Baby vomiting, could this be an egg allergy?

[sweet_pea]

DD just turned one and just a little before then she tried eggs for the first time. The first time it was just a little of the yolk and she was okay. The second and third time I was having scrambled eggs and she wanted to try some, so I gave her some pieces and she was fine. However, the next time I made scrambled eggs for her, she woke up vomiting a few hours after eating. I considered the possibility of the eggs having an effect on her, but also thought it might have been just some kind of stomach bug. So I waited and week and tried again, and the same pattern repeated itself -- not fun for baby or mommy! Could this be an egg allergy? Anyone have experience with this? Funny thing is, she did eat eggs (both yolks and whites) a couple of times before. So I'm very confused! Do we need to do an allergy test to confirm this? I'd love to hear from the mammas on this board! TIA!

[LMPC]

I could have written your post about 8 months ago!!! So definitely BTDT! My DD ate cake and some other things with egg in it with no problem at around 1 yr. Then I did scrambled egg...still no issues. Second time with the scrambled egg, she got hives and started to vomit about 40 minutes afterwards. Called ped....they suggested baby benadryl (at a dose given by the ped for her weight and age). They told me just to avoid egg (never mentioned a test), and said that with her presentation of tolerating some egg, it is likely that she will outgrow it. My brother had similar egg allergies and also outgrew them.

HTH! Vomiting babies are no fun!!!

[LarsMal]

The "normal" egg allergy reaction (although many people react in many different ways) is vomiting. This is how DS first reacted to egg exposure as well.

I, personally, would get allergy testing done. If it ISN'T an egg allergy you don't want to spend time and effort avoiding eggs if it's not necessary. You will probably also want/need an epi pen. DS had accidental exposure/ingestion that went from vomiting to full-on anaphylaxis and we had to go to the ER. Benedryl does not stop anaphylactic reactions or vomiting.

HTH!

[LMPC]

Sorry, yes, I should have been clear that the ped assessed for breathing issues...and that DD was having no problems breathing.

[cmonbaby]

Having BTDT that with my oldest son, I would definitely try to get in to an allergist. Having an epi-pen on hand is a necessity if she is allergic. Reactions to each exposure can vary so at one point if it is a true allergy it could potentially be anaphylactic and you defintiely need epinepherine on hand for that. Our situation was quite similar and once I had DS allergy tested we found out his peanut levels were even higher than his egg. Sorry you and your DD are dealing with such a scary situation! Sending hugs!

[sweet_pea]

Thanks for all of the responses! It's good to hear from other people who have been in a similar situation. We're going to avoid eggs for now and will try to see if we can get DD tested to make sure it's an allergy. I still don't understand why nothing happened the first few times she tried eggs, though...

Also, I just remembered that eggs by themselves, not baked into a recipe, didn't really agree with me before pregnancy (for some reason that went away and now I eat them just fine). I've never been allergic to eggs, though, and don't think anyone in my family is, either. I read somewhere (can't seem to find that article now) that for some children, eating eggs on their own may be too much due to something (greasy?) in the egg, but that it doesn't mean they're allergic. Has anyone found that to be the case with their DC?

Thanks again!

[kmak]

With DS's egg (& shellfish & sesame) allergies we went to National Jewish. The allergy specialists there said this: At the first exposure, there are no anitbodies in the system yet. So even though a person is allergic to something it could take a couple of exposure for the body to create these antibodies that cause the reaction. Then, at the third or fourth exposure there's massive hives (our experience).

Also, a person with a milder allergy can have no reaction when completely healthy. But if the immune system is compromised with say a cold and the person is exposed to the allergen, then they could have a reaction.

So, there are lots of factors that go into a reaction. Cronic versus accute exposure has differing reactions as well. With DS's egg allergy, we found that if we just limit exposure, then everything is just better (he has respiratory issues as well).

[sweet_pea]

At the first exposure, there are no anitbodies in the system yet. So even though a person is allergic to something it could take a couple of exposure for the body to create these antibodies that cause the reaction. Then, at the third or fourth exposure there's massive hives (our experience).

Thanks so much for your explanation, kmak!

[Dr C]

Sweet Pea, you may want to consider going in to see your ped (or they may be willing to do this over the phone) to get an epi pen before you can get in to see the allergist (unless you can get in really soon--like this week). Of course the hope is you will avoid eggs and even if there is an accidental exposure you wouldn't need it, but heaven forbid there was an anaphylactic reaction you would want to have an epi pen on hand and know how to use it.

[MamaMolly]

I also urge a test. Strongly urge! Avoiding egg isn't easy unless you cook e.v.e.r.y.t.h.i.n.g. from scratch. A PITA to avoid if you can ;)

Also, You'll want to know come flu season if your child can get the vaccine ~if you are a vaxing family, that is.

DD had a reaction to egg the first time she ate it, tiny hives and then massive vomiting about an hour later. Followed by days (and I'm not kidding!) of awful burning acidic diarheea that gave her a hellacious rash. Poor baby, just thinking about that rash makes me wince! It got so bad she had bloody raw spots, and I changed her *immediately*. I could only imagine how terrible it felt in her tummy given what I was seeing on the outside of her body!

Another reason your DC may not have reacted with the yolk is that most of the proteins (the allergenic stuff) is in the whites. Many people who are allergic to egg are only allergic to the whites. That was the case for DD. They tested for yolk, whites, and both together. She reacted to the whites and together.

I'm happy to report that we are one of the lucky ones in the Food Allergy camp, DD has outgrown her egg and dairy allergies. So it can and does happen :yay: Though I sincerely hope that your little one only has a stomach bug. I think I can speak for all us FA mamas here when I say we DON'T want you in our club, and you DON'T want to be in it! Please feel free to PM, and again, I hope she just has a nasty bug!

[MamaMolly]

With DS's egg (& shellfish & sesame) allergies we went to National Jewish. ...snip....

So jealous. THey are supposed to be the rock stars of the FA world! :)

[purpleeyes]

I also urge a test. Strongly urge! Avoiding egg isn't easy unless you cook e.v.e.r.y.t.h.i.n.g. from scratch. A PITA to avoid if you can ;)

Also, You'll want to know come flu season if your child can get the vaccine ~if you are a vaxing family, that is.

DD had a reaction to egg the first time she ate it, tiny hives and then massive vomiting about an hour later. Followed by days (and I'm not kidding!) of awful burning acidic diarheea that gave her a hellacious rash. Poor baby, just thinking about that rash makes me wince! It got so bad she had bloody raw spots, and I changed her *immediately*. I could only imagine how terrible it felt in her tummy given what I was seeing on the outside of her body!

Another reason your DC may not have reacted with the yolk is that most of the proteins (the allergenic stuff) is in the whites. Many people who are allergic to egg are only allergic to the whites. That was the case for DD. They tested for yolk, whites, and both together. She reacted to the whites and together.

I'm happy to report that we are one of the lucky ones in the Food Allergy camp, DD has outgrown her egg and dairy allergies. So it can and does happen :yay: Though I sincerely hope that your little one only has a stomach bug. I think I can speak for all us FA mamas here when I say we DON'T want you in our club, and you DON'T want to be in it! Please feel free to PM, and again, I hope she just has a nasty bug!

From one more egg allergy mama: :yeahthat: :yeahthat: :yeahthat:

[Dream]

Should every one with allergies have an epi pen?

DD's allergic to Wheat, egg whites and peanuts. I was told her allergies are stage 2, mild. Her ped never offered an epi pen and I didn't ask for it as it was my understanding that the epi pen is given if you have sever allergies.

[purpleeyes]

Should every one with allergies have an epi pen?

DD's allergic to Wheat, egg whites and peanuts. I was told her allergies are stage 2, mild. Her ped never offered an epi pen and I didn't ask for it as it was my understanding that the epi pen is given if you have sever allergies.

We have one, even though DD's allergies are not as severe, either. Do you have only a ped. or an allergist, too? The allergiest ordered the epi-pen for us.

We've never had breathing issues, (hives, skin issues, awful diaper rash, etc. but no breathing issues) but I am glad to have it. I would rather be safe than sorry!

[ShanaMama]

Though I sincerely hope that your little one only has a stomach bug. I think I can speak for all us FA mamas here when I say we DON'T want you in our club, and you DON'T want to be in it! Please feel free to PM, and again, I hope she just has a nasty bug!

:yeahthat: it's the club that no one wants to join, lol! I agree that it's worthwhile to test just to know- avoiding egg is not all that easy. Once you get used it it's not too bad, but why avoid it if not necessary, right?
To the pp who said that vomiting is classic presentation of egg allergy, I am not sure I agree. DD's egg allergy is her most severe & on her action plan they call it very likely to have severe reaction aka anaphylaxis. She's eaten French fries with egg in them :hopmad: (don't get me started on that story) and literally vomited for two days straight. She ate a bite of muffin with egg baked inside & *only* vomited for about two hours. I am extremely thankful that she's never had a worse reaction than vomiting & I pray that she never does.
But as pp said the reaction can escalate during one exposure or it can present differently each time. As much as we know about there things, there is also alot that we don't know. My allergist has pretty much told me as much and he is on the cutting edge of allergy research - head of the dept at CHOP.
Good luck! I really hope it's not an allergy but I'm afraid it might be based on your description.

[SunCB]

Get tested!!! My Mom is a RN for an allergist. My DS1 is no dairy, eggs, or nuts (peanuts). For him with dairy and eggs he has had hives and major swelling (eyes were swollen shut) plus some nice poops later and his eczema flaired.

Yes, it may take a few times before there is a reaction. Once tested if they feel there is a bad enough reaction to it the Doc. will most likely prescribe a Jr. Epi-pen (had 1 since he was 1 yo though now they say with his reactions that he most likely will not need it if there is contact or ingestion based on previous reactions but we still have 1 for now).

[bubbaray]

My DD#2 was egg allergic and ITA to get your child tested. Eliminating egg was the HARDEST allergen for us. It SUCKED, so yeah, test before you eliminate it.

[Dream]

We have one, even though DD's allergies are not as severe, either. Do you have only a ped. or an allergist, too? The allergiest ordered the epi-pen for us.

We've never had breathing issues, (hives, skin issues, awful diaper rash, etc. but no breathing issues) but I am glad to have it. I would rather be safe than sorry!

Yeah, I only have a ped and in the process of changing Ped again.