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RESPIRATORY TRACT: symptoms can range from a runny nose,
itchy, watery eyes, and sneezing to the triggering of asthma with
coughing and wheezing
Most kids with egg allergy
have some of the reactions listed above, but a few may have a very
strong reaction called
anaphylaxis.
This severe allergic reaction causes swelling of the mouth, throat,
and airways leading to the lungs, resulting in breathing difficulty.
In addition, there is a dangerous drop in blood pressure, which can
make a child dizzy or pass out, and may quickly lead to shock.
For kids who are especially sensitive to eggs,
even egg fumes or getting egg on the skin can cause an anaphylactic
reaction, so eggs should be kept out of the house completely.
Diagnosing an
Egg Allergy
If your doctor suspects your child might have an
egg allergy, he or she will probably refer you to an allergist or
allergy specialist for further testing. The allergy specialist will
ask things like how often your child has the reaction, the time it
takes between eating a particular food and the start of the
symptoms, and whether any other family members have allergies or
conditions like eczema and asthma.
The allergy specialist may perform a skin test.
This test involves placing liquid extracts of egg protein on a
child's forearm or back, pricking the skin a tiny bit, and waiting
to see if a reddish, raised spot forms, indicating an allergic
reaction.
Your child may need to stop taking anti-allergy
medications (such as over-the-counter antihistamines) 2 to 3 days
before the skin test because they can interfere with the results.
Most cold medications as well as some antidepressants may also
affect skin testing. Check with the allergist's office if you're
unsure about what medications need to be stopped and for how long.
Some doctors may also take a blood sample and send
it to a lab where it will be mixed with some of the suspected
allergen and checked for IgE antibodies.
In some cases, however, positive results of skin
and blood tests aren't enough to prove that symptoms are definitely
being caused by eggs. So doctors may use what's called a food
challenge to help diagnose the allergy.
With a food challenge, the person is told to not
eat eggs or anything made with egg proteins for a certain period of
time — usually a few weeks. After that, the person will eat foods
that contain eggs only under close supervision from a doctor. If
symptoms come back after eating egg products, it's likely the person
has an egg allergy.
Treatment
Treating egg allergy might seem simple — just make
sure your child doesn't eat eggs. But so many foods are made with
eggs and egg products that it can be really hard to know what's OK
and not OK to eat. Consider working with a registered dietitian to
develop an eating plan that provides all the nutrients your
child needs while avoiding things made with eggs.
If your child has a severe egg allergy — or any
kind of serious allergy — your doctor may want you to carry a shot
of epinephrine with you in case of an emergency. Epinephrine comes
in an easy-to-carry container about the size of a large marker. It's
easy to use — the doctor will show you how to give a shot to your
child should you ever need to.
If your child accidentally eats something with egg
in it and starts having serious allergic symptoms, like swelling
inside the mouth, chest pain, or difficulty breathing, give the shot
right away to counteract the reaction while you wait for medical
help. Always call for emergency help (911) if your child has needed
to use epinephrine. Besides keeping epinephrine in your home,
briefcase or purse, also be sure it's at relatives' homes and your
child's day care or school.
Also carry an over-the-counter antihistamine as
this can help alleviate allergy symptoms in some kids.
Antihistamines should be used in addition to the epinephrine and not
as a replacement for the shot.
If your child has had to have an epinephrine shot
because of an allergic reaction, go immediately to a medical
facility or hospital emergency room so they can provide additional
treatment if needed. Up to one third of anaphylactic reactions can
have a second wave of symptoms several hours following the initial
attack. So your child might need to be observed in a clinic or
hospital for 4 to 8 hours following the reaction.
Living With an
Egg Allergy
The best way to be sure a food is egg free is to
read the label. Manufacturers of foods sold in the United States
must list on their labels whether a food contains any of the most
common allergens. So look for statements like these somewhere on the
label: "contains egg ingredients," "made using egg ingredients," or
"made in a facility that also processes eggs."
This label requirement makes things a little
easier than reading the ingredients list — instead of needing to
know that the ingredient "ovoglobulin" comes from egg protein, you
should be able to tell at a glance which foods to avoid. Still, to
make sure the foods your child eats are egg free, you'll need to be
on the lookout for any ingredients that might come from eggs. That
means asking questions when eating out at restaurants or others'
homes and carefully reading food labels.
Try to find out how foods are cooked and what's in
them. In some cases, you may want to bring your child's own food
with you. When you're shopping, look for egg-free alternatives to
foods that usually contain eggs, such as pasta.
When preparing food, use one of these egg
alternatives in recipes. Each of these replaces one egg
(these substitutes may not work as well in recipes that call for
more than three eggs):
- ● 1 teaspoon baking powder + 1 tablespoon
liquid + 1 tablespoon vinegar
- ● 1 teaspoon yeast dissolved in ¼ cup warm
water
- ● 1½ tablespoons water + 1½ tablespoons oil +
1 teaspoon baking powder
- ● 1 packet gelatin + 2 tablespoons warm water
(don't mix until ready to use)
- ● 1 tablespoon pureed fruit such as apricots
or bananas
When cooking at home, always carefully scrub the
utensils you're using in case they have been used on egg products.
Although the number of people
in the United States with food allergies is low (just over 1% of the
total population), there's a growing awareness about food allergies.
This means that everyone — from the wait staff at a restaurant to
food manufacturers — is more understanding and willing to
accommodate a child's food needs.
Reviewed by:
D. Pauline Williams, MPA, RD, CD
Date reviewed: April 2006