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Many foods can trigger food allergic reactions. Eggs are one of the most common food sources to cause allergies, especially in children.

The resulting reaction symptoms vary from person to person, can range from a mild reaction such as hives to a more severe one. If you feel stomach pain or itching after eating eggs, you may have an allergy to these foods.

Why can someone have an egg allergy?

Basically, the body can issue an allergic reaction because the immune system overreacts to substances in food. In people who have an egg allergy, the reaction is caused by the immune system mistakenly identifying egg protein as a dangerous substance.

As a result, the body produces antibodies and signals the body's cells to release histamine and other chemicals to attack these protein substances. This will lead to signs and symptoms of allergies.

The cause of food allergies can be egg yolks or egg whites. However, many people get allergies more often from consuming egg whites. This is because egg whites have a higher protein content than egg yolks.

There are also several factors that can make a person more likely to have this allergy. These factors include age, descent from parents, and children who have atopic dermatitis.

As already mentioned, this allergy is more common in children, and allergies can even appear when the child is a baby. It is possible that an allergic reaction in babies will occur when the baby is breastfeeding from a mother who consumes eggs.

Fortunately most of these conditions in children will disappear as they grow. As you age, the digestive system will be more mature and functionally developed, so that it no longer causes allergic reactions when protein from eggs enters the body.

Symptoms that appear are usually inflammation or a red rash on the skin. Some other people also experience allergic rhinitis such as nasal congestion, runny nose, and sneezing. In addition, there are also those who experience asthma symptoms such as coughing, wheezing, or shortness of breath.

People who are allergic to chicken eggs are also allergic to quail and duck eggs

When you hear this allergy, maybe what comes to your mind is a reaction to chicken eggs. So, the question is whether people who have allergies to chicken eggs are definitely allergic to other types of eggs?

In many cases, people who have this allergy are generally allergic to other poultry eggs. These include quail, turkey, duck, goose and even seagull eggs.

Dr. Hermant Sharma, an allergy specialist and Head of the Department of Allergy and Immunulogy at Children's National Medical Center Washington, D.C. says this condition is referred to as cross-reactivity (cross-reactivity). The reason is, there is a similarity in protein structure between these types of eggs.

Because the bird species have the same structure, you should avoid all types if you have this allergy. Some people who have allergies to chicken eggs have even reported experiencing anaphylactic shock after eating quail eggs.

Anaphylactic shock is an allergic reaction that affects the entire body and is considered a medical emergency because it is life threatening. Anaphylactic reactions can occur seconds to minutes after exposure to the allergen.

Some people who are allergic to this may not experience an allergic reaction at all when eating quail or duck eggs. Unfortunately, this is usually only experienced by a handful of people. To be safer, most doctors often advise patients who have this allergy to avoid all types of poultry eggs.

How to treat this allergy?

You certainly have to make sure that these symptoms are really a sign you have an allergy. You will also need to undergo various tests such as a skin prick test, blood test, or go on an elimination diet to confirm any allergies you have.

Once diagnosed, you may be given food allergy medication. However, this drug is not intended to cure, but to relieve conditions when an allergic reaction occurs.

The most common drugs are antihistamines, which you can take after eating foods containing eggs. This medicine will relieve mild symptoms, one of which is an itching reaction. Unfortunately, antihidtamine drugs are not effective at preventing reactions or treating severe ones.

If you or your child has a more severe allergy, you should always provide medication in the form of an epinephrine injection. Make sure you and those closest to you know how to use the drug, so that when anaphylactic shock occurs you can inject it directly into your upper thigh.

After having an epinephrine injection, do not wait for the allergic reaction to subside and seek medical help or go to the emergency room immediately.

Tips for fulfilling protein intake if you have an allergy to chicken eggs

Source: The Washington Post

Eggs are a good source of high protein food for the body. So you may be wondering, how do you meet your protein intake if you have this allergy? Dont worry.

There are several other egg substitutes that you can safely consume. Here are some types of egg substitute foods that are safe for you to consume.

1. Meat

You can still get an abundance of protein from chicken, beef, and other poultry. However, meat is high in saturated fat, so you have to be careful when you want to eat it.

The key, eat meat in sufficient quantities so that this one food does not cause harmful effects on your body.

2. Fish

Apart from meat, fish also has a source of nutrients that are just as good for the body. You can eat tuna, shrimp, salmon, and other types of fish to meet your protein intake. However, don't forget to pay attention to the portion of the meal. Eating too much seafood is certainly not good for your health.

3. Milk

Milk and its derivatives can be an egg substitute food that is safe and good for you to consume. Yes, you can eat cheese, yogurt, kefir, and many others. Each of these dairy foods has enough protein and is a good source of calcium for the body.

However, also make sure you don't have allergies from these egg substitute foods!

If you are worried about this, do not hesitate to consult a doctor. The doctor may perform a medical examination which includes a physical test and laboratory tests to determine what type of allergy you are experiencing.

Vaccine for egg allergy

Apart from avoiding foods containing eggs, people with this allergy should be more careful when getting vaccinated. Because some vaccines are made with a small amount of egg protein, which if given to allergic patients will cause a recurrence of allergic reactions.

If you or your child has this allergy, you should first consult with your doctor before being immunized against rabies vaccine, influenza vaccine, and yellow fever vaccine. This is because these three vaccines contain an egg component.