Food allergy

Both asthma and eczema are frequently associated with food allergy. Asthma is a risk factor for severe reaction to food. It is estimated that 6% of people with asthma have food-induced wheeze. Up to 60% of those with eczema have skin symptoms in reaction to food. Cow’s milk protein and eggs are often involved in eczema.

Correct diagnosis of food allergy is vital so that very restrictive diets are not followed needlessly. Diets that exclude food staples such as milk or eggs can lead to growth failure in infants if the diet is not planned with the help and advice of a dietitian. In addition to the fact that it is difficult to plan meals for children with these allergies, shopping for milk- or egg-free foods takes much longer than normal because all food labels have to be scrutinised for traces of the offending ingredient. There is a range of ‘free from’ foods and it is getting better all the time, but these foods are generally more expensive than regular products. Although it is common to see all three types of allergic disease in one patient, i.e. asthma, eczema and food allergy, it is not usual to see multi-food allergies. It is rare for more than three foods to be implicated in true food allergy in one person.