What should I do if my child has an egg allergy?
Egg allergy is one of the most common food allergies in children, especially in children under 2 years. Here I talk about how to spot an egg allergy, and share practical tips on how to keep your child safe and healthy if they have one.
What causes egg allergy?
If you have an egg allergy, your immune system reacts to proteins found in egg yolk, egg white, or both. This allergic reaction can happen within minutes, or it may be delayed and happen within 48 hours (or even longer).
Signs of egg allergy are most common in early childhood, when it affects up to 1 in 50 children. It’s much less common in adults.
Egg allergy can affect people in different ways. For example, many children with an egg allergy can eat well-cooked eggs, such as those baked in a cake. They’ll only have an allergic reaction if they eat lightly cooked egg (for example, scrambled egg).
But some children are allergic to all forms of egg, whether they’re cooked or raw. Very sensitive children might have a reaction on their skin if they touch raw egg or eggshell. And some infants may react to very small (trace) amounts in breast milk. It’s important that these children avoid all products that contain egg. If you’re breastfeeding, this also means you need to exclude egg from your diet.
What are the signs of egg allergy in children?
Most allergic reactions to egg are mild. Your child will usually start to show symptoms soon after eating or drinking something that contains egg. These symptoms include:
- a rash or red bumps (hives) around the mouth
- swelling of their lips, eyes, and face
- eczema
- diarrhoea
- being sick (vomiting)
If you think your child has an egg allergy, speak to a GP. They’ll be able to refer you to an allergy specialist who can assess your child and recommend the best possible care.
Some children will have a very serious (anaphylactic) allergic reaction to egg. This is a medical emergency. Call 999 immediately and ask for an ambulance if your child:
- is struggling to breathe or breathing noisily (wheezing)
- is coughing
- becomes pale and floppy
- feels dizzy
- has a swollen tongue
It’s very important to see a GP as soon as possible if you think your child might have an egg allergy. They will probably refer your child to an allergy clinic for further tests.
Can a child with egg allergy be given vaccines?
Some vaccines contain traces of egg and shouldn’t be given to children who have an egg allergy. This includes the yellow fever vaccine and the standard flu vaccine. But there are types of flu vaccine that can be given to your child if they have an egg allergy. A GP or nurse will be able to give you more information about these vaccines.
The MMR vaccine is considered safe for children with an egg allergy.
Can a child outgrow an egg allergy?
Yes, most children outgrow their egg allergy. A GP can refer you to a specialist who can check if your child still has an egg allergy. It’s very important that you don’t try and test this yourself at home.
What foods should you avoid giving a child with an egg allergy?
Your doctor and allergy specialist can help you to understand the type of egg your child needs to avoid. If your child has an egg allergy, they might be allergic to:
- raw egg – for example, in mayonnaise or cake batter
- slightly cooked eggs – for example, soft-boiled eggs, scrambled eggs, and homemade pancakes
- well-cooked eggs – for example, in some cakes, biscuits, and pasta
You should check the food labels of the foods you buy to make sure that they don’t contain egg. By law in the UK, all packaged foods that contain egg must clearly list it in the ingredients, no matter how small the amount.
If your child is allergic to hen’s eggs, you should also avoid giving them other bird eggs, such as duck, goose, or quail eggs.
Once you understand their allergy, you can keep them safe and make sure they get all the nutrients they need. You could also speak to a dietitian for advice. A dietitian can provide advice on which forms of egg your child needs to avoid. They can discuss with you:
- whether a tolerance to egg has developed
- whether any forms of egg can be reintroduced
- your child’s diet
- how to ensure your child gets the nutrients they need to grow and develop
How can I help my child with an egg allergy?
As well as looking at food labels, there are lots of other things you can do to make sure that your child stays safe.
- Tell restaurant staff that your child has an egg allergy when you’re eating out or ordering takeaway food. By law, businesses that sell food are required to provide information if they use certain allergens as ingredients – including eggs.
- Check your supermarket’s website. They usually have a list of products that they stock that don’t include egg.
- Look at the ‘Free from’ ranges in the supermarket aisles to find egg-free versions of products such as cakes and mayonnaise.
- Find egg-free recipes by searching online or using egg-free cookbooks.
Coping with your child's egg allergy
It can be worrying to finding out that your child has an allergy. But it’s important to remember that your child’s medical team are there to support you and your child. Don’t hesitate to ask them for help if you need it.
Here at Bupa we understand how important your family is. So with our family health insurance you can rest assured knowing that eligible treatment and support is available to you and your loved ones when you need it.
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Sources Sources
- Egg allergy: the facts. Anaphylaxis UK. anaphylaxis.org.uk, published January 2023
- Egg allergy. Allergy UK. allergyuk.org, published July 2021
- Allergy in children. BSACI. bsaci.org, accessed March 2025
- Outgrowing a food allergy. Anaphylaxis UK. anaphylaxis.org.uk, published September 2020
- Food allergy and intolerance. Food Standards Agency. food.gov.uk, last updated December 2024
- Food Allergy: Supermarket Information. Beat Anaphylaxis. beatanaphylaxis.co.uk, accessed March 2025
- Food allergy: how common is it? NICE Clinical Knowledge Summaries. cks.nice.org.uk, last revised July 2024
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