Do you also have difficulty eating eggs? Let's talk about Egg Allergy!

Do you or your little one have any problems eating eggs ? If you sometimes experience unexplained problems, it could be due to an egg allergy. Don't worry, we'll talk about this in a simple way today, in a way that you can understand.

What exactly is an egg allergy? Why does it happen?

Simply put, our bodies have a defense system. It's like an army that protects our country. We call this system the immune system . Its main job is to protect us by fighting germs and viruses that cause disease .

However, when certain proteins in eggs (in other words, the nutrients in eggs) enter the body of a person with an egg allergy, the immune system suddenly becomes agitated. It thinks that these proteins are very dangerous for the body, an "enemy" that needs to be fought and driven away. So, this immune system suddenly becomes active and starts a big fight against that "enemy". As a result of that fight, one by one allergy symptoms appear in our body.

There is also good news. Some children who have had this egg allergy since childhood, as they get a little older, that is, as they get older, this allergy disappears on its own. That is really a great relief, isn't it?

What are the symptoms of this allergy? How do you recognize it?

When a person eats a food containing eggs, various chemicals , such as `(Histamine),` are released inside their body. Those chemicals are what cause each of the symptoms that I am going to talk about. See if these symptoms are familiar to you:

• Breathing difficulties: Wheezing, difficulty breathing, chest tightness, rapid breathing, etc.
• Cough and throat changes: persistent cough, hoarseness , a feeling of tightness in the throat, or a feeling of something stuck in the throat.
• Stomach upset: stomach pain, vomiting (sometimes multiple times), and diarrhea.
• Changes in the eyes: Red eyes, itching, watery eyes, and swollen eyelids.
• Skin problems: A sudden rash of red, swollen, and unbearably itchy welts on the skin. We call this `hives`, and some people call it `hives.` Sometimes, just red patches may appear.
• Swelling: Various parts of the body, especially the face, lips, tongue, and areas around the eyes, can suddenly swell.
• Low blood pressure: You may suddenly feel lightheaded and dizzy. Sometimes you may even pass out. The main reason for this is a sudden drop in blood pressure.

These symptoms do not occur in the same way or at the same time for everyone. Some people may experience only one or two symptoms at a time, which may be very mild. Others may experience several symptoms at once, which may be very severe. Also, the same person may experience different symptoms on different days, depending on the number of eggs they eat.

Remember, don't assume that just because you had minor symptoms before, it will happen again. The next reaction could be very severe.

Anaphylaxis – The most severe condition that can be life-threatening!

The most dangerous and severe reaction that can occur with an egg allergy is called ``Anaphylaxis.`` This is an emergency.

This `(Anaphylaxis)` condition may start with the usual allergy symptoms we discussed earlier. However, within a short time, sometimes within minutes, the condition can become very serious. It becomes difficult to breathe, the tongue and throat may swell and suffocate, you may lose consciousness and fall. Symptoms appear in more than one part of the body at once (for example, skin rashes followed by vomiting, or difficulty breathing with stomach pain).

This is a medical emergency! It can be life-threatening if not treated quickly. So you need to be very careful about this.

How do you treat an allergic reaction? What should you do?

If a doctor confirms that you have an egg allergy, they will tell you about the following:

Epinephrine pen – your lifesaver!

• If you have a severe egg allergy, it is essential to carry two doses of epinephrine with you at all times, wherever you go. This is the main life-saving medication in the event of a severe allergic reaction (anaphylaxis).
• Epinephrine is a prescription medicine that you need to get from a doctor. It comes in a small, portable pen-like device. It's very easy to use. Your doctor will teach you how to use it properly.

Allergy Action Plan

• The doctor will give you an ``Allergy Action Plan'', a clearly written plan that explains how to prepare for an allergy, how to recognize the symptoms, when to use ``Epinephrine'', and what to do afterward.
• Give copies of this plan to your family, your workplace, and if you have a child, your school teachers, friends, and sports coaches, and make them aware of this as well.

A medical alert bracelet

• It can also be very important to wear a ``Medical Alert Bracelet`` or necklace that mentions egg allergy. This can help others know about your condition and help you quickly if you are unable to communicate in an emergency.

What exactly do you do in an emergency?

Every second is precious when it comes to allergies.

• As soon as you start to experience severe symptoms such as swelling of your mouth and throat, difficulty breathing, or chest tightness, use the `(Epinephrine)` pen immediately, without delaying even a minute.
• Otherwise, you should use `(Epinephrine)` even if symptoms occur in two different parts of the body at the same time, such as skin rashes and vomiting, or stomach pain with a cough.
• After using `(Epinephrine)`, immediately call an emergency ambulance service such as 1990 (in Sri Lanka), or go to the nearest hospital emergency department with someone as soon as possible.

Very important: Even if the pain subsides a little after taking `(Epinephrine)`, you should definitely go to the hospital. Because sometimes, after the first reaction subsides, a second wave of severe symptoms (biphasic reaction) can occur a few hours later. Therefore, it is essential to stay under medical supervision.

What can I do to protect myself from egg allergy?

The most important and simplest thing to do is to completely avoid eating eggs and anything containing eggs. That's the best protection you can take. But that's not as easy as it sounds, is it? Let's see what else you can do.

Make it a habit to read food labels! This is very important!

• Read the ingredient list on every food package or bottle you buy from the store very carefully, without saying a word. Because sometimes recipes change, and foods we don't even think about, for example, some sauces, sausages, cakes, biscuits, some types of bread, mayonnaise, ice cream, noodles, some types of pasta, marshmallows, and even salad dressings may contain eggs (sometimes under names like egg powder, egg white, or egg yolk).

Be especially careful about cross-contamination!

• This is something that many people don't know about, but it can be very dangerous for someone with an egg allergy. ``Cross-contamination`` is, simply put, the transfer of a small amount of egg protein from something that contains egg, or from a hand, knife, board, or container that has handled the egg, to a food that does not contain egg.
• Imagine, what happens if you make another dish, a paratha or a roti, for someone with an egg allergy in the same pan you made an egg omelette in, without properly washing it with soap? The tiny egg protein particles left in that pan can end up in the new dish. That's what we call ``cross-contamination''.
• So, look for warning phrases on food packages like "may contain egg," "processed in a facility that also processes egg," or "manufactured on equipment also used for egg." These are statements that indicate that the food is prepared in a facility that also processes egg, so you may accidentally get egg in the food you eat.
• Not all food manufacturers label food this way, so if you're even slightly suspicious about a food, it's best to call or email the company to confirm. Never eat food on a guess basis.

Keep these things in mind when preparing and eating food at home and out:

• Handwashing: You, or anyone else who prepares food, should wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water for at least 20 seconds before handling food. Wash your hands before eating. If soap and water are not available, you can use hand-cleaning wipes. However, do not use hand sanitizer gels or sprays. While they kill germs, they do not remove allergens such as egg proteins.
• Kitchen etiquette: At home, keep foods containing eggs in separate containers in the kitchen so that they don't come into contact with your other foods. When preparing food, wash dishes, cutlery, cutting boards, and knives with dishwashing soap and hot water if they have come into contact with eggs. If possible, keep separate cutting boards and knives for the person with an egg allergy.
• When eating out:
• Always keep your two Epinephrine pens with you, and always check to see if they have expired.
• When you go to eat, be sure to tell the restaurant staff, chef, or manager about your egg allergy. Ask if the food can be prepared without cross-contamination.
• Sometimes, it's best and safest to take home safe food that you trust.
• If the restaurant staff seems reluctant to serve you a safe meal as requested, or if they don't seem to understand the seriousness of your situation, it's wise to avoid eating there. It's not worth the risk.

Should we also know something about the flu vaccine? This is also important!

In the past, people with egg allergies had to ask a doctor if it was safe to get the flu vaccine, and sometimes had to undergo special tests, because some strains of this flu vaccine are developed using eggs.

However, health experts around the world are now saying that people with egg allergies, no matter how severe, are not at increased risk of a severe allergic reaction from getting the flu vaccine. This may be because the level of egg allergen in the vaccine is so low that it is generally safe even for people with severe egg allergies.

Therefore, during flu season, it is now recommended that everyone over the age of 6 months, as well as those with egg allergies (after speaking with your doctor), get the flu vaccine.

Let's remember the most important things we talked about? (Take-Home Message)

Egg Allergy is something that can sometimes be serious. However, if you are aware of it, take the necessary steps, and manage it properly, there is nothing to fear. You can live a normal, happy life.

• Recognize the symptoms: Be aware of the common symptoms of an egg allergy, as well as the more severe, life-threatening symptoms such as anaphylaxis.
• Keep Epinephrine: If you have a severe allergy, always keep two Epinephrine pens with you. Know exactly how to use it, and practice it. Always check the expiration date.
• Avoid eggs and egg products: This is the most important thing. Make it a habit to read food labels. If you have even the slightest doubt about a food, avoid eating it.
• Always be aware of cross-contamination: Be especially careful when preparing food at home or eating out.
• Inform others: Keep your family, your close friends, and those at your workplace/studying place informed about your condition. This will be a great help in helping them to help you in case of an emergency.
• Flu vaccine: Remember that you can now get the flu vaccine even if you have an egg allergy. Talk to your doctor about it.

Finally, you are not alone with this condition. There are many people in the world who live with food allergies like this. Talk to your doctor or a specialist and follow their advice carefully. Then you can live successfully and happily with this condition!

If you want to know more reliable information about food allergies, you can also visit the websites of internationally recognized organizations such as `Food Allergy Research & Education (FARE)`.

egg allergy, anaphylaxis, epinephrine, food labels, cross-contamination, flu vaccine, allergy symptoms