A Note on Egg Allergies

2. A Note on Egg Allergies Allergies are caused when a person’s immune system attacks a harmless substance, such as a protein in food. The immune system generates antibodies to attack the offending food. The next time the food is consumed, the body releases chemicals such as histamines to protect the body. According to one study published in the journal Pediatrics in 2009, food allergies increased 18 percent in the decade between 1997 and 2007.They estimated that 3.9 percent of U.S. children alone have food allergies. Milk allergies are the most common food allergy. It is followed by allergies to peanuts and eggs. Nearly 2 percent of children are allergic to eggs. Eggs, proteins in the egg white are more expected to cause an allergic reaction than those in the yolk. Some people can be allergic to both. Symptoms:- The signs of an egg allergy are similar to other types of allergies and may include one or more of the following:- Common allergy symptoms 1)Skin reactions 2)Stomach pain, nausea and diarrhea, or vomiting 3)Wheezing or trouble breathing and stuffy or runny nose 4)Fast heartbeat In children – Egg allergies are the common food allergy in children. These are most likely to get treated prior to the school age. Almost, all allergic reactions due to eggs occur in children with infantile eczema. Allergy to egg white proteins is most common. Some of the symptoms of an egg allergy in children are:- Skin contact reactions, Redness of the face and Hives around the mouth Page 1

3. Tests Performed for Diagnosis of Such Allergies:- If you or your child experiences any of these symptoms, you must visit an Allergy Clinic. Your Allergist may identify an egg allergy through a skin-prick test or a blood test. In the skin-prick test, a lesser amount of a liquid containing egg protein is placed on the back or forearm. It is then pricked with a small, sterile probe to let the liquid seep into the skin. The basis of the protein in the liquid, skin-prick tests can determine whether your allergy is to egg white proteins or egg yolk proteins. While performing the blood test, a blood sample is sent to a laboratory to test for the presence of immunoglobulin E antibodies to egg protein. If these tests aren’t conclusive, your allergist may order an oral food challenge. Under medical supervision, you will eat small amounts of egg to see if a reaction develops. Due to the possibility that a reaction could be severe, this test is conducted in your Allergists office or at a food challenge center with emergency equipment and medication on hand. A food elimination diet also may be used to find out if an allergy is present. If symptoms vanish when eggs are removed from the diet and reappear when eggs are again eaten, an egg allergy is likely. Source Url- https://asthmaallergy.quora.com/A-Note-on-Egg-Allergies Page 2