Egg Allergy Symptoms, Causes, Risk Factors, Complications, Diagnosis and Treatment
What Is Egg Allergy ?
Among others, egg is the common food allergen for children. It tends to root symptoms several minutes- hours after consuming the food item that contains egg, or directly eating an egg. Symptoms of egg allergy ranges from minor to intense, and commonly include vomiting, nasal congestion, hives and skin rashes. It can also source other problems related to digestion. Quite rarely, it triggers anaphylaxis, a serious allergic reaction. Many children outgrow the allergy by the time they reach adolescence.
What Are The Symptoms Of Egg Allergy ?
As mentioned earlier, symptoms develop minutes-hours after consuming the egg products or simply by eating an egg. Reaction can vary from individual to individual, where some may experience minor, while other may develop serious symptoms of egg allergy. Common symptoms include:
- Digestive signs for example nausea, cramps and vomiting.
- Skin inflammation.
- Hives.
- Chest tightness.
- Runny nose.
- Wheezing.
- Signs of asthma, for example breathing difficulties or coughing.
- Nasal congestion.
- Sneezing.
What Causes Egg Allergy ?
Food allergies are triggered by the malfunction of immune system. In egg allergy, the immune system finds some proteins in the egg as dangerous, hence instigates the making of antibodies that can counteract the allergen. After being contacted with the proteins, these antibodies tend to identify them, and indicate the immune system to produce chemicals such as histamine, that leads to the development of its symptoms. Egg white and yolk has protein which source allergies, though mostly, people are allergic to egg whites.
What Are The Risk Factors Of Egg Allergy ?
A number of factors can increase the chances of developing egg allergy, these include:
- Family history of food allergy or asthma.
- Atopic dermatitis.
- Children.
What Are The Complications Of Egg Allergy ?
People with egg allergy can experience anaphylaxis, a life-threatening reaction that needs immediate trip to the hospital. An individual with egg allergy can also develop allergy to some other food, for example peanuts or milk. Besides, asthma and skin reactions (atopic dermatitis) are other complications of egg allergy.
How Is Egg Allergy Diagnosis ?
Through many approaches, the doctor will work on to identify what is causing the symptoms. He or she will perform a physical exam and will need to know the patient’s medical history. After which, the doctor can suggest either or more of the below mentioned tests:
- Blood test.
- Skin prick test.
- Food challenge (wherein the patient is asked to consume an egg to check for the development of signs).
In order to ascertain the doubts, the doctor will ask the patient to maintain a record of what he or she is eating. Besides, the doctor will ask the patient to discontinue the consumption of eggs or eggs products, to check whether or not the signs improve.
How Is Egg Allergy Treatment ?
The mere way to prevent egg allergy is to avoid eating eggs or the food items that contain eggs. Consult your doctor as to what to avoid and what not. As few individuals with egg allergy do not develop any symptom when they consume foods that have well-cooked eggs.
Medications for example antihistamine are known to ease the symptoms of reaction caused by an allergen. In case of anaphylaxis, your child would need an immediate trip to the nearest hospital.
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By : Natural Health News
