• What is an egg allergy?

  

  What is an egg allergy?

  Egg allergy is one of the most common types of food
  allergies among children in the United States, according to Food Allergy Research &
  Education (FARE). If your child has an egg allergy, their
  immune system mistakenly identifies proteins found in egg as harmful. When your
  child eats the egg protein, their immune system responds by releasing histamine
  and other chemicals. This triggers an allergic reaction, which can involve
  potentially life-threatening symptoms.

• Who can develop an egg allergy?

  

  Who can develop an egg allergy?

  Anyone can develop an egg allergy, but some people have
  a higher chance than others. Risk factors include: 

  • Age: Egg allergy most commonly affects children. According to
    the American College of Asthma, Allergy & Immunology (ACAAI), as many as 2 percent of American kids have egg
    allergy. But most of them outgrow it by age 16.
  • Skin conditions: If your child has certain skin
    conditions, especially eczema, they’re more likely to develop food allergies.
  • Genetics: If one or both parents has a food allergy, a child is
    more likely to develop food allergies too. A family history of other
    allergic conditions, such as seasonal allergies, can also raises your
    child’s risk.

• What part of the egg causes reactions?

  What part of the egg causes reactions?

  People with egg allergy are
  usually reacting to a protein found in egg whites, known as albumen. They can
  also be allergic to protein found in egg yolks. If your child has an egg
  allergy, their doctor will likely advise that eggs be avoided entirely. Completely
  separating egg whites and egg yolks can be difficult.

• Minor symptoms of an allergic reaction

  Minor symptoms of an allergic reaction

  The symptoms of an allergic
  reaction can vary from person to person. The types of reactions can vary as
  well. A reaction can appear as quickly as a few minutes after your child
  consumes egg and can range from mild to severe.

  Hives are often one of the first signs of an
  allergic reaction. They are red swollen patches that may appear on your child’s
  face or other parts of their body after they eat egg. Other mild allergic
  symptoms include:

  • nasal congestion
  • coughing or tight chest
  • cramps, nausea, and sometimes
    vomiting

• Severe symptoms of an allergic reaction

  Severe symptoms of an allergic reaction

  In some cases, your child may
  experience a severe allergic reaction to egg. This is called anaphylaxis. This
  type of reaction can develop quickly and affect multiple body systems at once.
  In addition to milder symptoms, anaphylaxis can involve potentially
  life-threatening symptoms, such as:

  • swelling of your child’s tongue and lips
  • constriction of your child’s throat
  • difficulty breathing
  • dizziness
  • rapid drop in blood pressure
  • loss of consciousness 

  It’s important to treat anaphylaxis immediately with
  an injected dose of epinephrine. 

• How can you prevent an allergic reaction?

  How can you prevent an allergic reaction?

  If your child has an egg allergy,
  the only way to prevent an allergic reaction is to avoid eating or coming in
  contact with egg. Help them learn how to check food and beverage labels for egg
  and egg protein. Sometimes egg protein is listed under other names, such as:

  • vitellin
  • simplesse
  • lysozyme
  • livetin
  • lecithin
  • globulin
  • albumin or albumen
  • words starting with “ova” or “ovo,” the prefix
    for ovum, which is Latin for egg

  Help your child avoid products that include or may
  contain any of these ingredients.

• Watch out for unexpected sources!

  Watch out for unexpected sources!

  Egg can appear in many types of
  food and drink, often in unexpected places. In addition to many baked goods, such
  as cookies and cakes, egg can be found in:

  • pasta
  • salad dressing
  • mayonnaise
  • meatloaf and meatballs
  • pudding
  • marshmallows
  • cake frosting
  • specialty drinks

  If you’re not sure if a product contains egg or egg
  protein, contact the manufacturer.

• How can you treat an allergic reaction?

  How can you treat an allergic reaction?

  If your child has been diagnosed
  with an egg allergy, their doctor will likely refer them to an allergist. The specialist
  can help you and your child learn how to avoid egg and treat an allergic
  reaction.

  To treat a mild allergic reaction, your child’s allergist
  may recommend antihistamines. To treat a severe allergic reaction, your child
  may need a dose of epinephrine. This medication will help reduce swelling,
  stimulate your child’s heart, increase their blood pressure, and improve their
  breathing. It’s important to give epinephrine at the first sign of an allergic
  reaction and get your child to the emergency room for follow-up care. Without
  prompt treatment, anaphylaxis can be fatal.

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References:

• Egg allergy. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.foodallergy.org/allergens/egg-allergy
• Mayo Clinic Staff. (2015, January 27). Egg allergy.
  Retrieved from http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/egg-allergy/basics/definition/con-20032721 
• Types of food allergy: Egg allergy. (n.d). Retrieved from
  http://acaai.org/allergies/types/food-allergies/types-food-allergy/egg-allergy

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