According to the Cleveland Clinic, sulfites are preservatives that are added to foods in order to maintain a fresh appearance. In addition, they’re used in making wine.

Interestingly, reactions to sulfites led the FDA to ban added sulfites in fresh fruits and vegetables in the mid 1980’s. However, sulfites can still be added to other foods. For example, it’s legal to put sulfites in processed potatoes. And they can even found in some asthma and allergy medications.

To avoid sulfites, it’s important to know what they’re called on labels. Common names for sulfites include: potassium bisulfite, sulfur dioxide, potassium metabisulfite, sodium bisulfite, sodium metabisulfite, and sodium sulfite. In addition, it’s helpful to know where sulfites can be found. For example, foods like shrimp and processed vegetables may contain sulfites. In addition, alcohol may contain these additives.

The second of these potential triggers is nuts. According to Asthma UK, nuts have been determined to be the most common trigger of allergic reactions when it comes to food. However, many people don’t even know that they’re allergic to nuts. This can be particularly confusing, especially for kids. Doctors can test for nut allergies, which may be an avenue to consider if you’re struggling to find the cause of asthma symptoms.    

Third, milk and dairy are common allergens-especially when it comes to children. In fact, the American College of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology reports that two to three percent of children under the age of three have a milk allergy. And one study concluded that less than a fifth of these children are allergy free by the time they turn four. That said, it is estimated that eighty percent of those affected no longer have allergies by the time they turn 16. 

If you suspect a dairy allergy, see an allergy specialist. To determine whether one is allergic to milk, healthcare professionals can administer a skin-prick test to see how the skin responds to stimuli.