Egg allergy is a type of an allergy which develops when the immune system of the body overreacts and becomes sensitized to proteins present in egg yolks or whites. In such an allergy, when a person eats eggs, the body sees the protein as a foreign substance or invader and gives out signals to defend itself against eggs.
The chemicals sent out for defense cause symptoms of an allergic reaction. Some of the common symptoms of an egg allergy include stomach pain, respiratory problems, skin reactions like rashes and hives, and anaphylaxis.
Let’s look into the symptoms of egg allergies in detail:
- Difficulty in breathing and wheezing is one of the most common symptoms of this allergy.
- In some cases, people with this allergy may also experience watery eyes, sneezing and a runny nose.
- Besides stomach pain, people may also experience nausea, diarrhea and vomiting.
Diagnosis of egg allergy is usually done by a blood test or a skin prick test. In some cases, the doctor may also order an oral food challenge. A food elimination diet may also help determine this allergy.
If you or someone you know if suffering from an egg allergy, then the best way to manage or treat it is to either avoid eating eggs or use egg alternatives in your diet. The following is some more information about substitutes of eggs:
Egg Substitutes for Baking
Eggs are most commonly used for baking cakes, cookies and other bakery products. If you are suffering from an egg allergy, then you must choose a good alternative to it and some of them include apple sauce, banana and certain mixtures.
- Applesauce use ¼ cup applesauce as a substitute to one egg in a baking recipe.
- Banana for one egg, use ½ a banana as a substitute or alternative in a baking recipe.
- Mixtures can take the place of one single egg and some of the mixtures are
- 1 teaspoon yeast dissolved in 1/4 cup warm water
- 1 tablespoon vinegar, 1 tablespoon water and 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1 tablespoon ground flax seed mixed in 3 tablespoons warm water
- 1 1/2 tablespoons oil, 1 1/2 tablespoons water and 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1 packet gelatin mixed in 2 tablespoons warm water
- You can combine one teaspoon of baking powder with one tablespoon of any liquid along with one tablespoon of vinegar. This combination also works well to replace one egg.
- Another amazing substitute of an egg is mixing one teaspoon of yeast into 1/4th cup of warm water.
- There are some people who also prefer to replace eggs by using a mixture consisting of one and a half tablespoons of water and one and a half tablespoons of oil with one teaspoon of baking powder.
- Another brilliant substitute of or alternative of egg is a tablespoon of pureed fruit such as bananas or apples.