Children with asthma may have undiagnosed peanut allergy

It is a well-established fact that allergies to food are on the rise. We only have to take a look at the way foods are now labelled to see that times have changed. According to the organization FARE, (Food, Allergy, Research and Education), 15 million Americans suffer from some sort of food allergy and 1 in 13 children are affected, which translates to around 2 children per classroom. Which is why the results of the latest research from Ohio are so remarkable.

The research team has found that a significant number of children with asthma may also have a peanut allergy, without even realizing, as symptoms are often so similar.

The research, carried out at the Mercy Children’s Hospital in Ohio found that of the 1500 children studied, 1 in 10 of the children had an allergy to peanuts but the majority of them were not aware of it. Any adverse effects such as coughing, wheezing and shortness of breath were thought to be asthma symptoms, when in fact they could have been a reaction to certain foods.

Experts are quick to point out that food allergies are notoriously difficult to measure. Often people test positive for a food allergy but can continue to eat the food without suffering an allergic reaction. However they are asking parents and doctors to be extra vigilant. If children are seen to be having problems with breathing, despite following an asthma treatment plan, it may be worth having a test for food allergies.

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