Eggs contain many of the essential nutrients necessary for a balanced diet, and they are eaten by one and all. Unfortunately infant egg allergy is perhaps the most common allergy that toddlers suffer from. The infant could be allergic as his/her immune system has not reached its full potential and is unable to deal with the protein found in the eggs.
While most kids are allergic to the protein found in egg whites, in some cases, there may be a reaction to the protein content in the yolk. The good news is that most children outgrow the allergy by the age of 5 and can eat eggs without any complications.
An allergic reaction to eggs can take place immediately or it may take a few hours. Skin problems like rashes, hives, swelling, and flushed skin are the most common infant egg allergy symptoms. Red, itchy, and dry rashes are common, and your infant may try to itch or scratch the rash. Infants also are fussier when experiencing an allergic reaction.
Egg allergy reactions can also manifest into atopic dermatitis; however, infants with a family history of allergy to eggs are at a higher risk of developing it. Other signs of egg allergy in an infant include gastrointestinal and respiratory problems. The baby might develop an ache in the stomach and throw up, along with diarrhea, after eating an egg. Breastfeeding after a mother has eaten egg could also lead to the before mentioned symptoms along with diarrhea. There may also be swelling around the mouth. The most severe, but rare, symptom is when the baby finds it difficult to breathe, and he/she may cough and wheeze.
Doctors normally advise parents to get an allergy test done after an allergic reaction. The infant egg allergy test is a simple test. The doctor will put a tiny drop of an extract on the skin and prick it to introduce the allergen into the skin. If the skin develops reddish raised spots the person has an egg allergy. Do not try to do the test on your own at home as you could suffer severe reactions.
Prevention is the best treatment and therefore you need to avoid eggs and food containing eggs in order to stay away from any complications. Also keep teachers and school nurses informed, so that the child can be given immediate medical attention in case of eating an egg.
Additionally, cutting out on eggs reduces the protein received by your child, so make sure to replace it with other foods high in protein content.
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