Egg allergy is an unusual reaction of the body's immune system. When a person eats eggs or foods that contain eggs, the body's immune system suspects the egg protein in these foods as harmful substances, so the body releases histamine substances as an effort to protect the body in dealing with these attacks. Such a reaction of the body is known as an allergic reaction.
An allergic reaction to eggs usually occurs minutes or hours after eating or being exposed to foods that contain eggs. Symptoms range from mild (skin rash or nasal congestion) to severe, such as vomiting and indigestion. However, egg allergy rarely causes a life-threatening allergic reaction (anaphylaxis).
Causes of Egg Allergy
Egg allergy occurs because the body's immune system overreacts to eggs or foods containing eggs that are actually harmless to the body. The body's immune system perceives the protein in eggs as harmful, so it responds by releasing histamine to protect the body.
Examples of foods that contain eggs include bread, candy, cream, salad dressing, various fried foods with a layer of flour, and mayonnaise. Meanwhile, non-food ingredients that contain eggs include shampoo, vaccines, and make-up ingredients. Allergens or substances that cause allergies in eggs can come from the protein in the yolk or egg white. However, most sufferers are allergic to egg whites.
Generally, egg allergy occurs in children. Egg allergy is a very annoying reaction in children aged 6 to 15 months. Babies who are still breastfeeding their mothers can also experience allergies to egg protein consumed by their mothers. Meanwhile, in adults, egg allergy is rare. During adolescence or when the digestive system is more mature, allergic reactions to eggs are less common.
In addition to age, the risk of egg allergy is also greater in people who:
- Have parents with a history of food allergies or asthma.
- Have atopic eczema. When experiencing a skin reaction like this, a person is more at risk of developing food allergies, including egg allergies.
Egg Allergy Symptoms
Allergic reactions to eggs vary from person to person, and usually occur shortly after eating or being exposed to ingredients that contain eggs. Symptoms include mild, moderate, to severe symptoms. Among others are:
- hives (hives)
- Swollen lips or eyelids (angioedema)
- Itchy or watery eyes
- Itchy ears or throat
- Nasal congestion, runny nose, or sneezing
- Cough, shortness of breath, or wheezing
- Digestive disorders, such as stomach cramps, nausea, and vomiting
While a severe egg allergic reaction or life-threatening anaphylaxis is indicated by the following symptoms:
- Fast pulse
- Difficulty breathing, because there is a lump or swelling in the throat so that the airways are blocked
- Stomach aches and cramps
- Shock, which is characterized by a significant drop in blood pressure, dizziness or lightheadedness, and loss of consciousness
This severe allergic reaction is classified as an emergency that requires immediate medical attention.
Egg Allergy Diagnosis
A patient can be suspected of having an egg allergy if he experiences the above-mentioned symptoms, especially if the symptoms appear after he has eaten eggs or foods containing eggs. To confirm the diagnosis, the doctor needs to carry out supporting examinations, including:
- blood test, by checking the levels of certain antibodies in the bloodstream that indicate an allergic reaction.
- Skin prick test. In this examination, the skin is pricked with a small sample of the protein in the egg. If the patient has allergies, a lump will appear at the puncture site.
- Egg elimination test. This test is done by asking the patient to remove eggs from the diet, and record all the food consumed every day. By eliminating egg intake, it will be seen whether the symptoms experienced by the patient can subside.
- Food challenge test. In this test, the patient will be given a little egg to see the reaction. If nothing happens, then a larger portion of the egg will be given to look for signs of allergy. On the other hand, this test can cause severe allergies. Therefore, a food challenge test should be performed by an allergist.
Egg Allergy Treatment
Handling is done in cases of egg allergy is by administering drugs. For mild cases, doctors can give antihistamines. Meanwhile, for severe cases, such as anaphylaxis, the doctor will inject epinephrine.
In addition to handling to overcome allergic reactions, the most important thing that needs to be done is to avoid consumption and exposure to eggs and ingredients that contain eggs. The trick, by reading the label description of the ingredients contained in the food. However, some people with egg allergies can still tolerate some foods that contain cooked eggs. When the immune system is more perfect or when entering adolescence, many sufferers are free from egg allergies. While some adult patients do not experience allergic reactions again after one to two years following an egg elimination diet in food intake.
Egg Allergy Prevention
Some of the following efforts can be made to prevent an egg allergic reaction:
- Read the description labels on food packaging carefully. Some people with egg allergies can react even if there is only a small amount of egg in their diet. When eating out, make sure the food you eat doesn't contain eggs.
- Avoid eating eggs for breastfeeding mothers who have babies with egg allergies.
- Use a special bracelet for allergy sufferers, especially children with severe allergies, so that people around the sufferer can know about the condition.