Most egg-allergic patients will ultimately outgrow their allergy over time. However, new studies suggest that in addition to an overall increase in food allergies over the past 20 years, there appears to be progressive delays in the development of tolerance in these individuals. We have known for several years that the majority (up to 70%) of egg-allergic patients can tolerate egg in an extensively heated (baked) form. What was not clear is whether eating baked egg would help or hinder the person’s natural ability to outgrow their egg allergy. Furthermore, more studies needed to be done to determine which patients might be tolerant of baked egg and whether performing oral challenges with baked egg would be safe. Until now, the majority of baked egg challenges have been offered as part of a clinical trial and have been performed in hospital settings. In the latest issue of the Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, new data from the Jaffe Food Allergy Institute at the Mount Sinai Medical Center provides helpful information regarding which patients are eligible for baked egg challenges and that open challenges are safe to do in an allergy office.
Allegy & Asthma Care of Fairfield County is pleased to begin offering baked egg challenges in our office for those that are eligible based on their past history and testing results. We are thrilled to be able to offer this service to our egg-allergic patients. For those that pass, this will not only benefit them by expanding their diet, leading to positive effects on nutrition and quality of life, but may also accelerate the development of tolerance to egg in all forms. Please call to schedule an appointment to see if a baked egg challenge is appropriate for you or your child. Do not try baked egg at home, as some egg allergic patients can have severe reactions.
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