Many young children experience egg allergy, but the condition is less common among adults. Many children usually outgrow it, but problems can occur because it is sometimes difficult to recognize. Egg allergy symptoms in adults may arise when they eat food products that contain eggs, especially when their labels do not clearly indicate them as an ingredient. A list of food products with eggs is given in this article to help you get an egg-free diet.

All About Eggs Allergy in Adults

1. Egg Allergy Symptoms in Adults

Allergy to eggs is extremely rare among adults. Egg allergy symptoms in adults usually begin in childhood or during early adulthood. They usually manifest only as mild nausea or flaring of skin inflammation (eczema) after eating a food product that contains egg. These symptoms may include:  

• Skin. Eating foods that contain eggs can bring about red rashes (hives), itching and flares of eczema. Some people may also experience swelling of their lips, eyelids, tongue and/or throat. Eczema flares up and is seen as itchy rashes anywhere in the body. Hives may disappear after one day, but eczema rashes may develop into blister, ooze and dry up. You may need to take an antihistamine medication to relieve these symptoms.
• Respiratory symptoms. Respiratory symptoms may include runny nose, stuffy nose, watery eyes, wheezing, coughing and trouble breathing. Headache and sinus pressure may also be present.
• Other symptoms. Aside from skin and respiratory symptoms, one may also stomach ache, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea and fast heartbeat.

2. Causes of Eggs Allergy in Adults  

An overreaction of the immune system may occur after eating an allergen, such as egg protein, which triggers the release of chemicals called histamine. This immune system malfunction mistakes egg proteins to be harmful, and sends antibodies and histamine to fight or neutralize them. This causes a chain reaction that leads to your allergic symptoms.

Factors that increase your risk of developing egg allergy include family history of allergy to eggs, a personal medical history of allergies, and young age. Children usually outgrow their egg allergy, but in some the condition the allergy persists to adulthood.

3. Ease Egg Allergy Symptoms in Adults 

There is no cure for egg allergy, and there is no way to prevent an allergic reaction to egg. However, you can prevent the egg allergy symptoms by avoiding eggs or foods that contain eggs. Here are some ways to ease your symptoms.

• Medications. It is difficult to completely avoid food allergy, but medications like antihistamines may help reduce your symptoms of mild allergy. However, these drugs are not effective for preventing egg allergy or treating severe allergic reactions.
• Emergency Injections. If you are at risk of a severe allergic reaction, always carry an epinephrine injector for emergencies. After getting an emergency epinephrine shot, go to the emergency room right away, so you can get medical supervision to make sure your symptoms do not return.

Living with Eggs Allergy

The only way to prevent egg allergy symptoms in adults is to avoid eating them as well as all egg-containing foods, since you may be allergic to the yolk, the egg white, or both.

1. Egg Allergy Avoidance List

2. Reading Labels

It is important for you to read food labels and lists of ingredients carefully, and to ask about them at restaurants. Do not eat the food if you are not sure it’s egg-free.

3. Egg Substitutes