Ask the allergist – If I have one allergy, am I more likely to have others?

Ask the allergist is a regular feature in our newsletters where Canadian allergists answer your questions!

Dr. Julia Upton is on staff at the Hospital for Sick Children in the Immunology and Allergy Department; and an Associate Professor in the Department of Paediatrics at the University of Toronto. She is the past Section Chair of the Anaphylaxis and Food Allergy Section of the Canadian Society of Allergy and Clinical Immunology. Dr. Upton is also a member of our Healthcare Advisory Board.

Please note: Dr. Upton is answering as an individual allergist and her answers do not constitute an official position of her affiliated organizations. Her responses are for informational purposes only and do not constitute specific medical advice, recommendations, diagnosis, or treatment. Please talk to your doctor about any concerns or questions you may have regarding your own health or the health of your child.

This month she answers a question about having a food allergy and the tendency for other allergic conditions.

If I have one allergy, am I more likely to have others?

People with one food allergy are more likely to have other allergies or atopic conditions like atopic dermatitis (eczema), allergic rhinitis (such as “hay fever” or environmental allergies to pollens, animals or other substances) or asthma.

Some individuals have multiple food allergies, for example, about one-third of people with a food allergy have other food allergies.

Drug allergy is not thought to be more common in people with other types of allergies.

Asthma is an important consideration in people with food allergy. Having uncontrolled asthma increases the risk for more severe allergic reactions to food. For those with both conditions, knowing the allergic and non-allergic triggers of asthma, like smoke or exercise, and keeping asthma well controlled is a key part of effective management.

To learn more

Managing multiple food allergies

Asthma

Eczema

Do you have a question you’d like to ask an allergist in the months to come? If so, send it along to us at info@foodallergycanada.ca. Please note: The allergists in this series answer questions on general topics, please talk to your doctor if you have questions about your own health or the health of your child.