Common respiratory manifestations of food allergy: a critical focus on otitis media.

Previous investigations have established the pathogenic role of food allergy in respiratory tract symptoms, which rarely occur in isolation. Specific foods have been implicated in these reactions. The role of food allergy in otitis media is controversial, probably uncommon, and further studies are needed. Food-induced asthma is more common in young pediatric patients, especially those with atopic dermatitis. Asthma induced by food allergy is considered a risk factor for fatal and near-fatal anaphylactic reactions. Moreover, food allergy can elicit airway hyperreactivity and asthmatic responses. Therefore, evaluation for food allergy should be considered among patients with recalcitrant or otherwise unexplained acute severe asthma exacerbations; asthma triggered by ingestion of particular foods; and asthma and other manifestations of food allergy (eg, anaphylaxis, moderate to severe atopic dermatitis).