Egg allergy

Egg allergy is quite common and can occur at virtually any age. Allergens contained in eggs can cause allergic reactions of varying intensity. The most aggressive of them are considered to be ovomucoid and ovalbumin, less allergenic - lysozymes and conalbumin.

Much more often and more intensely, the allergy manifests itself to the protein of a raw egg, although when eating boiled eggs it can also be quite strong. It should be noted that an allergy to eggs can be combined with an allergy to chicken meat, which is due to the presence of protein in it. An allergy to eggs can occur when eating not only chicken eggs, but also turkey, goose, duck, etc. As a rule, such an allergy proceeds without complications, in extremely rare cases it can cause the development of anaphylactic shock. People suffering from this form of allergy are prohibited from eating eggs, as well as products containing their derivatives.

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Allergy to chicken eggs

Allergy to chicken eggs is most often caused by ovalbumin and ovomucoid, less often by conalbumin and lysozyme. At the same time, ovomucoid is also resistant to heat treatment, as a result of which an allergic reaction can occur both to raw and to boiled eggs. Allergy to chicken eggs is very often accompanied by intolerance to chicken meat. The yolk of a chicken egg can also cause an allergy, but the frequency of allergic reactions to it is about half as low as that of the protein. In addition, during heat treatment, the main yolk allergen - vitellin - is neutralized. Chicken eggs have a fairly wide range of applications in the production of various food products (sausages, salami, mayonnaise, pasta, etc.), which is why patients suffering from this type of allergy need to be especially careful when choosing products and carefully read their composition before use in order to avoid getting eggs into the body in any form.

Egg allergy in adults

Egg allergy in adults is much less common than in children, usually due to excessive consumption, which results in the release of histamines in the body and disorders of the respiratory, digestive, cardiovascular systems, as well as an allergic reaction of the skin. The body begins to itch, red spots and swelling appear. If the cause of egg allergy in adults is excessive consumption, it is necessary to sharply reduce their amount in the diet or completely limit it.

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How does egg allergy manifest itself?

To understand how an egg allergy manifests itself, it is necessary to know its main symptoms. Firstly, it is an allergic reaction of the skin - red rashes, itching, swelling, eczema, redness of the oral mucosa. A negative reaction to an egg allergy can also occur in the digestive, respiratory and cardiovascular systems. In addition to skin rashes, the patient may experience diarrhea, nausea, rhinitis, lacrimation, wheezing cough, eyelids may turn red, and a headache may also join in.

Symptoms of Egg Allergy

The first symptoms of egg allergy may appear in infancy. The manifestations of allergy may be as follows: chaotic red skin rashes, a feeling of painful tickling irritation of the skin, eczema, swelling and redness of the oral mucosa, digestive disorders, including abdominal pain, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting. From the respiratory system, there is redness of the eyelids, lacrimation, sneezing, nasal congestion, coughing, wheezing sounds in the chest, etc., headaches may also occur.

What to do if a child is allergic to eggs?

Egg allergy is one of the most common allergies in children. If a child is allergic to eggs, it means that the immune system rejects the protein and produces a response accompanied by the release of histamines, thereby causing disorders in the functioning of certain body systems and affecting the skin. It should be noted that an allergic reaction can also occur to the yolk. Egg allergy can first occur at a very early age. If a child is allergic to eggs, they should not be eaten, and you should also refuse all products in which they are present in one form or another.

Diet for Egg Allergy

A diet for egg allergy implies, first of all, excluding them from the diet. People who suffer from egg allergy should take into account the fact that eggs are included in a wide variety of products and this is not always reflected on the packaging. For example, eggs are used in the production of pasta, sausages, and some bakery products, although they may not be listed on the label as part of the product. Also, the most common egg-containing products are the following: mayonnaise, sausages, ice cream, confectionery, various semi-finished products, crab sticks, etc. When studying the composition of a product, it is necessary to keep in mind that it contains eggs if the label indicates such components as albumin, lecithin, thickener, coagulant, egg white, egg yolk, emulsifier, lysozyme, ovoglobin, globulin, egg powder. To avoid eggs when cooking at home, you can use an analogue, for example, diluting one tablespoon of yeast with a quarter glass of water or adding a tablespoon of banana or apricot puree to the dish being prepared. You can also use gelatin to replace eggs when cooking, dissolving one packet in two tablespoons of hot water. Water with vegetable oil and soda (about 1-1.5 tablespoons each) can also replace eggs when cooking. A diet for egg allergies can consist of the following dishes and products:

• Beef or pork soups (chicken soups are excluded).
• Potatoes, cabbage and other vegetables.
• Fruits.
• Porridges from various cereals.
• Homemade baked goods without eggs.
• Butter, milk.

In general, a diet for egg allergy can include various products and dishes, the main thing is that they do not contain eggs and their derivatives. Chicken meat and broth are also excluded from the diet.

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Eggshells for allergies

Egg shells can have a pretty good effect on allergies. To make egg shell powder, it is preferable to use eggs with white shells. Before cooking, the shells should be thoroughly treated with soap, then the contents should be removed, and then washed and dried again. The prepared shells can be crushed using a masher or coffee grinder. It should be taken into account that the shells will be much harder for the body to digest during heat treatment. Strict adherence to dosages is extremely important when using shells in food, especially for small children. Children aged six months to a year are given a small pinch that can fit on the edge of a knife. For children over one year old, the portion of shells is doubled, the dosage for children five to seven years old is half a teaspoon. It is recommended to add a few drops of fresh lemon juice to the shells before use for better absorption by the body. Eggshells are taken for allergies for two to three months or more. The maximum dosage for adults is one teaspoon per day. Water in which eggs were boiled or eggshells were left for a day can also be used for medicinal purposes - for applying applications for allergic rashes. Before using eggshells for medicinal purposes, do not forget that the eggs must be fresh and the shells must be well washed. Pre-prepared shells should be left in a dark place at normal room temperature before use. The shells are usually taken orally regardless of food intake. Even people with an allergic reaction to eggs can eat eggshells, since they themselves are not an allergen.

Quail eggs for allergies

Quail eggs for allergies can be used by both adults and children, as they are considered a hypoallergenic product, are easily absorbed by the body, are a source of many trace elements and, therefore, can be recommended for use both as a dietary food for various allergic reactions and for everyday use. Quail eggs saturate the body with many minerals. The use of quail egg shells for allergies helps to reduce the symptoms of the disease and has a positive effect on its course, if the patient is not allergic to this product. Quail eggs should be taken on an empty stomach half an hour before meals, washed down with water or natural juice. For preventive purposes, quail eggs are recommended to be consumed in the following quantities: children from one to three years old - one or two eggs per day, from three to eight years old - two or three eggs, from eight to twelve - three or four, children over twelve, as well as adults - four to six eggs per day. Quail eggs for allergies are consumed salted, washed down with warm water. If the child's allergic reaction has manifested itself in the form of diathesis, you can use the following remedy: take a lemon, wash it well, squeeze a little juice into a spoon. Crush the dried quail eggshells in a mortar and add a few drops of lemon juice. Give the resulting mixture to the baby in small portions depending on age several times a day.

Treatment for Egg Allergy

Treatment of egg allergy involves symptomatic treatment, since it is impossible to influence the cause of the disease. The main treatment is the mandatory exclusion of eggs and products containing egg white, yolk, powder and other elements present in eggs from the diet. When treating egg allergy, it is possible to use antihistamines to relieve allergy symptoms. Quail eggs can be used as an analogue of chicken eggs or other eggs that cause allergies. In case of egg allergy, it is also possible to treat with eggshells, which are crushed and taken orally in an amount corresponding to the patient's age. For the smallest children, for example, this is a small pinch. Before use, the eggshell is thoroughly cleaned with a food detergent. However, it is not recommended to use any means for allergies without prior consultation with a doctor. An allergist will first conduct allergy tests and determine the allergen, after which he will prescribe competent therapy, which also includes a therapeutic diet.