Introduction:
The egg is a universal and complete meal. It is filled with all the nutrients one can imagine that are required for a sustainable and healthy lifestyle. Eating one egg every day is quite beneficial to health. It provides many micronutrients and macronutrients to the entire body, namely the bones, hair, muscles, and vital organs. It should be noted that there are a few medical conditions related to the important systems of the body, such as the cardiovascular system and the nervous system, which may be the reason for a reduced amount of egg intake in particular individuals after prompt diagnosis and therapy. Even then, individuals these days find themselves turning slightly allergic to eggs.
What Is Egg Intolerance?
Eggs are known to be one of the most typical allergy-inducing foods for adults and children. The symptoms of egg intolerance generally occur within a short span of a few minutes to a wider span of a few hours as soon as there is ingestion of eggs or any variety of food that includes or contains eggs. The clinical manifestations of egg intolerance may range from milder symptoms to difficult emergencies. Quite rarely does egg intolerance have the potential to lead to the stage of anaphylaxis, which can be a life-threatening adverse reaction in the patient. Egg intolerance may typically take place as early and quickly as infancy. The majority of children do outgrow the egg intolerance that they contain within themselves before even reaching the stage of adolescence. However, this is not true for the entirety of pediatric patients.
Is Egg Intolerance the Same as Egg Allergy?
An egg intolerance differs from an egg allergy, where the body's immune system reacts strongly to proteins. An intolerance to eggs means the body does not react well to this food. One might also need help with other foods like gluten, dairy, or soy at the same time.
With an egg allergy, one might get itchy rashes and swelling, especially around the face and throat, right after eating eggs. Severe egg allergies can even cause a life-threatening reaction called anaphylaxis, which can make it hard to breathe. An egg intolerance will not give them allergy symptoms or cause anaphylaxis. But one will still notice symptoms after eating eggs that show they are sensitive to them.
What Are the Causes of Egg Intolerance?
An egg intolerance, understood as egg sensitivity, may occur when an individual cannot accurately and completely break down certain kinds of eggs or every part of the egg. Most healthcare experts agree and believe that not the entire egg but only the white portion of the egg is responsible for the presence of egg intolerance and the clinical manifestations that slide along with it. The egg has two parts: white or albumin and yellow or yolk. The egg white is found to be the one that is responsible and also has the potential to trigger the intolerance of eggs within an individual. Nevertheless, a patient may or may not additionally be present with a history of trouble in the digestion of egg yolks, egg whites, or whole eggs. Since a patient may often be able to tolerate tiny amounts of egg, the signs and symptoms of egg intolerance may not be able to appear right away. Due to this, the majority of people may not ever realize that there is the presence of egg intolerance within them. Below is a better understanding of how egg intolerance may come into the picture.
There are several ways in which the immune system can react. When there is an overreaction of an individual's immune system, it may lead to intolerance and allergies to certain food items. In the same manner, egg intolerance occurs. During the development of egg intolerance, the immune system unknowingly creates an error wherein it understands the egg protein to be harmful to the individual and starts to protect the body from the egg protein. Once the egg is within the body, the individual reacts to it because antihistamines are being produced in great amounts within their body due to the immune system's reaction against the egg proteins.
This cascade continues, and there is the formation of several signs and symptoms that undergo within the individual.
All of this may occur during infancy, childhood, or adulthood or even begin as a sudden onset within individuals of any age group. One of the causes of egg intolerance may be the passage of egg proteins from the mother's milk to their child, but this is only possible if the mother is eating eggs during breastfeeding.
What Are the Signs and Symptoms of Egg Intolerance?
Several egg intolerance signs and symptoms may vary with age, gender, family history, and external factors. There are a few clinical manifestations that are generally observed in those patients who have been undergoing a case of egg intolerance. Mentioned below are some of these typical signs and symptoms of egg intolerance.
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Inflammation of the skin.
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Collection of edematous fluid in the face.
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Generalized edema.
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Puffiness of the face.
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Bloating.
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Pins and needles.
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Mood swings.
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Irritation.
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Rashes all over the body.
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Hives.
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Sneezing.
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Nasal congestion.
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Fever.
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Runny nose.
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Abdominal cramps.
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Asthma-like breathing.
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Coughing.
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Tightness of chest.
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Wheezing.
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Shortness of breath.
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Feeling dizzy.
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Loss of consciousness.
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Feeling a lump in the throat.
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Increase in pulse rate.
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Drop in blood pressure.
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Heavy breathing.
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The pale color of the skin.
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Confusion.
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Indigestion.
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Hoarseness of voice.
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Swelling of the lips.
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The heaviness of the tongue.
What Methods Are Used to Diagnose Egg Intolerance?
Currently, there are no approved tests for egg intolerance, though tests exist for diagnosing egg allergies, which are distinct. To identify egg intolerance, one might keep a food diary noting what they consume, the timing of digestive issues, and any medications. Maintaining this diary over days or weeks can help identify connections between specific foods and symptoms. If concerned about egg intolerance, avoiding eggs temporarily and observing symptom changes can provide insights. Keeping a food diary may benefit individuals with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) by identifying and avoiding intolerant foods.
How Is Egg Intolerance Managed?
The primary treatment for egg intolerance involves avoiding eggs as much as possible. A doctor may suggest an elimination diet, where eggs are excluded from the diet for up to six weeks. Afterward, individuals can assess their feelings and decide if they want to reintroduce eggs gradually. Besides whole eggs or egg whites, it is important to avoid dishes cooked with eggs, and when dining out, inquire about egg-containing dishes to prevent potential reactions. Children may eventually outgrow egg intolerance, similar to egg allergies, with around 70 percent overcoming them by age 16.
What Are the Available Alternatives to Eggs?
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Tofu: High-protein soybean-based food suitable for breakfast or sandwiches.
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Unsweetened Applesauce and Pureed Fruit: Acts as an egg substitute in baking, leveraging pectin as an effective replacement for animal fats.
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Flax or Chia Seeds: Mix with water to replace eggs in baking, with a ratio of one tablespoon of seeds to 2.5 tablespoons of water for one egg.
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Vegan Egg Replacers: Plant-based starches, soy, nuts, or seeds utilized as alternatives to eggs, available in stores and online.
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Aquafaba: Liquid from cooking chickpeas, used as a replacement for egg whites, suitable for making vegan meringues
What Are the Potential Risks Associated With Egg Intolerance?
While having an egg intolerance does not necessarily lead to an egg allergy, individuals may risk missing out on essential nutrients found in eggs, such as choline, lutein, omega-3 fatty acids, protein, selenium, and vitamin D. If unable to consume eggs regularly; it is advisable to consult a doctor to assess potential deficiencies in these nutrients. Additional foods or supplements may be recommended to mitigate the risk of nutritional deficiencies.
When Is It Advisable to Consult a Doctor?
If someone thinks they have trouble with eggs, they should talk to a doctor. The doctor might suggest tests or a special diet to see if eggs or other foods are making them feel bad. Sometimes, digestive issues can mean something else is wrong, so it is good to check with a doctor to make sure. If someone has serious allergic reactions like swelling, trouble breathing, itching, or hives, they should get emergency help right away because these can get worse fast.
Conclusion
Egg intolerance is not uncommon in today’s era of fast food and packaged supply of nutrients. There are several causes of egg intolerance with a variety of clinical manifestations that a patient may present with. These signs and symptoms must be known to the individual since they can aid in prompt diagnosis and early treatment in order to provide quick ease of discomfort that comes along with egg intolerance. The diagnosis and treatment of egg intolerance vary as per the severity of the situation. Alternative sources of nutrients found in eggs can be incorporated into their diet to ensure a balanced intake.
