Hello.

I was thinking of enrolling into culinary school in order to become a baker / pastry chef. The problem is, I have had chronic asthma since I was a kid, and I heard being exposed to flour all day can make you develop something called "Baker's Asthma".

Is a career in this field out of the question for people with asthma? Any feedback would be great.

AI have asthma and an egg allergy and I don't let it stop me! :D I am just a hobby baker, though.

Basically, you can take precautions. It's true that if you work in a bread bakery where people are slinging flour all day, it could absolutely affect your asthma, but you can also wear a mask. If you decide you want to work in a chocolaterie there would be fewer concerns:)

Only you can decide if baking as a career right for you. Take into consideration things like the severity of your disease, your ability to keep it controlled under 'normal' conditions and whether or not you would be comfortable wearing a mask all day.

I would also talk to my doctor. They know asthma, would be the ultimate authority in whether there is a risk or not.

Quote:

Originally Posted by howboutbake 

I have asthma and an egg allergy and I don't let it stop me! I am just a hobby baker, though.

Basically, you can take precautions. It's true that if you work in a bread bakery where people are slinging flour all day, it could absolutely affect your asthma, but you can also wear a mask. If you decide you want to work in a chocolaterie there would be fewer concerns:)

Only you can decide if baking as a career right for you. Take into consideration things like the severity of your disease, your ability to keep it controlled under 'normal' conditions and whether or not you would be comfortable wearing a mask all day.

I would also talk to my doctor. They know asthma, would be the ultimate authority in whether there is a risk or not.

Thanks for the reply. I'm glad/surprised your egg allergy doesn't interfere with your baking.

Anybody have any other feedback?

AGood morning! I am about to graduate culinary school with my degree in baking and pastries, and I have been working in bakeries for the last couple years. Like you, I have suffered from asthma all my life, when I was younger I took a steroid pill, a steroid inhaler, and used my nebuliser daily... Oh and my rescue inhaler didn't leave my side. I now practice meditative breathing and that has gotten me to a point where I even forget my inhaler sometimes! I digress, I do very well in the kitchen when it comes to my asthma. I tend to have trouble when I am airbrushing and forget to get out my face mask, but that seems to be the only time I really struggle. Just watch for your trigger while you are in the bake shop, if you find a trigger you can find a solution for it usually. Good luck! Remember to follow your dreams or they will vanish in front of you.