Egg Allergy

Eggs are a common food that can trigger allergies in children.

If a child has an egg allergy, they might notice symptoms within a few minutes or a few hours after eating something with eggs in it. These symptoms can range from mild to very serious. Mild symptoms could include skin rashes, like welts or hives. More noticeable symptoms might include stuffiness or runny noses, or problems with their stomach, like vomiting or diarrhea. In rare cases, a serious reaction called anaphylaxis can happen. Anaphylaxis is a very dangerous reaction that needs immediate medical attention.

Sometimes, a child can have an egg allergy from a very young age. Many children grow out of egg allergies before they become teenagers, but not all of them do.

People react differently to egg allergies, but most reactions happen soon after eating eggs. Common signs of an egg allergy include:

• Skin problems: One of the most frequent reactions is skin inflammation, often appearing as hives (itchy, raised welts).
• Breathing issues: A reaction can also affect breathing. This might show up as a stuffy nose, a runny nose, and sneezing (like hay fever). In more serious cases, it can lead to asthma symptoms like coughing, wheezing, tightness in the chest, or trouble breathing.
• Stomach problems: Egg allergies can also cause digestive issues. These might include stomach cramps, feeling sick to your stomach (nausea), or vomiting.

These symptoms can range from mild discomfort to serious health problems. If you think you or someone you know might have an egg allergy, it's important to talk to a doctor.

If you or your child have any signs of a food allergy after eating eggs or foods with eggs in them, see a doctor right away. Going to the doctor while the reaction is happening might help the doctor figure out what's going on.

If you or your child are having a severe allergic reaction (called anaphylaxis), get emergency help immediately. If you have an autoinjector (like an EpiPen), use it as directed.

Food allergies happen when your immune system overreacts. Your immune system is like a security guard, protecting your body from things it sees as harmful. In a food allergy, this guard mistakenly identifies certain proteins in food as dangerous invaders.

For example, with an egg allergy, the immune system identifies proteins in eggs as threats. When someone with an egg allergy eats eggs, or even comes into contact with egg proteins, their immune system cells, called antibodies, recognize these proteins. This triggers the immune system to release chemicals like histamine. These chemicals cause the allergy symptoms you experience, such as itching, hives, swelling, or difficulty breathing.

Both the yolk and the white of an egg can contain proteins that cause allergies. However, an allergy to the egg white is more common. It's important to remember that even if a mother is breastfeeding, if she eats eggs, the proteins from the eggs can pass into her breast milk, potentially causing an allergic reaction in the baby.

Several things can make you more likely to have an egg allergy.

• Skin problems: If you have a skin condition like atopic dermatitis (a type of eczema), you have a higher chance of developing a food allergy, including an egg allergy, than someone without skin problems. Atopic dermatitis is a condition that causes itchy, inflamed skin.

• Family history: If one or both of your parents have allergies like asthma, other food allergies, hay fever, hives, or eczema, you might be more likely to have a food allergy yourself, including an egg allergy. This is because allergies can run in families.

• Age: Egg allergies are most often seen in young children. As children grow older, their digestive systems mature. This means they are less likely to have allergic reactions to foods like eggs. This doesn't mean that adults can't develop egg allergies, but they are less common in adults.

A serious problem for people with egg allergies is the possibility of a very strong allergic reaction. This reaction needs a shot of epinephrine (adrenaline) and immediate medical help at a hospital or doctor's office.

People with egg allergies might also have a higher chance of developing other allergic conditions. This is because the same part of the body's immune system that reacts to eggs can also react to other things. If you or your child has an egg allergy, you might be more likely to also have:

• Allergies to other foods: This could include common foods like milk, soy, or peanuts.
• Allergies to things in the environment: This could be pet fur (dander), tiny creatures in dust (dust mites), or pollen from grass.
• Skin problems like eczema (atopic dermatitis): This is a type of rash that can be itchy and uncomfortable.
• Asthma: Asthma makes breathing difficult and can increase the risk of a severe allergic reaction to eggs or other foods. This is because asthma can make the body more susceptible to inflammation and reactions.

To prevent egg allergies from happening or getting worse, here are some helpful tips:

Be careful about what you eat: Always check food labels. Even a tiny bit of egg can trigger a reaction in some people. This is important to know, especially for those prone to egg allergies.

Dining out? Be extra mindful: When eating out, double-check with your server or the kitchen staff about potential egg ingredients. They might not always know if a dish contains even a small amount of egg.

Wear an allergy alert: A bracelet or necklace with your allergy information can be crucial. If you or your child has a serious reaction and can't communicate, this can help those around you understand the situation.

Communicate with caregivers: Talk to babysitters, teachers, relatives, and anyone else who might care for your child about their egg allergy. Explain the symptoms and what to do in an emergency. This way, they know how to react if your child has a reaction.

Breastfeeding considerations: If you're breastfeeding and your child has an egg allergy, it's best to avoid eggs. Proteins from the egg could be passed through your milk and cause a reaction in your baby.

Diagnosing an egg allergy involves several steps to ensure an accurate diagnosis. Doctors first rule out other possible causes of symptoms. Sometimes, what seems like an egg allergy might actually be a food intolerance. Food intolerance isn't as serious as a food allergy and doesn't trigger the body's immune system.

To figure out if you or your child has an egg allergy, the doctor will do a few things:

1. Medical History and Physical Exam: The doctor will ask about your or your child's health history and do a physical check-up. This helps rule out other potential issues.

2. Allergy Tests: Several tests can help determine if an allergy is present.

   • Skin Prick Test: A small amount of egg protein is placed on the skin. If you have an egg allergy, a raised, itchy bump (hives) will likely appear at the spot where the protein was placed. This test is usually best performed and interpreted by an allergist (a doctor specializing in allergies).

   • Blood Test: The doctor can check your blood for specific antibodies that show how your immune system reacts to eggs. Higher levels of these antibodies may indicate an allergy.

   • Food Challenge: This test involves gradually introducing small amounts of egg while the doctor closely monitors you or your child for any allergic reaction. This test must be performed by an allergist because a severe reaction is possible.

   • Food Diary and Elimination Diet: Your doctor might ask you to keep a detailed record of what you or your child eat. You may also need to temporarily remove eggs (or other foods) from your diet to see if symptoms improve. This helps pinpoint which food might be causing the problem.

These steps help doctors distinguish between an egg allergy, a food intolerance, or another medical condition. This accurate diagnosis is crucial for managing and avoiding potential health risks.

The best way to manage egg allergies is to avoid eating eggs and foods containing eggs. While some people with egg allergies can sometimes tolerate well-cooked eggs in baked goods, this isn't a guarantee.

If you have a mild egg allergy, taking antihistamines can help reduce symptoms after you've been exposed to eggs. However, antihistamines won't prevent a severe allergic reaction (called anaphylaxis) or treat it if it happens.

For severe egg allergies, it's crucial to carry an emergency epinephrine auto-injector (like an EpiPen or Auvi-Q) at all times. If you have an anaphylactic reaction, you need an immediate epinephrine shot, followed by a visit to the emergency room and close observation to make sure symptoms don't return.

It's essential to learn how to use your epinephrine auto-injector correctly. If you have a child with an egg allergy, ensure caregivers know how to use it too, and if your child is old enough, teach them how to use it. Never use an expired auto-injector.

Many children eventually grow out of egg allergies. Talk to your doctor about allergy testing to see if your child's allergy has lessened over time. Do not try to test your child at home for egg allergies, especially if they've had a severe reaction in the past. Testing should only be done under the supervision of a medical professional. Home testing is extremely dangerous and could lead to serious health complications.