| Most migraine sufferers will commonly identify | | | | suppositories or in nappy rash ointment, and if an |
| "Cheese, red wine and chocolate" as the most | | | | allergic reaction as severe as asthma or |
| common culprits to cause their problem. But in | | | | anaphylactic shock is possible, why not a |
| 1979 a surprising study on migraine in the | | | | migraine? |
| renowned Lancet journal revealed that eggs are | | | | The sad thing about small children and food |
| implicated as triggers(1). | | | | allergies is their inability to get across the point |
| In reality, eggs are a very common allergen. They | | | | that something is wrong. Also, misdiagnosis is |
| are also one of the most reliable to test for - | | | | common, due to the inability of parents or |
| unlike some foods, an intolerant person will return | | | | doctors to accurately track symptoms. |
| a positive test, just like an allergic person, if a | | | | A child who has repeatedly suffered a migraine |
| standard food skin test is given. Home tests are | | | | after eating ice cream, may be allergic to the |
| becoming popular despite the fact that they are | | | | eggs or milk in the product, so, a process of |
| not always reliable. | | | | elimination is necessary to define which is the |
| Unfortunately, egg is contained in many products | | | | culprit. |
| from baked produce to cake icing, the belief that | | | | Eggs are such a strong allergen that many |
| cooking renders it harmless is untrue! Children with | | | | doctors advocate not serving eggs to children |
| migraines are commonly allergic to eggs and at | | | | under two, as once an allergen is triggered, the |
| least two other trigger foods, and can gain relief | | | | body can build up a memory around it and it may |
| simply by cutting these foods out of their diet. | | | | cause you more grief down the line. |
| However, as eggs are an important source | | | | There are several foods that if avoided or given |
| protein, they should not be excluded from the | | | | very sparingly can prevent a red flag going up in |
| diet unless you are sure they're causing you a | | | | a child's immune system. Eggs are a bit of a |
| problem. A food intolerance test and trial exclusion | | | | conundrum, what with the yolk and the white - |
| for three weeks should give you enough evidence | | | | recently, studies have shown that while the yolk |
| to have a meaningful discussion with your qualified | | | | of the egg is high in cholesterol, the white contains |
| health professional as to whether exclusion will be | | | | the means to combat it. |
| beneficial. | | | | With no adverse reaction after 12 months, foods |
| One surprising place where egg is common is in | | | | can be introduced one at a time. Should the |
| vaccines(2). Measures have been taken to | | | | migraines return, it will be an indication of a major |
| combat exposure to egg by deriving the vaccines | | | | trigger, which you should then try to avoid. |
| from embryos, but recent developments seem | | | | Eggs are good for you - except when they're not! |
| to show that even the slightest exposure to | | | | References: |
| chicken products of any kind could be dangerous. | | | | (1) Grant ECG, "Food, Allergies and Migraine"; |
| For those who are highly sensitive even inhalation | | | | Lancet, May 5 1979;966-969 |
| could be a problem. Workers in a confectionery | | | | (2) Pediatrics in Review; 2006;27:118-119; © |
| factory breathing the powdered egg white used in | | | | 2006 American Academy of Pediatrics |
| the decorative icing suffered asthmatic attacks, | | | | (3) Blanco Carmona JG, Juste Picon S, Garces |
| so exposure to an egg allergen is possible even if | | | | Sotillos M, Rodriguez Gaston P; Occupational |
| you are avoiding eggs like the plague(3)! | | | | asthma in the confectionery industry caused by |
| Egg white can even be found in vaginal | | | | sensitivity to egg. |