HealthTip: Childhood Egg Allergy

Eggs are a healthy and affordable source of protein. However, egg is a common allergy which may trigger serious allergic reactions in some children. In the past, the avoidance of eggs and egg products in those with serious allergic reactions would be recommended; but new research suggests children may grow out of allergies they experienced as infants. For example, ~70% of infants allergic to cows milk may grow out of this allergy by the age of 5-6 years.
In a new study from the New England Journal of Medicine, researchers wanted to find out if exposing children with egg allergy to small but increasing doses of egg would desensitize them. Egg white powder or a placebo was first given to 55 children between the ages of 5-11 years. Those who tolerated the egg white powder were given cooked egg. If no allergic reactions were observed, eggs were re-introduced into the diet and the children were evaluated after 6 and 12 months. Results showed that 28% of the children in the study were able to eat eggs successfully.
These new studies suggest that exposing children to small amounts of their food allergen may help build up tolerance. However, if your child has a life threatening response to a certain food, trialing the food should always be discussed and planned with a physician to ensure the safety of your child.

Information Source:
http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/videos/news/egg_allergy_071912.html