Egg allergies are one of the most common food allergies affecting children. Often appearing in the first year or two of life, a sudden reaction can leave families researching egg allergy management for answers. But before starting any treatment, getting a thorough diagnosis is key to confirming the allergy and its severity. Here’s a closer look at how Atlanta allergy specialists diagnose egg allergies.
What to Expect From an Egg Allergy Diagnosis
Allergy specialists don’t just rely on a single test when diagnosing an egg allergy. They follow a strict series of steps to rule out other causes and confirm the allergy.
Initial Assessment and Medical History
An allergy specialist will want to know about your symptoms after eating eggs, such as hives, swelling, vomiting, wheezing and nasal symptoms. Knowing how soon after eating the reaction occurred will also be helpful for diagnosis. If you have a family history of allergies, this can increase the chances of developing an egg or food allergy. Your specialist may also ask you to keep a food and symptom diary to help track reactions and identify patterns.
Skin Prick Testing
After learning more about your symptoms, an allergy specialist will typically recommend skin prick testing. During this quick test, a small amount of a liquid extract containing egg proteins is placed on the arm. The top layer of the skin is gently pricked to allow the liquid to enter just below the surface. If a raised bump appears at the test location, this will be considered in the final diagnosis.
Blood Testing
Seeing a specialist for a child’s egg allergy symptoms is important after experiencing symptoms or a severe reaction. If the specialist determines the child is too young or at risk of anaphylaxis, they may recommend blood testing. This approach involves taking a blood sample and sending it for laboratory analysis to measure levels of antibodies in the blood.
Oral Food Challenge
An oral food challenge is the most definitive way to diagnose an egg allergy, but it does take several hours to complete. During the test, patients consume gradually increasing amounts of egg. By providing real-world reactions to varying levels of egg protein, your allergy specialist can assess your tolerance.
Interpreting Results and Confirming a Diagnosis
Allergy specialists won’t depend on a single test to confirm a diagnosis. Professional allergy testing results are combined with factors like your medical history, previous symptoms, and an examination of any visible symptoms. It is the combination of diagnostic tools that makes a visit to a food allergist so important in confirming an egg allergy.
Egg Allergy Treatment Specialists in the Atlanta Area
Chacko Allergy, Asthma and Sinus Center provides expert food allergy care in Atlanta. Visit one of our centers for dependable egg allergy testing and treatment. To reach us, call (678) 668-4688 or request an appointment.
