People who have food allergies and asthma are at increased risk of life-threatening allergic reactions (anaphylaxis). When anaphylaxis sets off respiratory symptoms, it’s easy for patients to assume they are having an asthma attack rather than an allergic reaction. But asthma medications will not halt anaphylaxis. Auto-injectable epinephrine will – and it will also stop an asthma attack. When in doubt, this article says, people with asthma and food allergies should use epinephrine instead of asthma inhalers.
