Egg allergy is a very common type of allergic reaction. In order to notice the presence of this disease in time, you need to know about its symptoms, familiarize yourself with all its features. Therefore, in this article we will consider the most basic aspects regarding an allergy that occurs to a food product loved by many.
Allergy to eggs: causes
The cause of an egg allergy is albumin, which is a substance found in the protein of this product. Albumin is a powerful allergen that, after penetrating the human body, provokes an increased production of antibodies called immunoglobulins. If we talk about chicken eggs, egg white is most often the risk factor for humans. As for the yolk, it causes allergies much less often, because vitellin, its main allergen, very rarely provokes the development of allergies, in addition, it is easily destroyed during heat treatment.
Quail eggs
Quite often, with allergies to chicken eggs, quail eggs are prescribed. They are more useful, they can boast of containing a large number of components necessary for the body. But still, it is worth considering that albumin is present in this product and does not disappear anywhere. Therefore, allergies can occur both in chicken and quail eggs.
Signs of an egg allergy
The occurrence of an allergy to this food product can be noticed due to symptoms such as Quincke's edema, urticaria, itching in the nose, eyes, sneezing. In addition, if the patient has consumed eggs for a long time, the appearance of disturbances in the work of the gastrointestinal tract is not excluded. Among other signs of an illness provoked by eggs, there are:
- labored breathing;
- shortness of breath
- watery discharge from the nose;
- tearing.
Allergy to chicken eggs is often accompanied by atomic dermatitis, urticaria, hyperemia and itching of the skin. If we talk about the symptoms of the gastrointestinal tract, it includes increased gas formation, vomiting, nausea and diarrhea. An allergy to quail or chicken eggs, or it can become a risk factor, provoke the development of diffuse neurodermatitis, in rare cases, bronchial asthma, rhinitis, which can disturb the patient for a whole year.
Symptoms of the disease can appear just a few seconds or minutes after eating eggs, or after a few hours. It all depends on the individual characteristics of the body to respond to this product, which provokes an allergic reaction. Particular attention should be paid to cases in which an allergy makes itself felt immediately after eating eggs. Such signs of the disease can lead to severe negative consequences for the patient, require emergency medical care,
How to diagnose an allergy?
If you experience the first symptoms similar to allergic, you should consult an allergist. He is obliged to prescribe to the patient a set of special tests that will help determine the specific substance that is the provocateur of allergies. It is important to know that human immunity rarely shows hypersensitivity to one particular allergen. It usually happens that in the case of an allergy to eggs, the body perceives some other foods as allergens. We must not forget about them so as not to endanger ourselves.
Features of allergic tests
Consider the method of performing tests for the presence of allergies. Specific allergens are applied to the patient's skin. All samples are labeled in the same way as the allergen itself. If the skin becomes hyperemic or edematous, then it is this substance that provokes such an immune reaction, in other words, it is an allergen. Blood is taken from a sick patient, then it is distributed into test tubes, into which one specific allergen is added. After some time, using a microscope, experts are studying the samples taken. If specific antibodies are detected in any of them, then the human immunity is sensitive to the allergen added to the blood.
Prohibited Products
When you buy certain food products in the store, be sure to pay attention to their composition, which is indicated on the packages. Thus, you can protect yourself from eating products containing egg white or yolk. Manufacturers do not always write that eggs are included in the composition. They may hide them under various other scientific terms. Now we list a list of these names to warn all those who are allergic to eggs. These include:
- globulin;
- emulsifier;
- lysozyme;
- albumen;
- vitellin;
- coagulant;
- lecithin;
- thickener.
In addition, people with a diagnosis of "Allergy to eggs" need to give up some of the usual products, since they contain eggs. This:
- ice cream;
- pasta;
- mayonnaise;
- egg cocktail;
- dry breakfasts;
- bakery;
- sauces;
- souffle;
- waffles;
- pancakes, dumplings;
- any dishes, products containing eggs.
But do not despair too much about the fact that most of your favorite goodies that provoke allergies will not be consumed. They can find a worthy, besides a useful replacement. Suppose, instead of pastries, cakes, cookies, and other delicacies, you can eat various berries and fruits. They contain a huge amount of vitamins that are essential for the body of a sick person.
Egg Allergy: Treatment
If any signs of an allergy to chicken eggs occur, you should contact a doctor as soon as possible in order to be examined, identify a specific allergen, and begin treatment of the disease.
After the risk factors are established, the doctor will definitely prescribe the elimination of their effect on the patient's body. This measure is necessary, and without it, therapy is unlikely to bring any positive results. As already discussed above, there are a number of products that contain eggs, egg powder. Therefore, they should be excluded from the diet. The initial stage, as well as the stage of moderate severity, is usually treated with antihistamine drugs. Among modern drugs, they have proven themselves well, for example, Tavegil, Suprastin, Claritin, as well as potassium chloride used for intravenous injections.
Features of treatment
In addition to these medications, doctors can prescribe many more others that allow you to get rid of the unpleasant symptoms that appear due to an allergy to eggs, and improve the general well-being of the patient. Which drug will be prescribed depends on the signs of the disease. For example, in the case of skin manifestations, special ointments and gels are prescribed for treatment:
- Desitin, Dpropalen - relieve the inflammatory process.
- Fenistil, zinc-based talkers, menthol can get rid of itching.
Also, hormonal medications, for example, Advantan, Prednisolone, can be used to eliminate signs on the skin.
If the patient is concerned about signs that negatively affect the state of the gastrointestinal tract, enterosorbents come to the rescue. It is these drugs that help eliminate allergens from the body. Allergy to chicken eggs in case of respiratory manifestations is eliminated with eye drops, nasal sprays. Effective agents are Nazivin, Naphthyzinum, since they help to relieve swelling of the mucous membranes, have a vasoconstrictive effect. In addition, the doctor may prescribe hormonal drugs, for example, Dexamethasone, antihistamines - Fenistil, Zirtek.
Treatment for egg allergy involves a holistic approach. The patient must exclude contact with the allergen product, follow all the doctor's recommendations regarding the use of certain drugs against an allergic reaction, and follow proper nutrition. With the help of an integrated approach, you can quickly get rid of the unpleasant manifestations of allergies, prevent the occurrence and development of various complications.
It is important to remember that many vaccines contain protein. Therefore, you need to inform the doctor about the presence of an allergy to eggs. If a protein is present in a particular vaccine, the doctor must prohibit it. Before buying any cosmetics, it is recommended to carefully read their composition. Very often, lecithin is present in the ingredients of cosmetics (masks, creams, etc.). Remember, at the first suspicious symptoms of an allergy to chicken eggs, other products, substances that provoke illness, you need to consult a doctor. Self-medication is useless here, it can only aggravate the situation.
