(Ivanhoe Newswire) – Imagine if goodies like cake, cookies and freshly baked breads were off limits. That’s exactly what it’s like for those who have an egg allergy, one of the most common allergies in children. 

 

The good news is, new studies found that more than 50 percent of allergic children can tolerate baked hens’ eggs and outgrow their egg allergy entirely.

 

“Dietary introduction of baked eggs by an allergist can broaden a child’s diet, improve quality of life and likely accelerate the development of an egg tolerance,” said allergist Rushani Saltzman, M.D. and lead author of one study.

 

The median dose tolerated was 2/5 baked hen’s egg, and all products tested were baked at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for a minimum of 30 minutes.

 

Out of eight common food allergies, children are most likely to outgrow an egg allergy, according to a separate study done by pediatrician Ruchi Gupta, M.D.

 

”Developing an egg tolerance is the most common for children,” Gupta said. “Food tolerance was observed in one in four children, with 55 percent outgrowing their egg allergy by age seven.”

 

If children have shown a severe reaction to eggs in the past they are less likely to outgrow the allergy, researchers warn. Severe reactions cause a whole-body reaction, rapid swelling of the skin, difficulty breathing and could be life threatening.

 

“Parents must practice caution,” said allergist Richard Weber, M.D. and ACAII president. “Introducing an allergen back into a child’s diet can have severe consequences, and only should be done under the care of a board-certified allergist.”

 

Source: the American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology Annual Scientific Meeting

 

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