What is an egg intolerance?

If you have an egg intolerance, your body will react adversely to its consumption. You might find that your digestive system is sensitive to just the yolk, egg white, or both and that you suffer the onset of symptoms such as bloating, an upset stomach, or a hives-type rash. Even though it’s one of the most common food sensitivities in the US, it’s frequently misunderstood and often gets mixed up with an egg allergy. Here we take a closer look at the difference between the two conditions, what to do if you suspect you are intolerant to eggs, and how to find out for sure.

How is an egg intolerance different from an egg allergy?

If you have an egg intolerance, your body will have difficulty digesting this type of food and you’ll suffer a physical reaction. As much as the symptoms of food sensitivity can be unpleasant and make you feel unwell, they’re not life-threatening and should subside with rest or medication you have at home.

An egg allergy is different because it is caused by the immune system attacking the egg proteins that your body can’t tolerate. If you have this condition, you’ll have a serious allergic reaction shortly after consuming eggs. You may notice that you have an itchy rash or swelling around your face, or if your allergy is extremely serious, anaphylaxis can be triggered. This can cause the sufferer to stop breathing and lose consciousness so needs to be treated as a medical emergency.

Are egg intolerance symptoms different from symptoms of an egg allergy?

If you have an egg intolerance, you’ll more than likely experience symptoms associated with your digestive system such as cramps, bloating and nausea. Of course, these aren’t the only physical reactions you could suffer from, and vary from person to person. Headaches and fatigue, for example, are common if you have a food sensitivity, as is a feeling of fogginess. Regardless of the symptoms you have, they tend to occur several hours or even days after eating eggs or other offending foods. An egg allergy is different in that symptoms can occur very quickly and are much more acute.

How do I know if I have an egg intolerance?

If you’ve noticed feeling unwell after eating eggs, it’s worth finding out if you have an intolerance so you can reassess your diet. You could try eliminating eggs from your meals to see if your symptoms subside, or you could take a food sensitivity test and find out if your body is having difficulty digesting certain items. This involves sending a few strands of hair with a submission form to the US Food Intolerance lab. Your cells will then be tested against different items to see how they react, and a full report will be sent to you within three working days. Once you understand how your body responds to the food you put into it, you’ll be able to rethink your diet and begin to research alternative ingredients to improve your health and well-being.

Don’t rule out medical advice.

Although food intolerance tests are an efficient way to investigate whether you’re sensitive to certain items, they shouldn’t replace medical advice. If you’re concerned about the symptoms you’re experiencing, or they persist even after you’ve eliminated eggs from your diet, it’s worth speaking to a doctor. Food sensitivities can be more difficult to diagnose in babies and young children, so if you notice they have an upset stomach after eating eggs, keep a food diary to record any reoccurring symptoms. If you notice a pattern, speak to a pediatrician who can help to get the food sensitivity diagnosed.

To find out more about having a food intolerance test, please have a look at the FAQs page on our website or email any questions you have to [email protected]. You can also fill out your details on our contact form and we will aim to reply within two working days.