away quickly and completely, or if you don't have a second dose on hand, call 911 right away.
Children With Food Allergies and Asthma
Children who have both asthma and food allergies are more likely to have both near-fatal or fatal allergic reactions to food and severe asthma, particularly if the asthma isn’t well-controlled. Food allergies can make persistent asthma more likely in young children.
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