Egg allergy

Description

Eggs are one of the most common allergy-causing foods for children.

Egg allergy symptoms usually occur a few minutes to a few hours after eating eggs or foods containing eggs. The signs and symptoms vary from mild to severe and can include skin rashes, hives, nasal congestion, vomiting or other digestive problems. Rarely, egg allergy can cause anaphylaxis — a life-threatening reaction.

Egg allergy can occur as early as infancy. Most of the children, but not all, outgrow their egg allergy before adolescence.

Symptoms

Egg allergy reactions vary from person to person and, generally, occur shortly after exposure to egg. Egg allergy symptoms can include:

  • Inflammation of the skin or hives — the most common egg allergy reaction
  • Nasal congestion, runny nose and sneezing (allergic rhinitis)
  • Digestive symptoms, such as cramping, nausea, and vomiting
  • Asthma signs and symptoms such as coughing, wheezing, chest tightness, or shortness of breath

Anaphylaxis

A severe allergic reaction can lead to anaphylaxis, a life-threatening emergency that requires an immediate epinephrine (adrenaline) shot and a trip to the emergency room. Anaphylaxis signs and symptoms include:

  • The constriction of the airways, including swelling of the throat or a lump in the throat that makes breathing difficult
  • Abdominal pain and cramps
  • Rapid pulse
  • Shock, with a severe drop in blood pressure felt like dizziness, lightheadedness or loss of consciousness

Talk with your doctor about any reaction — no matter how slight — you or your child has eggs. The severity of egg allergy reactions can vary each time that occurs, so even if a past reaction was mild, the next one could be more serious.

If your doctor thinks that you or your child may be at risk of a severe reaction, he or she may prescribe an emergency epinephrine shot to use in case of anaphylaxis occurs. The vaccine is presented in a device that makes it easy to deliver, called an injector.

When to see a doctor

Consult a doctor if you or your child has signs or symptoms of an allergy to the food shortly after eating eggs or an egg that contains the product. If possible, see your doctor when the allergic reaction is occurring. This can help make a diagnosis.

If you or your child has signs and symptoms of anaphylaxis, seek immediate emergency treatment and the use of an injector, if you have been prescribed.

Causes

A reaction of the immune system causes food allergies. For egg allergy, the immune system mistakenly identifies certain egg proteins as harmful. When you or your child comes in contact with the proteins of the egg, the cells of the immune system (antibodies) recognize and signal the immune system to release histamine and other chemicals that cause allergy signs and symptoms.

Both the egg yolks and the egg whites contain proteins that can cause allergies, but allergy to egg is the most common. It is possible that breast-fed babies have an allergic reaction to egg protein in breast milk, if the mother consumes eggs.

Risk factors

Certain factors may increase the risk of developing egg allergy:

  • Atopic dermatitis. Children with this type of reaction on the skin are much more likely to develop a food allergy than children who did not have skin problems.
  • The history of the family. You are at greater risk of a food allergy if one or both of your parents have asthma, food allergy or other types of allergies, such as hay fever, hives or eczema.
  • Age. Egg allergy is more common in children. With age, your digestive system matures and allergic food reactions are less likely to occur.

Complications

The majority of the most significant complications of egg allergy is a severe allergic reaction that requires an injection of epinephrine and emergency treatment.

The same reaction of the immune system that causes egg allergy can also cause other conditions. If you or your child has an allergy to egg, you or your child may be at increased risk of:

  • Allergies to other foods, such as milk, soy or peanuts
  • Allergies to pet dander, dust mites or grass pollen
  • Allergic reactions of the skin such as atopic dermatitis
  • Asthma, which in turn increases the risk of having a severe allergic reaction to eggs or other foods

Prevention

Here are some things you can do to avoid an allergic reaction, and to prevent it from getting worse if one does occur.

  • Read food labels carefully. Some people react to food with only traces of egg.
  • Be wary of eating. Your server, or even the cook can not be completely sure whether a food contains egg proteins.
  • Wear an allergy bracelet or necklace. This can be especially important if you or your child has a serious reaction and can't say to caregivers, or other people what is going on.
  • Let your child's caregivers to know about your allergy to egg. Talk with your child babysitters, teachers, family members, or other caregivers about the egg allergy so you don't accidentally give your child the egg-containing products. Make sure that you understand what to do in case of an emergency.
  • If you are breastfeeding, avoid eggs. If your child has an allergy to egg, he or she can react with proteins to pass through your milk.

Hidden sources of egg products

Unfortunately, even if a food is labeled egg-free may still contain some egg proteins. In case of doubt, please contact the manufacturer.

Egg-containing foods may include:

  • Marshmallows
  • Mayonnaise
  • Merengue
  • Baked goods
  • Milanese food
  • Marzipan
  • Frostings
  • Processed meat, meatloaf and meatballs
  • Puddings and custards
  • Salad dressing
  • Many pasta
  • The foam on the graduation of the special coffees
  • Pretzels

Several terms that indicate that the egg products have been used in the manufacture of processed foods, including:

  • Albumin
  • Globulin
  • Lecithin
  • Livetin
  • Lysozyme
  • Vitellin
  • Words starting with "ova" or "ovo", such as ovalbumin or ovoglobulin

Another potential source of exposure is cross-contamination in the home prepared meals, or meals, especially when you are eating in other people's homes where they may not be aware of the risk.

The vaccine and egg allergy

Some of the vaccines to prevent the disease (vaccines) contain egg proteins. In some people, these vaccines represent a risk of triggering an allergic reaction.

  • The measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccines are generally safe for children with egg allergy, even despite the fact that eggs are used to produce them.
  • The flu (influenza) vaccines sometimes contain small amounts of egg proteins. However, a flu vaccine that does not contain these proteins is approved for use in adults 18 years of age and older. And even vaccines that do have egg proteins can be given safely to most people with egg allergy without any problems. If you or your child has had a reaction to eggs in the past, talk with your doctor before getting a flu vaccine.
  • Yellow fever vaccine can cause an allergic reaction in some people who have egg allergy. It is given to the travelers who come to countries where there is a risk of getting yellow fever. That is generally not recommended for people with egg allergies, but sometimes it is administered under medical supervision after the test for a reaction.
  • Other vaccines are generally not dangerous to people who have egg allergy. But ask your doctor, just to be safe. If your doctor is concerned about a vaccine, he or she may test you or your child to see if it is likely to cause a reaction.

Egg allergy

Diagnosis

To diagnose egg allergy, your doctor will use several methods, including ruling out other conditions that could be causing the symptoms. In many cases, what appears to be egg allergy is actually caused by a food intolerance, which in general is less severe than a food allergy and does not involve the immune system.

Your doctor will take a medical history and perform a physical examination. He or she may also recommend one or more of the following tests:

  • Skin test. In this test, the skin is pricked and exposed to small amounts of the proteins found in eggs. If you or your child has an allergy to egg, a raised bump (hive) may develop at the site of the test. Allergy specialists are generally better equipped to perform and interpret the tests of allergy on the skin.
  • Blood test. A blood test can measure your immune system's response to the eggs by checking the amount of certain antibodies in the blood that may indicate an allergic reaction.
  • Food challenge. This test is to give you or your child a small amount of egg to see if it causes a reaction. If nothing happens, the more that the egg is given, while the doctor watches for signs of a food allergy. Because this test can cause a severe reaction, an allergy specialist should give.
  • Food tracking or elimination diet. You or your child's doctor may have to keep a detailed journal of food consumed and can be done to remove the eggs or other foods from the diet one at a time to see if symptoms improve.

Treatment

The only way to prevent the symptoms of egg allergy is to avoid eggs or egg products. Some people with egg allergies, however, can tolerate foods that contain well-cooked eggs, such as baked goods.

Antihistamines to relieve the symptoms

Medications such as antihistamines may reduce signs and symptoms of a mild egg allergy. These medications can be taken after exposure to eggs. They are not effective for the prevention of anaphylactic egg reaction or for the treatment of a severe reaction.

Emergency epinephrine shots

You may need to carry an emergency injector of epinephrine (EpiPen, Auvi-Q, others) at all times. Anaphylaxis requires an injection of epinephrine, a trip to the emergency room and observation for a time, to make sure the symptoms don't return.

Learn how to use the injector. If your child has one, make sure that caregivers have access to it and know how to use it. If your child is old enough, make sure he or she understands how to use it. Replace the injector prior to its expiration date.

Most of the children eventually overcome the allergy to egg. Talk with your child's doctor about the frequency of testing to see if the eggs to cause symptoms. It can be dangerous for you to test your child's reaction to the eggs in the house, especially if your child has had a severe reaction to eggs in the past.

Preparing for your appointment

It is likely to start by seeing your family doctor or pediatrician. You may be referred to a doctor who specializes in allergic disorders (allergist-immunologist). Here's some information to help you prepare for your appointment.

What you can do

  • Be aware of pre-appointment restrictions. When you make the appointment, ask if there is something that you need to do beforehand. For example, if you are going to have the allergy test, the doctor will want you to avoid taking antihistamines for a time before the test.
  • Write down your symptoms, including any that may seem unrelated to the reason for which you scheduled the appointment.
  • Make a list of the medicines, vitamins, and supplements that you or your child is taking.
  • Write down questions to ask the doctor.

For egg allergy, some basic questions to ask the doctor include:

  • What tests are needed? Do not require special preparation?
  • Is this reaction most likely is caused by allergy to egg?
  • What other conditions can be the cause of these symptoms?
  • Will my child or I need to avoid the eggs, or certain egg products OK?
  • Where can I find information about the foods most likely to contain eggs?
  • What should I tell my child's school about your allergy?
  • I or my child have other health conditions. How can I best manage these conditions?
  • Do I or my child need to carry an injector?
  • Are there brochures or other printed material that I can take? What sites do you recommend?

Do not hesitate to ask other questions.

What to expect from your doctor

The doctor is likely to ask questions such as:

  • When was your first reaction to eating eggs?
  • Can you describe the reaction?
  • This happens every time you or your child eat eggs or anything made with eggs?
  • How soon after the onset of symptoms after eating eggs or products containing eggs?
  • How severe are the symptoms?
  • Nothing seems to improve symptoms, such as taking medication for allergy or avoid certain foods?
  • What, if anything, appears to worsen your symptoms?
  • Is there anyone in the family allergic to eggs or other foods?
  • Do you or your child have other allergic conditions, such as eczema, hay fever or asthma?

What you can do in the meantime

If you or your child has a mild allergy symptoms after eating something containing eggs, taking an antihistamine can help relieve the discomfort. But be on the lookout for the worsening of the symptoms that may require medical attention. If you or your child has a severe reaction, seek medical attention immediately. Call 911 or the local emergency number.

Symptoms and treatment of Egg allergy