Respiratory Allergy in Children Due to Foods with 7 Tables

Asthma is one of the most common respiratory manifestations in children and sometimes is provoked by food allergens with two mechanisms: ingestion or inhalation Clinical evidence acquired in recent years shows that the role of foods in asthma is far from being clear, while food allergy (FA) is well known as one of the leading causes of atopic disease. FA-induced manifestations range from urticaria, abdominal pain and anaphylaxis, but above all FA can trigger atopic dermatitis (AD). It may be speculated that, as in AD, food allergens could induce a cutaneous hyperreactivity comparable to the bronchial hyperreactivity (BHR) reported in allergic children with asthma. Eosinophils, as in asthma, seem to have a major role in inducing and maintaining skin lesions. These observations suggest that the characteristic AD chronic skin lesions can be initiated, amplified and perpetuated by immunologic and non immunologic factors acting in various ways and at different levels, thus starting a vicious circle, resulting in different, though synergistic, reactions. Studies have suggested a possible link between inflammatory mediators and food-induced asthma, that can be distinguished from asthma with FA. Nonspecific stimuli can have a role in triggering and worsening skin lesions, however they may play a first part in the induction of BHR. Epidemiologic studies should investigate both facets of the problem, such as asthma with FA and food-induced asthma in children. Personal data on the prevalence of respiratory symptoms in children with FA will be analyzed. We suggest considering in young children food as one of causes of asthma.