Hot dog vapor-induced status asthmaticus

Background: Asthma induced by the inhalation of food vapors is unusual and indicative of extreme allergy. Identification of the specific cause and subsequent avoidance is essential. Methods: We report a patient with asthma who had status asthmaticus following inhalation of boiling hot dog vapors. Prick skin tests were performed to various ingredients of the offending hot dog including chicken, pork, potato, and the aeroallergens. Results: Prick skin tests reacted strongly to chicken and mildly to pork and potato. There was no reaction to aeroallergens. Our patient has not had any acute asthma after avoiding eating and exposure to chicken and hot dog vapors. Conclusions: Exquisite allergy to chicken was responsible for acute asthma.