Understanding Egg Allergies
Egg allergies are an abnormal reaction of the body's immune system to egg proteins. Symptoms caused by allergic reactions can be mild to severe, even life-threatening (anaphylaxis). Symptoms usually arise some time up to several hours after consuming eggs or foods containing eggs. This egg allergy generally arises in infants and will disappear before adolescence. Egg whites are part of the egg that most often cause allergic symptoms compared to egg yolks.
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Symptoms of Egg Allergies
Some of the symptoms caused by egg allergies are:
- Reddish rash on the skin.
- Itching.
- Nasal congestion or colds and sneezes.
- Stomach cramps.
- Nausea and vomiting.
- Abdominal pain.
- Diarrhea.
- Shortness of breath accompanied by Ngik sound.
- Cough.
- Chest pain.
- Pulse fast.
- Swelling of the throat.
- Blood pressure decreased drastically.
- Dizziness.
- Loss of consciousness or fainting.
- Causes of egg allergies
Egg allergies are caused by the body's immune system that incorrectly identifies egg proteins as substances that harm the body. Consequently, the body gives a reaction of the release of histamine into the blood and causes allergic symptoms. Allergies can be caused by the egg whites, the egg yolks, or both. In children, allergies are an egg-white allergy. While in adults, egg yolks more often cause allergies. In infants who are breastfeeding, egg allergies are usually obtained from the Breastfeeding of mothers who consume eggs. This condition is also triggered because it has not perfected the gastrointestinal tract of infants and children.
Risk Factors For Egg Allergies
- Age. Infants and children are more susceptible to having an egg allergy, as the gastrointestinal tract is immature and perfect.
- Family history with parents who are also allergic to egg proteins.
- Family history with parents who have a history of allergic diseases, including eczema, hay fever, rhinitis, or asthma.
- Patients with atopic dermatitis or skin inflammation due to allergies.
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Diagnosis of Egg Allergies
Diagnosis of egg allergies by a physician is generally usually done through the following steps.
- Travel history of the disease and symptoms experienced by the sufferter, as well as the history of allergic diseases in both parents.
- Physical examination to see the allergic signs that appear on the body of the Patient.
- Blood screening to see the immune system's response to the egg by measuring the amount of antibodies contained in the blood.
- Put a small amount of egg proteins on the skin surface of the people with and observed symptoms of allergies arising.
- Gives a small amount of eggs on the people with to eat and observed allergic symptoms arising.
- Encourage the people or family to have a detailed dietary record, then gradually remove the eggs from the daily menu while observing the symptoms that arise.
Egg Allergy Treatment
Treatment of egg allergies is not to consume eggs or foods containing eggs. The medications used are aimed at reducing the symptoms that arise. Some commonly used medications are:
- Antihistamines. The drug can be administered after consuming an egg. The goal is to avoid severe allergic reactions.
- Adrenaline. The drug is used in an injectable manner to treat serious allergic reactions in the form of anaphylaxis. Serious symptoms should be brought to the hospital immediately.
Preventing Egg Allergies
Prevention of egg allergies is best by not consuming eggs or foods and beverages containing eggs. Some of the efforts that can be done include:
- Thorough food content when going to eat outdoors. Ask the waiter or cook about the egg content on the menu to be eaten.
- Thoroughly read the caption label on the food packaging. In some cases, a slight amount of egg content can also trigger allergic symptoms.
- In nursing mothers whose baby has an egg allergy, avoid eating eggs because it can enter the breast milk to be drunk.
- Replace eggs with other substitute ingredients commonly used for food processing.
- Use special bracelets or necklaces for allergic passengers when traveling outdoors.
- Tell the family or caregiver that the child has an egg allergy and explain what to do when allergic symptoms arise.
- Discuss with the doctor each time the child will be vaccinations, because in some vaccines (influenza, measles, gondong, rubella, and yellow fever) contain egg proteins, so as to trigger allergic symptoms.
When to go to a doctor?
If you experience the signs and symptoms of an egg allergy above, immediately talk to your doctor to find out the cause and get the right treatment.
To perform the check-up, you can immediately make an appointment with your preferred doctor in the hospital.
Is There a Special Cause of People Experiencing Egg Allergies?
Excessive Immune Reactions
- Have a parent with a history of food allergies or asthma disease.
- Experiencing atopic eczema. The reaction caused by atopic eczema may increase the risk of experiencing food allergies, including egg allergies.