Egg allergy is a reaction of the immune system to the proteins present in this food, as the body identifies the proteins in the egg white as a foreign body, causing an allergic reaction, making it one of the most common food allergies in children.
In general, this type of allergy is diagnosed in the first months of life, between 6 and 12 months of age, and tends to improve during adolescence, and can cause symptoms such as redness and itching of the skin, difficulty breathing and dry cough.
The treatment of egg allergy must be guided by a pediatrician, who may recommend avoiding eggs in the child’s diet, in addition to immunotherapy and the use of some medications.
Main symptoms
The main symptoms of egg allergy are:
- Redness and itching of the skin;
- Stomach ache;
- Nausea and vomiting;
- Diarrhea;
- Runny nose;
- Difficulty breathing;
- Dry cough and wheezing when breathing.
Egg allergy symptoms may appear a few minutes after consuming the egg, but in some cases it may take hours for the first symptoms to appear, making it more difficult to identify the allergy in this case.
The intensity of symptoms can vary over time, so it is important to avoid consuming any food with traces of egg, as it can lead to a serious allergic reaction, called anaphylaxis, in which the person can stop breathing. Understand what anaphylaxis is and what to do.
Online symptom test
To find out the possibility of having an allergy, such as egg allergy, please indicate the symptoms you present below:
This test is a tool that serves as a means of guidance only. Therefore, it is not intended to provide a diagnosis or replace consultation with an allergist, immunologist or general practitioner.
How the diagnosis is made
The diagnosis of egg allergy is made by a doctor, who will evaluate the signs and symptoms presented by the person, the current health status and family history of allergies.
In addition, the doctor may also request some additional tests, such as a skin test and an oral provocation test, where a small amount of egg must be ingested, in the hospital, so that the doctor can observe the symptoms. Discover all the recommended tests to identify allergies.
Make an appointment with your nearest doctor to investigate the possibility of egg allergy:
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Causes of allergy
Egg allergy is caused by an exaggerated reaction of the immune system to the proteins present in this food, in which the body identifies them as foreign and leads to an excessive response and the appearance of skin, gastrointestinal and lung symptoms. This allergy can be caused by genetic factors and a family history of allergies to eggs and other foods.
Egg allergy can develop over time, so that as the child eats eggs, the immune response increases, reaching the point where symptoms appear, and it is recommended that a doctor be consulted.
How the treatment is carried out
The treatment of egg allergy consists of avoiding the consumption of this food and other food products that contain eggs as an ingredient, regardless of the quantity. Therefore, it is important to pay attention to food preparation and food labels.
The doctor may also recommend oral immunotherapy with eggs, which consists of the progressive intake of foods with egg protein, in order to reach an amount that does not cause symptoms.
Furthermore, the pediatrician may recommend the use of Omalizumab, which is a monoclonal antibody that prevents the allergic reaction to eggs, as it binds to IgE, an antibody that stimulates the response of other cells responsible for allergic symptoms.
How to avoid egg allergy
The main way to avoid mild allergies is to exclude eggs from your diet, and it is important to avoid consuming not only pure eggs, but also any food that may contain traces of this food, such as cakes, breads, biscuits, breaded items, puddings, pasta, mayonnaise. and cereals.
Therefore, it is recommended to carefully observe food labels, as many indicate that they may contain some egg compounds, such as albumin, globulin, lecithin, ovalbumin and ovoglobulin.
Can people with an egg allergy get the vaccine?
Some vaccines, such as the vaccine against H1N1, influenza, the vaccine against yellow fever, Triple Viral (measles, mumps and rubella) and Tetra Viral (measles, mumps, rubella and chickenpox) are produced with egg proteins. However, only those who have a severe allergy to egg protein should not receive vaccines with this component.
Therefore, people who are allergic to eggs should always consult a doctor before taking vaccines, to assess the degree of allergy and check whether there are contraindications or not.
When to include eggs in your child’s diet
The Brazilian Society of Pediatrics recommends the introduction of new foods, including eggs, into the child’s diet from 6 months of age. However, it is important to emphasize that the child’s diet should always be guided by a doctor or nutritionist.
Eating eggs from 6 months onwards can help reduce the child’s risk of developing an allergy to this food. Thus, the Brazilian Society of Pediatrics concludes that there is no scientific evidence to exclude eggs from children’s diets.
