How to Diagnose an Egg Allergy

Egg allergies are common health conditions where the body's immune system has an abnormal reaction to eggs and egg products. The proteins in the eggs cause the immune system to act as if the eggs are causing an infection. Egg allergies are especially common in children and can be outgrown. Having an egg allergy obviously means you should avoid eggs and all egg products. If you think you have an egg allergy, follow the steps below to get a proper diagnosis.

Instructions

• 1

  Recognize egg allergy symptoms. After eating eggs, you may experience asthma-like symptoms, such as difficulty breathing or congestion. You may also develop skin irritation in the form of hives, rashes or swelling. Nausea and other stomach problems may also be experienced.

• 2

  Keep a food diary. Allergic reactions can be noticed as early as a few minutes after ingestion or as late as a few hours afterward. Write down everything you eat each day and note any allergy symptoms you experience. You'll be able to notice any relationship between ingesting eggs or egg products and your symptoms.

• 3

  Take your information to your health care provider. You should be examined thoroughly to be sure no other health condition is causing your symptoms. If your doctor cannot find another reason for your symptoms, he or she will test you for egg allergies. The skin test is a very popular way to test for food allergies. Small amounts of purified allergens will be injected into a small area of your skin. Even if an egg allergy is suspected, you may also be tested for other common food allergies to rule them out. If you develop red, itchy skin or bumps where you were exposed to the egg allergens, you have an egg allergy.