WWYD - Egg white allergy/sensitivity

[ged]

DD2 (12 months old) reacts to egg whites. She gets red splotches around her mouth that go away within the hour. She seems to be fine with whole eggs in baked products, which I understand, is quite common.

background: DD1 also had a similar reaction, but the ped said to just wait about 6 months or so, then try again. Not sure how long I waited, at least 6 months or so, but eventually DD1 grew out of her sensitivity and can eat them just fine. Fwiw, when DD1 was about 2 we had her tested for allergies, and eggs did not come up (she tested positive to dust, cats and shellfish).

Anyhow, back to the question. With DD2 and the current trend of what to do with allergy foods (see citymama's thread), would you still wait the 6+ months before re-introducing, or would you give a little every so often? I am thinking some scrambled eggs or so, once a week. Just to try to "de-sensitize" her... but not sure if that is what I should do if she is already showing some form of definite reaction to egg whites.

[DrSally]

If she's tolerating it in baked goods, I would continue to give egg in baked goods. There is some evidence to suggest that consuming egg in baked goods can help the process of outgrowing the allergy along.

ETA: I personally wouldn't give straight up scrambled egg until she stopped showing signs of allergy.

[Clarity]

I wouldn't give any "straight up" eggs until she's seen an allergist and is under their care. But, yes, if she's tolerating baked in egg then I wouldn't eliminate what she can eat.
Everything I've read suggests that allergic reactions are not static from exposure to exposure. So, while she's had a relatively mild reaction a few times that doesn't mean they'll continue to be mild with future exposure. I just wouldn't risk it.

(dd2 has an egg allergy)

[ett]

I wouldn't give any "straight up" eggs until she's seen an allergist and is under their care. But, yes, if she's tolerating baked in egg then I wouldn't eliminate what she can eat.
Everything I've read suggests that allergic reactions are not static from exposure to exposure. So, while she's had a relatively mild reaction a few times that doesn't mean they'll continue to be mild with future exposure. I just wouldn't risk it.


:yeahthat:

[ged]

sounds good, thanks everyone. I gave her some tuna yesterday with mayo in it, and she may have had a little reaction, so even more reason to be prudent and not try to rush things.

[LMPC]

Just wanted to add my BTDT....DD reacted poorly to scrambled eggs at about 1 yr....hives, vomiting...but had tolerated baked goods prior to that. So we have not given her actual eggs since then but give her mayo, baked goods, etc with eggs in them all the time. Sometimes she has a little bit of a reaction around her mouth (goes away within 15 minutes of wiping) but never any GI upset. I am hoping (like my brother did) that she grows out of it soon!

[ged]

Thanks for sharing. Does your DD tolerate egg yolks? I am pretty sure mine does, but she has refused to eat any for awhile. I know with DD1, I used to make a lot of egg yolk only french toast. I might have to start doing that again.

FWIW, I have a friend who threw up every morning while growing up because her mom fed her eggs for breakfast. No one knew/suspected an egg allergy. Her mom just thought it was her attempt at trying to avoid going to school! FWIW, I think she also outgrew it, but not for awhile :)

[cono0507]

I wouldn't give any "straight up" eggs until she's seen an allergist and is under their care. But, yes, if she's tolerating baked in egg then I wouldn't eliminate what she can eat.
Everything I've read suggests that allergic reactions are not static from exposure to exposure. So, while she's had a relatively mild reaction a few times that doesn't mean they'll continue to be mild with future exposure. I just wouldn't risk it.

(dd2 has an egg allergy)

:yeahthat:

My 6yo had his first reaction at 12 mo to scrambled eggs. Tolerated eggs in baked goods just fine (and still does) but his allergy got progressively worse and now he is nearly anaphylactic from eggs. I'd start with an allergist and go from there.

[RunnerDuck]

My son had an allergic reaction to eggs as a baby. We didn't give him egg any any form again until he was 2+ at which point he had outgrown it. We never eve thought to see an allergist... the pedi said it was very common and usually is outgrown. After the first reaction though I made sure to always have kids benedryl on hand!

[twowhat?]

DD2 (12 months old) reacts to egg whites. She gets red splotches around her mouth that go away within the hour. She seems to be fine with whole eggs in baked products, which I understand, is quite common.


DD2 reacted exactly the same way to egg whites. Red splotches around the mouth that went away. I asked our ped about it and he called the children's allergist at Children's here who wasn't concerned - just said to give her a little every day. We had the exact same reaction with PB with red splotches around the mouth and did the same thing - a little every day. After a couple of weeks, no more reaction.

Now we have no problems, even if DD2 hasn't eaten egg or PB in several days.

eta: same thing with DD2 and blueberries though the reaction was slightly different - a few hives immediately appeared on the hands and legs. I gave her blueberries again the next day and the hives appeared again, but took longer to appear. Gave them again the 3rd day and fewer hives appeared, and they took even longer to appear. By the 4th or 5th day - no more hives. I did this experiment during the weekdays :bag Today, no reaction even if she hasn't had blueberries in weeks. Interesting...

eta: definitely do anything under the supervision of an allergist. I'm wild and reckless (haha - not) and my gut told me it was fine...but I wouldn't recommend experimenting on your child:)

[ged]

DD2 reacted exactly the same way to egg whites. Red splotches around the mouth that went away. I asked our ped about it and he called the children's allergist at Children's here who wasn't concerned - just said to give her a little every day. We had the exact same reaction with PB with red splotches around the mouth and did the same thing - a little every day. After a couple of weeks, no more reaction.

Now we have no problems, even if DD2 hasn't eaten egg or PB in several days.

eta: same thing with DD2 and blueberries though the reaction was slightly different - a few hives immediately appeared on the hands and legs. I gave her blueberries again the next day and the hives appeared again, but took longer to appear. Gave them again the 3rd day and fewer hives appeared, and they took even longer to appear. By the 4th or 5th day - no more hives. I did this experiment during the weekdays :bag Today, no reaction even if she hasn't had blueberries in weeks. Interesting...

eta: definitely do anything under the supervision of an allergist. I'm wild and reckless (haha - not) and my gut told me it was fine...but I wouldn't recommend experimenting on your child:)


This is very interesting, and you make a good point about going with your gut. Even in this thread alone -- we see there are various ways to deal with an allergy. Seems like there is no right answer, even though I wish there were! Thanks everyone for sharing your experiences.