Egg allergy: Symptoms, treatment, diet, vaccination safety Health ConditionsHealth ConditionsAlzheimer's & DementiaAnxietyArthritisAsthma & AllergiesBreast CancerCancerCardiovascular HealthCOVID-19Dermatology & SkincareDiabetesEnvironment & SustainabilityExercise & FitnessEye HealthHeadache & MigraineHealth EquityHIV & AIDSHuman BiologyInflammatory Bowel DiseaseLeukemiaLGBTQIA+Men's HealthMental HealthMultiple Sclerosis (MS)NutritionParkinson's DiseasePsoriasisSexual HealthWomen's HealthDiscoverNewsLatest NewsOriginal SeriesMedical MythsHonest NutritionThrough My EyesNew Normal HealthPodcastsHow to understand chronic painWhat is behind vaccine hesitancy?The amazing story of hepatitis C, from discovery to cureNew directions in dementia researchCan psychedelics rewire a depressed, anxious brain?Why climate change matters for human healthToolsGeneral HealthDrugs A-ZHealth HubsHealth ToolsBMI Calculators and ChartsBlood Pressure Chart: Ranges and GuideBreast Cancer: Self-Examination GuideSleep CalculatorHealth ProductsAffordable Therapy OptionsBlood Pressure MonitorsDiabetic SuppliesFitness TrackersHome GymsGreen Cleaning ProductsHow to Shop for CBDQuizzesRA Myths vs FactsType 2 Diabetes: Managing Blood SugarAnkylosing Spondylitis Pain: Fact or FictionConnectAbout Medical News TodayWho We AreOur Editorial ProcessContent IntegrityConscious LanguageNewslettersSign UpFollow UsMedical News TodayHealth ConditionsDiscoverToolsConnectSubscribe Everything to know about an egg allergyMedically reviewed by Jerlyn Jones, MS MPA RDN LD CLT, Nutrition — By Jenna Fletcher on September 29, 2022An egg allergy is a very common food allergy in children, causing a significant effect on the quality of life for the child and family. However, many children will outgrow the allergy as they grow up. In the United States, around 0.9% of all children and 1.3% of children under the age of 5 have an egg allergy. It is the second most common food allergy in children after dairy milk. An egg allergy occurs because the body’s immune system mistakes the protein in an egg as a foreign invader. The immune system response then triggers a reaction, which can vary from mild to severe. Up to two-thirds of children with the allergy also may only have symptoms when touching or eating raw or lightly cooked eggs. These individuals have a higher likelihood of outgrowing the allergy later in life. About 70% of all children with an egg allergy outgrow it by the time they turn 16 years of age. This article reviews the symptoms, causes, treatment, and other information about egg allergies. Symptoms Share on PinterestShikhar Bhattarai/StocksyAn egg allergy can cause a person to develop several symptoms. These can range from a mild rash to life threatening anaphylaxis. Eggs can cause symptoms to occur throughout the body if the person has an egg allergy. The allergy can affect various bodily areas, including the:skin, causing hives, possibly with mild to severe swellingeyes, causing tearing, redness, or itchinesslungs, causing shortness of breath, coughing or wheezing, or trouble breathingstomach, causing repeated vomiting, abdominal pain, cramping, nausea, or diarrheathroat, causing tightness or trouble inhaling or breathingbrain, causing changes in mood or behavior and dizzinessnose, causing congestion, sneezing or itching, or a copious amount of clear discharge In severe cases, it can cause an unsafe drop in blood pressure. A person or child should seek immediate medical attention if this occurs. Anaphylaxis is another serious, life threatening risk that could occur due to any allergy. It typically occurs suddenly and can include symptoms such as:faintingtrouble breathinghoarse voicehives or swellingdiarrheaabdominal pain rapid heartbeattightness of the throatnauseavomitingcardiac arrestdizzinesslow blood pressurefeelings of doom Once a person has one anaphylaxis reaction, they are more likely to have another, and subsequent reactions may be more severe. If symptoms are severe, a person, parent, or caregiver should call 911 immediately. Anaphylaxis is a severe allergic reaction that can be life threatening. The symptoms develop suddenly and include:hivesswelling of the face or mouthwheezingfast, shallow breathinga fast heart rateclammy skinanxiety or confusiondizzinessvomitingblue or white lipsfainting or loss of consciousness If someone has these symptoms:Check whether they are carrying an epinephrine pen. If they are, follow the instructions on the side of the pen to use it.Dial 911 or the number of the nearest emergency department.Lay the person down from a standing position. If they have vomited, turn them onto their side.Stay with them until the emergency services arrive. Some people may need more than one epinephrine injection. If the symptoms do not improve in 5–15 minutes, or they come back, use a second pen if the person has one. Causes The cause of an egg allergy is an overactive immune system. A person’s immune system mistakes the protein in the egg white, yolk, or both as a foreign invader. It then attacks it, releasing histamine. Histamine then causes the allergic reaction, such as hives, and in severe cases, anaphylaxis. Diagnosis To receive a diagnosis, parents or caregivers should speak with an allergist, which some may call an immunologist. Parents or caregivers should ask them to examine their child if they exhibit any signs or symptoms of a reaction. This reaction may occur after eating eggs or products that contain eggs, coming in contact with raw eggs, or using a product containing egg. To diagnose the allergy, an allergist may administer a blood test or skin prick test. A skin prick test involves placing a small amount of egg material on the skin. The doctor then uses a sterile needle to make a prick in the skin that allows the egg to seep into the skin. The doctor then waits 15–20 minutes to see if a small welt or rash forms. A blood test requires that a healthcare professional draw a blood sample and send it to a lab for testing. The lab will search for the presence of immunoglobulin E antibodies to egg protein. If neither test yields conclusive results, a doctor may order a food challenge test. This is when the person eats a small amount of egg in the doctor’s office to see if a reaction occurs. Finally, a doctor may recommend a food elimination test. This is when a person completely eliminates egg-containing products from the diet and then gradually reintroduces them. If the symptoms go away after removal but return when they reintroduce the egg, the person likely has an egg allergy. Treatment The best approach a person can take is to avoid eggs altogether, along with any products containing them. This will help the person avoid an allergic reaction. If they do come in contact with eggs, a person may find that antihistamines help reduce the severity of symptoms. Once a person has an egg allergy diagnosis, an allergist may prescribe them epinephrine in an auto-injector. This medication can help save a person’s life if they experience anaphylaxis from exposure to eggs. Risk factors and complications The biggest risk with egg allergies is anaphylaxis. This is a potentially life threatening reaction that can cause symptoms, including drops in blood pressure, difficulty breathing, and severe swelling. A person may also find they have a reaction to multiple sorts of eggs beside hen’s eggs. They should avoid other types of eggs to prevent an allergic reaction. Prevention While directly avoiding contact with eggs may not present a major problem for people, avoiding all products that contain eggs can be challenging. Several foods and products may contain them. In the U.S., the Food Allergen Labeling and Consumer Protection Act of 2004 requires that all manufacturers of processed foods include a plain language warning indicating that the product contains eggs or was made in the presence of eggs or egg products. People should therefore read all labels carefully to make sure the product they are buying does not contain eggs. A person should also clarify with an allergist all foods they must avoid. Some products that contain egg that a person may not expect include:dressingssoupsbaked goodscondiments and sauces, such as mayonnaise meatloaf, meatballs, and other meat-based productsice cream Vaccinations and egg allergy Previously, the flu vaccination contained eggs. This is no longer the case, so a person with an egg allergy can safely get the flu vaccination if they live in the U.S. However, the vaccination for yellow fever does contain eggs. Though not a part of the standard vaccination program in the U.S., travel to countries in South America or Africa may require the vaccination. A doctor can write a note for a person with an egg allergy if they plan to travel to a country that requires the yellow fever vaccination. If a person has any doubts, they should consult their doctor about their vaccinations. Summary Egg allergy is the second most common food allergy in children in the U.S. Though some children may tolerate baked goods, it is generally best to avoid all products that contain egg whites, yolks, or both. Treatment involves avoiding eggs and egg-containing products. In some cases, a doctor may recommend an antihistamine and prescribe an epinephrine auto-injector in case of a severe allergic reaction. Last medically reviewed on September 29, 2022Food AllergyFood IntoleranceNutrition / Dietfood safety 5 sourcescollapsedMedical News Today has strict sourcing guidelines and draws only from peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical journals and associations. We avoid using tertiary references. We link primary sources — including studies, scientific references, and statistics — within each article and also list them in the resources section at the bottom of our articles. You can learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate and current by reading our editorial policy.A better understanding of egg allergy in US children. (2020).https://www.aaaai.org/tools-for-the-public/latest-research-summaries/the-journal-of-allergy-and-clinical-immunology-in/2020/eggAnaphylaxis. (2018). https://acaai.org/allergies/symptoms/anaphylaxis/Egg. (2019). https://acaai.org/allergies/allergic-conditions/food/egg/Egg allergies. (n.d.). https://www.chop.edu/conditions-diseases/egg-allergiesSamady, W., et al. (2020). Egg allergy in us children [Abstract].https://www.jaci-inpractice.org/article/S2213-2198(20)30418-9/fulltextFEEDBACK:Medically reviewed by Jerlyn Jones, MS MPA RDN LD CLT, Nutrition — By Jenna Fletcher on September 29, 2022 Latest newsWhat sets 'SuperAgers' apart? Their unusually large neuronsOmega-3 may provide a brain boost for people in midlifeSeasonal affective disorder (SAD): How to beat it this fall and winterCDC: Monkeypox in the US 'unlikely to be eliminated in the near future'Why are more women prone to Alzheimer's? New clues arise Related CoverageFood allergies: What you need to knowMedically reviewed by Natalie Butler, R.D., L.D. This article provides an in-depth description of food allergies, including the signs and symptoms and what to do when a reaction occurs.READ MOREWhat to know about allergist/immunologistsMedically reviewed by Marc Meth, MD, FACAAI, FAAAI An immunologist is a medical professional who specializes in treating conditions relating to the immune system, such as allergies and asthma. Learn…READ MOREWhat to know about anaphylaxisMedically reviewed by Cynthia Taylor Chavoustie, MPAS, PA-C Anaphylaxis is a severe allergic reaction that requires urgent medical attention. Here, learn to recognize the symptoms and what to do next.READ MORE6 of the best at-home celiac tests for 2022Medically reviewed by Deborah Weatherspoon, Ph.D., MSN At-home celiac tests can help a person understand their risk of having celiac disease before a doctor's diagnosis. Learn more about the best at-home…READ MORE4 gluten intolerance tests and considerationsMedically reviewed by Marc Meth, MD, FACAAI, FAAAI Various home celiac tests are available. But no test can accurately detect gluten sensitivity or intolerance. Learn what the tests can indicate and…READ MORE