WHAT IS EGG ALLERGY?

Eggs are one of the most common allergy-causing foods for children. Egg allergy can occur as early as infancy. Most children but not all outgrow their egg allergy.

Symptoms:

Egg allergy reactions vary from person to person and usually occur soon after exposure to egg. Egg allergy symptoms can include:

• Skin inflammation or hives — the most common egg allergy reaction

• Nasal congestion, runny nose and sneezing (allergic rhinitis)

• Digestive symptoms, such as cramps, nausea and vomiting

• Asthma signs and symptoms such as coughing, wheezing, chest tightness or shortness of breath

Risk factors

Certain factors can increase the risk of developing an egg allergy:

Atopic dermatitis: Children with this type of skin reaction are much more likely to develop a food allergy than are children who don't have skin problems.

Family history: You're at increased risk of a food allergy if one or both of your parents have asthma, food allergy or another type of allergy — such as hay fever, hives or eczema.

Age: Egg allergy is most common in children. With age, the digestive system matures and allergic food reactions are less likely to occur.

Diagnosis

Skin prick test: In this test, the skin is pricked and exposed to small amounts of the proteins found in eggs. If you or your child has egg allergy, a raised bump (hive) may develop at the test location. Allergy specialists are generally best equipped to perform and interpret allergy skin tests.

Blood test: A blood test can measure the immune system's response to eggs by checking the amount of certain antibodies in the bloodstream that may indicate an allergic reaction.

Food challenge: This test involves giving you or your child a small amount of egg to see if it causes a reaction. If nothing happens, more egg is given while the doctor watches for signs of a food allergy. Because this test can cause a severe reaction, an allergy specialist should give it.

Food tracking or elimination diet: Your or your child's doctor may have you keep a detailed diary of foods eaten and may ask you to eliminate eggs or other foods from the diet one at a time to see whether symptoms improve.

Prevention

• Read food labels carefully before feed to your child
• Be cautious when eating out
• Wear an allergy bracelet
• Let your child’s caregivers know about an egg allergy
• If you are breast-feeding, avoid eggs.

RAW EGGS ARE NOT GOOD, because

1. According to the US department of agriculture, salmonella contamination may be a problem with about 1 in every 30000 eggs. Then we exposed to bacteria infection.
2. Although egg yolk is actually a rich source of biotin, the white contains avidin, glycoprotein that bonds with biotin, preventing the nutrient’s absorption. Avidin is generally inactivated when cooked, which makes the biotin in the yolk fully available foe absorption by the body. Hence it is recommended to avoid raw eggs.