J.K. asks from Fairfax, VA on March 24, 2010
Selective Egg Allergy ...
My son, who's 11 1/2 months has been fine eating fried eggs, food with egg ingredients, and hardboiled egg YOLKS. Yesterday, I decided to try him on a whole hardboiled egg and the poor little tyke broke out in hives on his face and mouth, and his voice got raspy. Anyone else have the same problem? Should I hold off on ANYTHING egg right now, since he got that reaction? Help ...
So What Happened?™
Hey, thanks for all the response. FYI, he's gotten the flu and H1N1 vaccines last year with no reactions, but I did alert the doc so they can monitor for the other vaccines. He is also allergic to milk (which I found out right when I was weaning from breastfeeding). So I am very aware of allergies and making sure I keep him away from foods that will cause a reaction. It is a really big headache, considering almost everything cooked around here these days have milk, cream, cheese, and butter ... I have him on coconut milk, which seems to be really agreeing with him (no more spitting up, less acid reflux and tummy aches.
Back to the egg, the pediatrician says that they don't do allergy testing until they are at least two. For one, their bodies are still changing. Also, it might overwhelm their system. So I guess I would have to wait. I guess I am lucky I am Filipino and know a bunch of recipes that do not contain milk or eggs. And I am discovering some pretty good vegan alternatives to butter, ice cream, cakes, etc. ... and now, eggs too (since I guess excluding that from your diet is part of the vegan thing --- I do add back the meat though.). And it is easier to keep him away from fast food (since we hardly ever eat out --- I don't trust the pan sharing thing).
It's really tough, but thanks everyone for the suggestions (esp the egg substitute ...). It is a relief to know I am not alone ...
Featured Answers
T.J. answers from Washington DC on March 25, 2010
You can get allergy testing for an 11.5 month old. They have already grown the lining in the intestine that helps to block allergens, this happens at about 6 months. You can find a pediatric allergist. Egg yolk seems to be what he is allergic to.
More Answers
H.S. answers from Richmond on March 25, 2010
HI:) My son has been egg allergic for 9 years, although he has outgrown other allergens over the years including, as hard as it is to believe peanuts. However, eggs are still his most severe allergen...and we are extremely careful as he has had a severe reaction in the past. A food allergy can develope at any time, despite prior exposures...most are more allergic to the white, my DS is + to both white & yolk.
My advise, avoid egg completely until you've seen an allergist for testing & an action plan as to how/what to avoid...also, please call the ped today and request an epi-pen that stays w/ your son at all time...plus carry benadryl!
The raspy voice you mentioned worries me, b/c it means his airway was swelling...that is not a good thing!
Hugs!
PS there is an online yahoo group for no. VA that you may find helpful and can ask around about allergist, etc.
I forgot to add, my son was tested at 9 months old...testing can be done, maybe you can just call for an appt. to the allergist yourself.
M.F. answers from Reno on March 24, 2010
I would hold off and introduce in small amounts as he gets older. My son could eat them when he was a baby however at about 18 mo old he got hives after eating french toast than the next time he ate eggs he got hives again and now sometimes he is fine and sometimes he throws up and can be sick for days. (we dont give him egg anymore however he has had it a few times on accident and it has gotten worse)
S.M. answers from Washington DC on March 25, 2010
I agree that your son is old enough to be tested -- maybe try a different pediatrician who will recommend this. My mother thought I was allergic to milk and I didn't find out until this year at 31 years old that I never, never was! Turned out it was dust and mold allergies. Get your kid tested, it is WORTH IT!
K.C. answers from Los Angeles on March 24, 2010
In most cases, kids who are allergic to eggs are only allergic to the whites, not to the yolk, so it's not surprising that giving him the straight egg white had a different effect.
I would be careful with all egg ingredients for awhile and schedule an appointment with your doctor or an allergist.
If you are baking, you can use the following mixture to replace eggs in the recipe:
1.5 TBSP oil
1.5 TBSP water
1 tsp baking powder
Good luck. Hopefully he will outgrow it.
K.L. answers from Chicago on March 24, 2010
I think it would be a good idea to see an allergist, or at least your pediatrician. Allergies can be dangerous, so it's best to know what you're dealing with.
T.J. answers from Washington DC on March 25, 2010
You can get allergy testing for an 11.5 month old. They have already grown the lining in the intestine that helps to block allergens, this happens at about 6 months. You can find a pediatric allergist. Egg yolk seems to be what he is allergic to.
S.H. answers from Honolulu on March 24, 2010
Allergies can occur at any time, even if they previously had the food.
My daughter for example, loved Kiwi at that age. Then one day she got a reaction to it. (kiwi I learned is highly allergenic and can have severe symptoms... which our Pediatrician has never heard of in all her years of practice).
Eggs... also has sulfur in it... which can cause a reaction in some people. So, it can be the egg protein or the sulfur in it etc. You need to pinpoint that maybe. But some sources say there is no sulfur in eggs. Its debatable.
All the best,
Susan
S.S. answers from Santa Barbara on March 24, 2010
Something similar happened with my son at that age. I just monitored the amount of egg that he got. Always carried Benadryl (there was an emergency on an airplane). He's 11 now and he really loves eggs and has not had a problem since.
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