TREE NUTS, EGGS AND ASTHMA- STRONG LINK ? # 22

   A recent study conducted in Massachusetts reported that almost half the children in the study with food allergies also had asthma. When various foods were tested, children allergic to tree nuts ( including almonds, cashew, hazelnut, pecan, pistachio and walnuts) and eggs showed a more significant degree of asthma than those allergic to other foods like dairy, peanuts, sesame seeds and seafood.  Though allergies to peanut and daily were commonly reported, their link to asthma was not as significant than tree nuts and eggs.

   The link between food allergies and asthma has long been known. This study looked at specific foods and showed that some foods have a higher likelihood to cause asthma than others. The study also reported that children usually show allergies to milk, eggs, wheat and peanuts while adults show primarily peanuts, tree nuts and seafood.

   The authors state that these findings, though warranting more extensive study, suggest that physicians should suspect asthma in children allergic to tree nuts and eggs.


Gaffin JM, et al. Tree Nut Allergy, Egg Allergy and Asthma in Children
Clin Pediatr 2011 50:133-139