This Weeks Topic
Egg Free Diet. Why? What does this mean?
An
Egg Allergy is where the body becomes sensitive to proteins found in
the white or yolk of the egg. The immune system react by producing a
variety of unpleasant and some times severe physical symptoms
Egg
allergies most commonly develop in infants under 12 months as egg is
introduced to their diet. many children outgrow the allergy by their
early school age years. However, in a small number of cases, the
allergy may persist into adult life.
Factors such as
1. Atropic dermatitis (a form of eczcema)
2. Other allergies eg peannut, milk
3. Asthma
4.Family History of asthma, hayfever,eczema or other food allergies.
increase the risk of egg allergies.
Signs and Symptoms
Infant
who develop egg allergies display symptoms within minutes of
indigeston. This happens following eating the trigger eg dairy, nuts,
egg between minutes to 2 hours. If it is injected or a sting 5-30
minutes.
Symtoms can vary in severity. Sometimes mild itching and swelling and in severe cases it can be extreme and lead to death.
Symptoms of anayphlylaxis may include:
Mild Reaction (but still very distressing)
-Swelling of lips,face and eyes
-Hives,welts,itchy skin,rash
-Tingling mouth, abdominal pain, vomitting nausea
Servere Allergic Reaction (one of the following symptoms)
-Difficulty/noisy breathing
-Swelling of tongue
-Swelling and tightness in troat
-Difficulty talking and/or hoarse voice
-Pale and floppy
-Wheeze or persistent cough
-Condition steadily worsening
You need to get help urgently if any of the above servere allergy symptoms are present. Dial 999 or 911.
Egg Allergy and Vaccines
This
is an area I need to research more. We are arriving at the 12 months
MMR vaccine and I am receiving conflicting information.
So I will be updating this area weekly as soon as I get more information. What I do know is
Both
the regular and the H1N1 swine flu vaccines are cultured in eggs and
thereforem both contain very small amonths of egg protein. However,
this doesn't necassarily mean that if you are allergic to eggs you can't
recieve these vaccines. You will need to talk to you specialist or GP
before receiving the flu vaccine.
Vaccines- my GP has recommended hospital admission for the vaccine and my specialist says no he will be fine?
Watch this space?
Reading food labels
Ahhh a whole new language...... If a product contains egg it must be clearly labelled.
Egg derivatives
Avoid the following product if they contain
Albumin,
Eggnog, Egg white, Globulin, Egg yolk, Livetin, Dried egg, Mayonnaise,
Egg leicithin (E332) Meringue, Egg powder, Ovomucin, Egg lysozyme
(E1105) Ovalbumin, Egg Solids, Ovomucoid, Egg substitutes, Ovovitellin.
Good news
There are egg replacers
- you can purchase them in large grocery stores and health food shops.
This will allow you to make cakes, biscuits, meringues and pancakes.
Breastfeeding
Did you know that egg protein in the maternal diet is still detectable in breast milk? Therefore you may improve a baby's ezcema by the mother avoiding egg.
Influenza Vaccines
Influenza vaccines are derived from the extra-embryonic fluid of chicken embryos inoculated with specific types of influenza virus.
There are few published data on the risk of allergic reaction to influenza vaccine in egg-allergic individuals Immediate allergic reactions, including anaphylaxis have been reported in patients with egg allergy after influenza vaccination.
According to the BNF, influenza vaccination is contraindicated in patients who have had anaphylaxis to egg. In each case, it is necessary to undertake an analysis of the severity of the egg allergy in order to determine whether and how the vaccine is to be administered. Individuals who eat egg freely can receive the standard dose of influenza vaccine regardless of past history of egg allergy or evidence of sensitization to egg on skin testing or specific IgE. Individuals with more severe egg allergy should be individually assessed to determine whether the benefits of influenza vaccination outweigh the risks.
http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/j.1365-2222.2010.03557.x/pdf
"Questioning is the door to knowledge" When my baby Thomas reacted (anaphlactic shock) to dairy I started on a huge road of discovery. In order to help other busy mums juggling children, school runs, childcare and husbands I am starting this blog. Thomas is 9 months old so I will share my worries, problem solving and experiences with you.
This week I realised that we are fast approaching the 1 year land mark birthday. Where did that year go? He has completely uncurled. The baby stage is gone. He is shuffling on his bottom from room to room, exploring the world. Fighting for his toys, demanding his sibling toys and full of cuddles and kisses.
But in the background he lives with allergies, where his body doesnt like dairy, egg, soya, tree nuts and some fruits. The MMR vaccine concerns me as evidence in literature shows there is a trace of egg protein. Some reseach states the vaccine is cultured in egg but the egg trace is so low it is safe in the use of children with egg allergies.
Professor John Warner, Chair of the BSACI Paediatric Allergy Group and Professor of Paediatrics at St. Marys Hospital, London said "Egg-allergic children who have not had problems with other vaccinations can safely be given the MMR in primary care. Specialist asssessment is only required if any previous vaccinations have resulted in severe allergic reation (including any breathing problems or collapse)" http://www.politics.co.uk/opinion-formers/royal-college-of-physicians/article/rcp-new-recommendations-for-mmr-vaccine-in-egg-allergic-chil
In addition the British Society for Allergy and Clinical Immunology guideines for the management of egg allergy agrees that all children with egg allergies should receive the MMR. They explain that large number of studies of egg-allergic children show there is no increased risk of severe allergic reactions to the vaccines. Children who have documented anaphylaxis to the vaccine itsself should be assessed by an allergist. http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/j.1365-2222.2010.03557.x/pdf
So I understand why my allergist is not concerned about Thomas recieving the MMR in primary care.
On http://www.patient.co.uk/doctor/Measles-Mumps-and-Rubella-%28MMR%29-Immunisation.htm it advices that if a child is allergic to egg. Immunisation under supervision by a paediatrician is advisable.
So what if he does react? What then? These are factors I have to consider in my decision making process
1. The closest A&E is 1 hour in ambulance
2. Majority of ambulance technicians are not paramedics.
3. Primary Care is not set up for such emergencies.
4. Very importantly the GP is not happy to administer the MMR to Thomas.
5. Experienced mothers to egg allergic children say that even though their children did not react to the MMR they would have certainly considered paederiatic supervision if they were aware that there is a trace of egg in the MMR.
6. A medical colleague suggested single dose of the MMR.
Even though the research is clear that the MMR is safe to administer to egg allergic children. I have to consider the huge flashing factor here is my GP is not happy to administer the MMR to Thomas. My instinct tells me to take all precautions and go with the safe, security of the hospital environment.
On the introduction of this blog I write "Questioning is the door to knowledge". You are your child's advocate. You need to develop your knowledge make informed discussions. I am writing this piece to show you;
How I reached MY decision.
How I problem solve.
This decision is not right for each individual child. You as the parent need to write down the pros and cons and come to your own decision. You need to research! Ask for support and advice! Question!
So I have asked my GP to organise that Thomas has his MMR in a hospital environment under the supervision of the paediatrics.
I will keep you posted but need to organise a dairy, soya and egg free birthday party first!
This is not medical advice!
But in the background he lives with allergies, where his body doesnt like dairy, egg, soya, tree nuts and some fruits. The MMR vaccine concerns me as evidence in literature shows there is a trace of egg protein. Some reseach states the vaccine is cultured in egg but the egg trace is so low it is safe in the use of children with egg allergies.
Professor John Warner, Chair of the BSACI Paediatric Allergy Group and Professor of Paediatrics at St. Marys Hospital, London said "Egg-allergic children who have not had problems with other vaccinations can safely be given the MMR in primary care. Specialist asssessment is only required if any previous vaccinations have resulted in severe allergic reation (including any breathing problems or collapse)" http://www.politics.co.uk/opinion-formers/royal-college-of-physicians/article/rcp-new-recommendations-for-mmr-vaccine-in-egg-allergic-chil
In addition the British Society for Allergy and Clinical Immunology guideines for the management of egg allergy agrees that all children with egg allergies should receive the MMR. They explain that large number of studies of egg-allergic children show there is no increased risk of severe allergic reactions to the vaccines. Children who have documented anaphylaxis to the vaccine itsself should be assessed by an allergist. http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/j.1365-2222.2010.03557.x/pdf
So I understand why my allergist is not concerned about Thomas recieving the MMR in primary care.
On http://www.patient.co.uk/doctor/Measles-Mumps-and-Rubella-%28MMR%29-Immunisation.htm it advices that if a child is allergic to egg. Immunisation under supervision by a paediatrician is advisable.
So what if he does react? What then? These are factors I have to consider in my decision making process
1. The closest A&E is 1 hour in ambulance
2. Majority of ambulance technicians are not paramedics.
3. Primary Care is not set up for such emergencies.
4. Very importantly the GP is not happy to administer the MMR to Thomas.
5. Experienced mothers to egg allergic children say that even though their children did not react to the MMR they would have certainly considered paederiatic supervision if they were aware that there is a trace of egg in the MMR.
6. A medical colleague suggested single dose of the MMR.
Even though the research is clear that the MMR is safe to administer to egg allergic children. I have to consider the huge flashing factor here is my GP is not happy to administer the MMR to Thomas. My instinct tells me to take all precautions and go with the safe, security of the hospital environment.
On the introduction of this blog I write "Questioning is the door to knowledge". You are your child's advocate. You need to develop your knowledge make informed discussions. I am writing this piece to show you;
How I reached MY decision.
How I problem solve.
This decision is not right for each individual child. You as the parent need to write down the pros and cons and come to your own decision. You need to research! Ask for support and advice! Question!
So I have asked my GP to organise that Thomas has his MMR in a hospital environment under the supervision of the paediatrics.
I will keep you posted but need to organise a dairy, soya and egg free birthday party first!
This is not medical advice!
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