How old before eggs?

[NurseBean]

Is there a specific age that is recommended before giving children eggs? We had a sick 13month old in that had terrible diarrhea and vomiting. Couldn't keep down a drop. He was still breastfeeding but the mother admitted that she gave him some eggs for the first time at home before he got sick. Could it have been an allergy? Any other thoughts?

[NotReady4PrimeTime, RN]

It certainly could be an allergic reaction this little one had. The conventional wisdom for introducing eggs in a baby's diet says that if there is no family history of allergies, cooked egg YOLK can be introduced around six months and cooked egg WHITE at one year. Allergic reactions to eggs are usually almost immediate but can be delayed 2-4 hours and can encompass the usual GI symptoms of nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, tingling in the mouth or throat and abdominal pain. Typical "allergic" reactions such as rash, hives, itching, swelling, eczema and skin pigment changes may occur. And there may be respiratory system symptoms such as wheezing, coughing, nasal stuffiness, itchy watery eyes, coughing, gagging and retching. Anaphylactic reactions are life-threatening and require emergency care. Egg allergies are often outgrown by about 5-7 years of age, but may be life-long. There are lots of things that contain egg protein so people with egg allergies need to be label-readers. And we health care professionals need to be cautious with things like albumin, propofol, certain vaccines and some skin lotions.

[Elvish, BSN, DNP, RN, NP]

Maybe the eggs weren't cooked properly, or maybe they were contaminated?? Just a thought, as I'm not nearly the expert that Jan is. :)