Discovering that your child has an egg allergy is a challenging moment for many families. In this situation, the instinct of most parents is to gather information, whether it’s identifying the egg-based foods to avoid or researching an effective egg allergy treatment. And during this period of uncertainty, it’s important to get advice from your Atlanta allergist. An allergy doctor will guide parents through the key stages of allergy diagnosis before developing a personalized treatment plan.
What Egg Allergy Symptoms Should Parents Look Out For?
The first elements of an egg allergy to consider are the symptoms. It won’t always be immediately obvious that your child has reacted to eggs, but recording the symptoms (with as much detail as you can) can assist with a subsequent diagnosis. Common egg allergy symptoms include the following.
- Skin rashes, hives, redness, swelling and eczema.
- Stomach pain, nausea, diarrhea and vomiting.
- Coughing, wheezing, congestion and breathing difficulties.
- Itchy and watery eyes.
- Anaphylaxis signs, including severe breathing difficulties.
According to the American College of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology, having an egg allergy is relatively uncommon (approximately 2% of children). However, this still accounts for a sizable population among our kids, so it’s vital to be vigilant concerning signs.
Common Foods Containing Egg Allergen
A food allergy doctor treats a wide range of allergies. While many of these allergies are triggered by direct consumption of the main allergens (such as eggs or peanuts), they also occur after a child eats foods containing traces of the allergen as an ingredient. Some of the following foods are a potential threat to children due to the common inclusion of eggs.
- Cakes
- Cookies
- Pastries
- Pasta
- Mayonnaise
- Sauces
- Bread
Before giving food to children, parents should get into the habit of checking labels to identify signs of egg allergens.
Getting a Diagnosis for Your Child’s Egg Allergy
To best manage a child’s egg allergy, parents first need a professional diagnosis for this condition. Allergists typically use skin prick testing to safely evaluate how a person responds to egg allergen. During this short procedure, egg protein is placed on the skin and the top layer is then scratched. After this, the test area is monitored for a reaction. Along with their medical history and symptoms, the results will help confirm if your child has an egg allergy.
Preventing Egg Allergy Reactions
Finally, parents should understand the treatment options that are available for egg allergies. As many kids grow out of their allergy, one approach is to avoid contact with eggs and undergo periodic testing to see if there is still a response. Alternatively, one of the best allergy treatments is oral immunotherapy, a treatment used to desensitize the immune system to egg allergens over several months.
Personalized Egg Allergy Testing and Treatment for Children
Chacko Allergy, Asthma and Sinus Center helps families dealing with food allergies. If your child is suffering the symptoms of an egg allergy, contact us for testing and treatment services. Call (678) 668-4688 or request an appointment now.
