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Egg allergy
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Egg allergy is a type of food allergy. It is a hypersensitivity to dietary substances from the yolk or whites of eggs, causing an overreaction of the immune system which may lead to severe physical symptoms for millions of people in the United States.[1]. It occurs mainly, but not exclusively, in children. It is usually treated with an exclusion diet and vigilant avoidance of foods that may be contaminated with egg. The most severe food allergy reaction is called anaphylaxis[2] and is an emergency situation requiring immediate attention and treatment with Epinephrine. The Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America estimates that most children outgrow egg allergy by the age of five, but some people remain allergic for a lifetime[3].
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In a study presented at the 2007 American Academy of Allergy Asthma and Immunology (AAAAI) meeting, 50% of patients outgrew egg allergy by age 17. Of those patients who outgrew it, 45% did so by age 5. Kids who outgrew the allergy tended to have peak IgE levels at around age one, which then decline. [4]
In cooking, eggs are an emulsifier--they help ingredients to mix smoothly. It is possible to buy a commercial egg replacer, which may be made from ingredients like potato starch and tapioca. Apple sauce also works as an emulsifier. Half a cup of apple sauce can replace one egg in most recipes.
Flu vaccine is typically made using eggs to incubate the vaccine. Egg-allergic individuals may react to the vaccine. If an individual is unable to take the vaccine, vaccinating all other members of their family can help protect them from flu.
- ^ National Institutes of Health, NIAID Allergy Statistics 2005 http://www.niaid.nih.gov/factsheets/allergystat.htm
- ^ National Report of the Expert Panel on Food Allergy Research, NIH-NIAID 2003 http://www3.niaid.nih.gov/about/organization/dait/PDF/june30_2003.pdf
- ^ “Egg Allergy Facts” Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America http://www.aafa.org/display.cfm?id=9&sub=20&cont=523
- ^ It is interesting to note that some people who think they are allergic to eggs are actually allergic to the antibiotics given to chickens which are transfered to the egg, and further to the consumer. Organic eggs can very often be eaten by consumers who think that they have an egg allergy! If you do not test positive to actual egg allergy, try eating an organic egg. Also, if you have allergies to any antibiotics it would be advisable to eat organic eggs, to avoid the possibility of a reaction. The Natural History of Egg Allergy by J. H. Rabe, E. C. Matsui, K. E. Mudd, J. M. Skripak, R. A. Wood; http://www.abstractsonline.com/viewer/viewAbstract.asp?CKey={DD35189B-AC3C-4320-AAD4-6A60AB84247B}&MKey={ADB9F23F-599E-4E3C-8BFE-532DF96F148F}&AKey={3B788255-C10D-411E-A96E-F2E03408D278}&SKey={2DF953E8-793B-4112-8FE0-58A9F4495EC0}