Proper Precautions for those with Egg Allergies

The egg is a popular food item and is used in a variety of ways from scrambled eggs for breakfast to an ingredient in cakes, breads and even meatballs. The egg is a common binding ingredient so it can be found in countless products and recipes. However, what if you had an egg allergy?

Infants and young children are the ones most susceptible to eggs and they are the majority when it comes to egg allergies. For the most part, most of these babies and children outgrow the allergy within a few years once their bodies and immune system mature a bit. But do you know what to look for when someone has a reaction to eggs?

Signs of Reaction

Because the body views the egg as a foreign substance that could be harmful to you, it will use special antibodies to fight back. During this battle, the person affected could become nauseous and vomit or even get a rash or hives. The effect could be almost instantaneous (which is easy to diagnose and attribute to eggs) or it could be several hours, making a food allergy diagnosis more difficult.

Skin reactions to an egg allergy could include the hives and rash as mentioned above in addition to general swelling and even allergy-induced eczema. In addition to the nausea and vomiting, abdominal pain due to gas and cramps could occur. Swelling or a burning, itching sensation in the mouth is likely too.  Wheezing, low blood pressure rapid pulse, dripping nose and breathing difficulty could occur too.

In extreme cases of egg allergies, the person affected could develop anaphylaxis which is a serious condition in which your blood pressure drops, air passageways swell causing breathing difficulty and even unconsciousness. A dose of epinephrine is needed almost immediately to counteract these life threatening symptoms.

Proper Precautions

If you or someone you know has an egg allergy, you have to avoid any and all egg products totally. You cannot even have products that call themselves egg substitutes because they still have egg product in them – the egg whites to be specific. Be sure to look at food labels and read the ingredients. It may not always say that it contains egg specifically. The label may list dried egg white, egg yolk, powdered eggs, egg solids and more.

In addition, there are other ingredients that while not an actual egg may be derived from the egg, its proteins or other chemicals. Albumin, lysozyme, vitellin and albuminate are all examples of ingredients that should be avoided. Other ingredients to watch out for start with the letters "ovo" like ovomucoid, ovoglobulin and ovovitella.

Carrying a card that lists eggs and its derivatives in your wallet, purse or backpack is a smart idea, especially if you cannot remember them all. This memory aid will help you identify and avoid egg products and prevent food allergic reactions. Also, you will want to talk with your doctor about whether getting a flu shot is a smart idea given it is derived from eggs. Talk with them about medications and supplements as well. Having a global view of what other items to avoid in addition to just food products is helpful.