Egg allergy in children and adults
What it found
Hen's egg allergy is the second major cause of food allergy in children and is rare in adults.
It can cause diverse and sometimes severe symptoms.
What they found
Studies in people
Who is affected
Hen's egg allergy is the second major cause of food allergy in children. It is rare in adults.
Symptoms vary
Symptoms can be diverse and sometimes severe. The authors say this can be challenging for patients and clinicians.
How it is diagnosed
Allergy history is the main diagnostic tool. It can be completed with skin tests, specific IgE testing and, in selected cases, an oral challenge test.
Emergency treatment
All patients with egg anaphylaxis should have an emergency kit in case of a reaction. They should also have a specialised allergologic evaluation.
Oral tolerance induction
For safety, oral tolerance induction is helpful in selected patients.
Before vaccination
A pre-vaccination assessment is required in rare selected cases.
Other findings
Avoiding eggs
Strict avoidance of eggs can be difficult because of hidden allergens.
What the authors conclude
- They advise that all patients with egg anaphylaxis should have an emergency kit and a specialised allergologic evaluation.
- They say strict avoidance of eggs is indicated but can be hard to follow because of hidden allergens.
- They note that oral tolerance induction in selected patients offers the future prospect of better day-to-day safety.
What it can’t tell you
- We summarised it from the abstract only.
Who paid
- Conflicts
- Les auteurs n’ont déclaré aucun conflit d’intérêts en relation avec cet article.
The paper
- Title
- [Egg allergy in children and adults]
- Type
- Study
- Evidence
- Studies in people
- Summarised from
- Abstract only
- Cite
- Nigolian H, Caubet JC, Coattrenec Y (2021). [Egg allergy in children and adults]. Revue medicale suisse.PubMed 33830698
Summary written 26 Sep 2026. Check it against the paper before it changes what you eat. How we summarise papers · Report an error