Egg allergy
Egg allergy
About egg allergy
Egg allergy is one of the most common causes of allergies in children. Many children, but not all, outgrow the allergy before adolescence.
Symptoms of egg allergy range from mild reactions to a
severe allergic reaction (anaphylaxis)
. The most common symptoms of egg allergy are allergic skin reactions. Other symptoms include runny nose and itchy and watery eyes (similar to
hay fever
), cramps, nausea or vomiting.
The best way to manage an egg allergy is to avoid all food containing egg or egg products.
Food allergies can be life threatening. If you, or a child in your care, have a severe allergic reaction (anaphylaxis), call triple zero (000) and ask for an ambulance. Lay the person flat and administer adrenaline injector (EpiPen® or Anapen®), if available. Further adrenaline may be given if there is no response after 5 minutes. Give adrenaline first, then asthma reliever puffer, if required.
Causes of egg allergy
For all
allergies
, the
immune system
reacts to specific triggers, also known as allergens. The immune system produces antibodies that detect the allergen and cause inflammatory reactions and the release of chemicals including histamine. Histamine causes
hives
, hay fever and other allergic symptoms.
The protein that triggers your allergic reaction can either be in egg whites or egg yolks, but allergies to egg whites are more common. The specific allergen in eggs that triggers your allergy may be present in both chicken eggs and duck eggs. Some people can therefore be allergic to both chicken and duck eggs. This is known as cross-reactivity.
Speak to your doctor about cross-reactivity because it is difficult to predict.
Egg allergies and vaccines
Most vaccines in Australia do not contain any egg. While some vaccines are produced from viruses grown in chicken eggs, these may be safe for people with egg allergy. These include
influenza (flu)
and
yellow fever
vaccines.
Speak with your doctor about how your egg allergy may impact your
vaccination schedule
or that of a child in your care. In addition, always inform your doctor or nurse of any allergies before you receive a vaccination.
Symptoms of egg allergy
Everyone’s immune system is different, and egg allergy can cause diverse signs and symptoms, ranging from mild to severe.
Symptoms can appear within a few minutes or a few hours of eating eggs or products containing eggs. Many food allergies do not cause severe symptoms, but they can be life threatening in some people and should be taken seriously.
If you, or a child in your care, have experienced symptoms after eating egg, the risk of having another severe reaction after eating egg is greater than usual. Ask your doctor to refer you to a clinical immunology/allergy specialist.
Some people have other adverse reactions to food (such as
headache
or bloating) that are not caused by allergies. These can be caused by factors such as
food poisoning
, toxic reactions or
food sensitivities (intolerance)
from enzyme deficiencies. Although these are not allergic reactions, they are often mistaken for allergies.
Severe allergic reaction (anaphylaxis)
Eggs are one of the most common foods to cause severe allergic reaction (anaphylaxis). Anaphylaxis is life threatening.
Symptoms of a severe allergic reaction include:
difficult or noisy breathing
swelling of the tongue
swelling or tightness of the throat
difficulty talking or hoarse voice
wheeze or persistent cough
persistent dizziness or collapse
paleness and floppiness in young children.
Milder allergic symptoms that can occur before a severe allergic reaction include:
swelling of your lips, face and eyes
hives or welts
tingling mouth
abdominal pain and vomiting.
Allergic skin symptoms from egg allergy
Allergic skin reactions are the most common symptoms of egg allergy. Symptoms include:
raised red bumps of skin hives (urticaria)
itchy skin and rash.
Hay fever symptoms from egg allergy
People with an egg allergy can experience hay fever symptoms (allergic rhinitis) including:
sneezing
itchy and runny nose
red, itchy and watery eyes
itchy roof of the mouth or throat
cough
congestion of the nose
blocked sinuses.
Diagnosis of egg allergy
Diagnosing an allergy can be difficult. If you think you or a child in your care may have an egg allergy, keeping a record or diary of symptoms can help you and your doctor to understand what is causing the symptoms.
Your diary could include information about whether the symptoms occur:
inside your home, outside or both
for a short time or longer
at night, during the day or when you wake up
after you have had a particular food or drink
after you have taken a particular medication, either prescription or over the counter from a pharmacy or supermarket
after you have taken a
herbal medicine
.
Visiting your doctor about your symptoms
If you have allergic symptoms, visit your doctor who will ask some questions about your allergic reactions. You can also discuss your record of your symptoms. To diagnose your allergy, your doctor may refer you to a clinical immunology/allergy specialist who can
test for allergies
using a number of possible methods depending on the type of potential allergy. To test for an allergy to eggs, they may:
do a skin prick test
do a blood test
ask you to temporarily avoid all eggs or products containing eggs (elimination diet), then follow up with the introduction of egg back into your diet (food challenge) under strict medical supervision.
Unproven methods to test for allergies
A number of methods claim to test for allergies, but they have not been medically or scientifically proven. They can be costly and could lead to dangerous avoidance of certain foods. The Australasian Society of Clinical Immunology and Allergy (ASCIA) recommends that you do not use certain
unproven
methods
External Link
to have potential allergies tested. These methods include:
cytotoxic food testing
electrodermal testing
hair analysis
iridology
kinesiology
pulse testing
reflexology
Vega testing.
Always speak with your doctor if you are thinking of using a
complementary medicine
or
therapy
for allergies.
Treatment for egg allergy
Research is currently being done into treatment of food allergy. Currently, the only treatment for food allergies is avoidance of the food that causes your allergy. Even if you are careful, it is difficult to avoid all contact with a specific food.
If you are at risk of a severe allergic reaction you should have been prescribed an adrenaline injector by your doctor and given an
Australasian Society of Clinical Immunology and Allergy (ASCIA) Action Plan for
Anaphylaxis
External Link
. If you are not at high risk and have not been prescribed an adrenaline injector, ASCIA recommends that you have an
ASCIA Action Plan for Allergic
Reactions
External Link
.
To assist with food avoidance, people with food allergies need to become familiar and comfortable with reading food labels. ASCIA has dietary guides to help you understand how to read food labels and what to avoid if you have an
egg
allergy
External Link
.
Some people can tolerate eggs in cooked or baked products, because the proteins in eggs change when they are cooked and are then no longer recognised by your immune system as dangerous. Your doctor can advise you about whether you can eat certain products.
If is important to tell food service staff of your allergy when eating out.
Inaccurate diagnosis can lead to expensive and ineffective treatments, and unnecessary food avoidance, which can lead to malnutrition and food aversion, especially in children. Always speak to your doctor about your food allergy diagnosis and treatment options.
More
research
External Link
is needed into the causes, diagnosis and treatment of food allergy.
Emergency treatment for severe allergic reactions (anaphylaxis)
Emergency responses for
anaphylaxis
External Link
are:
Lay the person flat – do not allow them to stand or walk.
Administer adrenaline with an injector (such as an EpiPen® or Anapen®) into the outer mid-thigh.
Always dial triple zero (000) to call an ambulance in a medical emergency.
Further doses of adrenaline may be given if there is no response after 5 minutes.
Give adrenaline first, then asthma reliever puffer, if required.
If you are at risk of anaphylaxis make sure you:
Have an Australasian Society of Clinical Immunology (ASCIA) Action Plan for Anaphylaxis.
Carry an adrenaline injector to treat a severe allergic reaction.
Consider wearing medical identification jewellery as this increases the likelihood that adrenaline will be administered in an emergency.
Carry a mobile phone to call triple zero (000).
Avoid medication (where possible) that may increase the severity of allergic reaction or complicate its treatment such as beta blockers.
Avoid the food which causes your allergic reaction.
Tell food staff about your allergy when eating out.
Seek medical advice from a doctor or clinical immunology/allergy specialist.
Adrenaline autoinjectors are also available over the counter from a pharmacy.
Where to get help
In an emergency, always call triple zero (000)
Emergency department of your nearest hospital
Your
GP (doctor)
NURSE-ON-CALL
Tel.
1300 60 60 24
– for health information and advice (24 hours, 7 days)
St John Ambulance
Australia
External Link
Tel.
1300 360 455
Australasian Society of Clinical Immunology and Allergy
(ASCIA)
External Link
Dietary avoidance –
Egg
External Link
Introducing foods and allergy
prevention
External Link
Locate a
specialist
External Link
Allergy and Anaphylaxis
Australia
External Link