Have you or your child been diagnosed with an egg allergy? This can feel scary, especially if you enjoy eating eggs or rely on foods that contain them.

The good news is that understanding more about egg allergies can help you take steps to keep yourself or your child safe and healthy. Here’s what you need to know.

1. Egg Allergies Are Caused by the Immune System

An egg allergy happens when the immune system overreacts to proteins in eggs. In this case, these are the allergens, or the things that cause an allergic response. The proteins found in egg whites are responsible for most egg allergies.

How long egg allergy symptoms last depends on the person and their treatment.

When someone with an egg allergy eats egg proteins, their body creates an antibody called immunoglobulin E (IgE). This antibody triggers the release of histamine, a chemical that causes allergy symptoms.

2. Egg Allergy Symptoms Usually Show Up Soon After Eating Eggs

Most people with an egg allergy notice symptoms within a few minutes of eating eggs. Some may react after just touching eggs, while others might not feel symptoms until a few hours after eating eggs.

If symptoms appear hours later, it can be hard to figure out what caused them, especially if you’ve eaten other foods in the meantime. In this case, an allergist can help identify eggs as the trigger.

3. The Duration of Egg Allergy Symptoms Can Vary

People experience food allergies — including egg allergies — differently. How long egg allergy symptoms last depends on the person and their treatment. If you have severe symptoms and use an epinephrine injection, you’ll likely feel relief within minutes. For milder symptoms treated with antihistamines, it may take at least 15 minutes to notice improvement. If mild symptoms continue even after treatment, contact your healthcare provider.

It’s unclear why symptoms last different amounts of time for different people. It may depend on the severity of the allergy or the treatment that was given.

Some people with egg allergies can tolerate eggs that have been baked for a long time at a high temperature, like in baked goods.

Some people with food allergies may also experience a second reaction after the initial one. This can extend the amount of time the egg allergy reaction lasts.

4. Mild Egg Allergy Symptoms Are Different From Severe Egg Allergy Symptoms

Egg allergy symptoms vary based on how severe the allergy is. Mild symptoms are usually not life-threatening and may include:

• Stomach pain
• Vomiting
• Diarrhea
• Swelling in the mouth, lips, or face
• A tingling feeling in the mouth
• Hives or a rash
• Coughing
• Itching

Even if you or your child only have mild symptoms, talk to your allergist about the egg allergy. Reactions can vary, and the next one could be more severe. If you or your child have a fever, contact a doctor, as it might indicate another issue.

Severe symptoms of an egg allergy can include:

• Trouble breathing
• Difficulty swallowing
• Shortness of breath
• A sudden drop in blood pressure
• Confusion
• Dizziness
• A sensation of tightness in the throat or chest
• Loss of consciousness

These are symptoms of anaphylaxis, an allergic reaction that can be life-threatening. If you or your child experience any of these symptoms after eating eggs, seek emergency medical help immediately.

5. Egg Allergy Symptoms May Vary Based on How Processed the Egg Is

Some people with egg allergies can tolerate eggs that have been baked for a long time at a high temperature, like in baked goods. In general, the more an egg is cooked or processed, the less likely it is to cause an allergic reaction. This is because heat changes the structure of egg proteins, making them less likely to trigger an allergy.

Many kids who outgrow egg allergies find that it happens in stages. First, they may be able to tolerate well-cooked eggs, then less-cooked eggs, and finally raw eggs.

One MyFoodAllergyTeam member gave this advice to a parent whose child has egg allergies: “Stick with the ‘bake-for-20-minutes’ rule. Start with smaller amounts and wait a few days in between tries. Watch for behavior changes.”

However, this approach isn’t safe for all kids. It’s impossible to predict how someone will react to baked or processed eggs. Always talk to your allergist before trying this.

6. An Allergist Can Diagnose an Egg Allergy

An allergist or immunologist is the specialist who diagnoses egg allergies. They’ll usually start by asking about your medical history, family history of food and egg allergies, the symptoms you’ve experienced, and more.

Next, they’ll perform allergy testing. These may include:

• Skin prick test — They may prick your skin with small amounts of egg proteins to see if you react. Sometimes, they might test you for several food allergens at once.
• Blood test — Your blood will be analyzed to see if you have IgE antibodies specific to egg proteins.
• Food challenge — You’ll eat tiny amounts of egg in the allergy specialist’s office to monitor your reaction.

7. Some Children Outgrow an Egg Allergy

Most kids outgrow egg allergies by school age. About 70 percent of kids with an egg allergy will no longer be allergic by age 16.

One parent on MyFoodAllergyTeam shared their story: “For eggs, my son failed the challenge at 2.5 years old. He had very high IgE levels. However, about a year and a half later, he ate a very small amount of food with baked egg in it. He did not react.”

Many kids who outgrow egg allergies find that it happens in stages. First, they may be able to tolerate well-cooked eggs, then less-cooked eggs, and finally raw eggs.

However, some people develop egg allergies later in life, and others never outgrow them. If your child has an egg allergy, it’s hard to predict if they’ll outgrow it. Work with your allergist to monitor their condition and keep them safe.

8. Avoiding Eggs Is the Best Treatment for an Egg Allergy

The best way to manage an egg allergy is to avoid eggs completely. This can be tricky because eggs are in many foods, including some you might not expect, like meatloaf, salad dressings, ice cream, and canned soups.

Because of this, you’ll need to get used to reading labels carefully and looking for eggs and egg-related ingredients. You should even read labels on foods you’ve bought before that were safe, since ingredients can change.

One MyFoodAllergyTeam member shared, “While shopping, she consistently checks food labels, even on brands she has bought before, in case they change something.”

You may also need to ask for ingredient lists when others prepare food for you.

9. Egg Allergies Mean You Need To Carry Epinephrine

There are several medications to treat egg allergies. Some of the most common ones include oral antihistamines. These can help with mild or moderate reactions after exposure to eggs.

If you or your child is at risk of a severe allergic reaction, your immunology team may recommend carrying an epinephrine auto-injector. This is used for symptoms of anaphylaxis. You’ll need to carry the auto-injector with you at all times. Make sure people around you or your child know how and when to use it. After using the auto-injector, go to the emergency room for further medical care.

It can be difficult to know when to use antihistamines rather than epinephrine. Here’s a simple rule: If you or your child are experiencing life-threatening symptoms like difficulty breathing or a rapid heart rate, use the epinephrine auto-injector right away.

Talk to your healthcare provider to learn more about the signs of anaphylaxis and how to use your medications properly.

Talk With Others Who Understand

MyFoodAllergyTeam is the social network for people with food allergies and their loved ones. On MyFoodAllergyTeam, more than 42,000 members come together to ask questions, give advice, and share their stories with others who understand life with food allergies.

Do you or your child live with egg allergies? What facts have you learned about egg allergies? Share your experience in the comments below, or start a conversation by posting on your Activities page.