Who can have an egg allergy? Signs and treatment

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Egg allergy is common in children, with about 2% of children having this symptom. When it comes to eggs, the white protein is more likely to cause an allergic reaction than the yolk, although some people may still be allergic to both.

1. Egg allergy overview

Allergies are caused when a person's immune system mistakenly attacks a harmless substance, such as a protein in a food. The immune system will create antibodies to attack the offending food. The next time you eat that food, the body will release chemicals like histamine to protect the body.
Eggs are one of the most common food allergens for children. Egg allergy symptoms usually occur minutes to hours after eating eggs or foods containing eggs. Signs and symptoms range from mild to severe and may include skin rashes, hives, nasal congestion, and vomiting or digestive problems. Rarely, an egg allergy can cause anaphylaxis - a life-threatening reaction.
1.1. Egg allergy in children Egg allergy is the most common food allergy in children. Nearly all allergic reactions to eggs occur in children with neonatal eczema. Egg allergy usually presents at a very early age, with severe reactions possibly occurring between 6-15 months. Typical symptoms of chicken egg allergy in children include: skin contact reaction, blushing, hives around the mouth.
So choosing what foods children can eat without eggs is a challenge for parents. Eggs are almost always found in bread, pasta, cereals, cakes, cookies. Eggs also appear in candy, ice cream, salad dressings or drinks. Many fried foods in restaurants also use eggs so that the fried dough sticks to the product. As such, any food that includes emulsifiers, binders, and coagulants will contain eggs.
1.2. Egg allergy in adults Egg allergy in adults is extremely rare. Clinical symptoms in adults almost always begin in childhood or adolescence, but there are cases of adult allergies as well. This happens when the body's immune system becomes sensitive to the egg and reacts to it. If consumed, the protein in eggs is identified as an invader and the body stimulates the immune system to cause an allergic reaction. Symptoms that occur in adults can be swollen lips, swollen eyelids, itchy and watery eyes, itchy ears and throat, trouble breathing, wheezing or coughing.

2. Symptoms of an egg allergy

Allergic reactions to eggs vary from person to person and usually occur shortly after exposure to eggs. Egg allergy symptoms can include:
Dermatitis or hives The most common egg allergy reactions are nasal congestion, runny nose, and sneezing. Gastrointestinal symptoms, such as cramps, nausea or vomiting. Asthma signs and symptoms such as coughing, wheezing, chest tightness or trouble breathing. Some severe allergic reactions can lead to anaphylaxis, a life-threatening emergency that requires an immediate injection of epinephrine and a trip to the emergency room. These signs include: airway constriction including a swollen throat or lump in the throat making it difficult to breathe, abdominal pain and cramping, rapid pulse, shock with a severe drop in blood pressure, and feeling dizzy or lost awareness.
When you have the above symptoms, see a doctor even if it is a mild reaction. And this level of allergic reaction will occur stronger after each occurrence. So even if a reaction in the past was mild, the next one could be more serious. In severe cases, your doctor will give you an emergency shot of epinephrine if anaphylaxis occurs.

3. Causes of egg allergy

An overreactive immune system causes food allergies. In the case of an egg allergy, the immune system mistakenly identifies certain egg proteins as harmful. When the body comes into contact with egg proteins, immune system cells (antibodies) recognize them and signal the immune system to release histamine and other chemicals that cause the signs and symptoms of an allergy.
Both egg yolks and egg whites contain proteins that can cause allergies but allergies to egg whites are the most common. Breastfed babies can be allergic to egg proteins in breast milk if their mothers eat eggs.

4. Risk factors for an egg allergy

Several factors can increase the risk of developing an egg allergy:
Atopic dermatitis: Children with this type of skin reaction are more likely to have a food allergy than children without the skin problem. Family history: If one parent or both has asthma, food allergies or some other allergic disease such as hives or eczema, their child is also at risk for food allergies. Age: Egg allergy is most common in children. But with adults, the digestive system is better and less allergic to eggs.

5. Complications of egg allergy

The most significant complication of an egg allergy is a severe allergic reaction that requires an injection of epinephrine and urgent treatment. The same immune system response that causes egg allergy can also cause other conditions.
If you have an egg allergy, there is an increased risk of allergies to other foods such as: soy milk, peanuts, allergies to pet dander, mites, dust or pollen..

6. Prevention of egg allergy

There are a few things you can do to avoid an allergic reaction and limit worse complications if it occurs:
Read food labels carefully. Some people react to foods with only small amounts of eggs. Be careful when eating out, because outside foods can't be completely guaranteed to contain egg protein. Wear an allergy bracelet or necklace. Let caregivers know they have an egg allergy to avoid using egg products in their child's meals. If you are breastfeeding and your baby is allergic to eggs, you should not eat eggs because egg proteins can be passed into your milk. Children are at high risk for an egg allergy. Therefore, parents, caregivers or teachers in the school need to exchange information with each other, and at the same time should get advice and support from the doctor to have a timely solution to the cases of children with disabilities. allergic reaction to foods that are eggs or egg products.

If you have unusual symptoms, you should be examined and consulted with a specialist.

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References: mayoclinic.org; healthline.com