Egg Allergy

An egg allergy is a common type of food allergy. Your immune system overreacts to proteins in eggs. Hen (chicken) eggs are the most common cause of an egg allergy. However, other animal eggs, including duck, turkey or quail, may cause your immune system to overreact.

An egg allergy can be fatal. If you have severe allergic reaction symptoms, such as swelling in your throat, call 911 (or your local emergency number), or go to the emergency room (ER) immediately.

How common is an egg allergy?

Egg allergy is the second most common food allergy in children. But healthcare providers estimate that around 2% of children are allergic to eggs, so it’s still relatively rare. It’s more common in children than adults.

However, around half of children will develop an egg tolerance by age 5, and up to 70% will outgrow their egg allergy by age 16. About 70% of egg-allergic children may be able to ingest egg protein in extensively heated (baked) products.