Egg allergy Q&As
Published by Bupa's health information team, November 2008.
Answers to questions about egg allergy
This section contains answers to common questions about this topic. Questions have been suggested by health professionals, website feedback and requests via email. This section will expand over time.
- My child is allergic to eggs - is it safe for her to have the measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine?
- I used to be allergic to eggs - can I buy an allergy test to see if I still am?
- Can I have the flu vaccine if I am allergic to eggs?
My child is allergic to eggs - is it safe for her to have the measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine?
Yes, it's fine for your child to have the MMR vaccine, although it's possible that she may be given it in hospital.
Explanation
The measles part of the MMR vaccine is produced by growing it on cells from eggs. Therefore, there was some concern that people who have egg allergy might react to the vaccine. However, studies have shown that if you are allergic to eggs, you are no more likely to have an anaphylactic reaction to the vaccine than if you aren't.
If your child has had an anaphylactic reaction to eggs, he/she is likely to be able to have the vaccine. However, it's possible that your child will need to go into hospital to have the injection so that if there is a reaction, emergency treatment can be given quickly.
Sources
- Egg allergy. The Anaphylaxis Campaign. www.anaphylaxis.org.uk, accessed 7 May 20088
- Immunisations - childhood. Management. Clinical Knowledge Summaries. http://cks.library.nhs.uk, accessed 8 May 2008
I used to be allergic to eggs - can I buy an allergy test to see if I still am?
It's not a good idea to buy self-testing allergy kits as there is no scientific evidence to show that they are safe or accurate.
Explanation
You may have seen tests that you can buy to test yourself for different allergies. Although these commercial allergy tests claim to use the same method of testing for antibodies that your doctor would use, the Royal College of Pathologists recommends that they shouldn't be used as there is little scientific evidence to show that they are reliable.
When you see your GP for allergy testing, he or she will ask about your symptoms and about your medical history to help in making the diagnosis. If you do the test yourself there is no chance for your GP to consider what else may be causing your allergic symptoms. It's also possible that the test may give a false result, either positive suggesting that you have an allergy when actually you don't, or negative implying that you aren't allergic to something when really you are. This can put your health at risk.
There are also many companies and complementary practitioners who advertise allergy testing using a variety of methods. These include stimulating acupuncture points, measuring muscle responses and monitoring changes in your pulse when certain allergens are introduced. Some postal services ask you to send in samples of your blood, hair or urine. Some of these are very expensive. There is no evidence to show that any of these forms of testing are accurate.
Always speak to your GP before using a commercial allergy test or going for an allergy test.
Sources
- Allergy and allergy tests. A guide for patients. Royal College of Pathologists. www.rcpath.org, accessed 9 May 2008
Can I have the flu vaccine if I am allergic to eggs?
The flu vaccine is produced by growing a strain of the virus inside hens' eggs. Therefore, although the flu vaccine doesn't actually contain any egg, it's still likely that you won't be able to have it.
Explanation
To produce the flu vaccine, a strain of the virus is placed inside a hen's egg and left to grow. It's then killed and purified. The vaccine doesn't actually contain egg but it may have been contaminated with egg products. It's likely that your GP will advise you not to have the flu vaccine, unless you are particularly at risk of complications if you develop flu. If you decide to have the vaccine, you will probably be given it in hospital so you can receive emergency treatment if you do have a severe reaction. It's possible that you may be tested for egg allergy before being given the vaccine.
Sources
- Egg allergy. The Anaphylaxis Campaign. www.anaphylaxis.org.uk, accessed 7 May 2008
- Influenza. The disease and vaccine. NHS Immunisation Information. www.immunisation.nhs.uk, accessed 28 April 2008
Related topics
This information was published by Bupa's health information team and is based on reputable sources of medical evidence. It has been peer reviewed by Bupa doctors. It has also been reviewed by The Anaphylaxis Campaign. The content is intended for general information only and does not replace the need for personal advice from a qualified health professional.
Publication date: November 2008
Egg allergy factsheet
Visit the egg allergy health factsheet for more information.
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