Can symptoms of egg allergies affect our Elgin area patients who choose egg substitutes?

Can symptoms of egg allergies affect our Elgin area patients who choose egg substitutes?

Food allergies can present frustrating problems. We tend to have our own set ways of eating, and foods that we enjoy. Facing an allergy in ourselves or a loved one forces us to get creative in our efforts to maintain safety while ensuring adequate nutrition. Let’s not forget that food also delivers certain sensory and social pleasures. For people with egg allergies, in particular, this can be a challenge.

Symptoms of egg allergies

In our offices in Elgin and Crystal Lake, we see a number of children present with symptoms of egg allergies. These may include:

  • Atopic dermatitis such as eczema, hives, or rash
  • Angioedema, or swelling in the tongue, lips, or face
  • Runny nose, coughing, or wheezing
  • Allergic conjunctivitis, or redness, itching, and watering of the eyes
  • Anaphylaxis, which is a severe reaction requiring immediate medical care

Avoidance may be tricky

Food allergies are only manageable, not curable. Children and adults who are diagnosed with a food allergy typically work with an allergist, and sometimes a nutritionist, to develop dietary habits that enable them to avoid trigger foods. In the case of eggs, this means looking for hidden sources.

Obviously, a person with an egg allergy will not eat custard, meringue, quiche, or other recipes that clearly contain egg. At the same time, care must be taken to read ingredient lists. Eggs are commonly found in processed foods such as noodles, cereal, pastries, bread, and crackers. Egg “substitutes,” as well, also contain egg. The purpose of these products is not to avoid eggs altogether, but to offer a low-cholesterol alternative to whole eggs.

Choosing wisely

There are egg substitutes that do NOT contain any egg product. However, many contain ingredients such as soy or other substances that are also considered allergens to some people.

At Advanced Allergy & Asthma Associates, we perform thorough testing to identify food allergies. Our patients receive the full support they need to develop healthy habits that do not leave them feeling deprived due to their food allergies. Also, further testing may be done in the future to see if the body has developed a mechanism to tolerate the trigger food, which can happen with eggs and certain other foods.

Get the help you need from an experienced allergy specialist. Call one of our Illinois offices for a consultation.

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Advanced Allergy & Asthma Associates

Meredith Cirrincione | Dr. Noga Askenazi

Amy Schack, a distinguished board-certified Physician Associate, brings a wealth of expertise to patient care. Specializing in allergic rhinitis, sinusitis, asthma, and rashes, Amy is renowned for her commitment to excellence and compassionate approach. With a background in immediate care and orthopedics, she holds a Master's in Physician Assistant studies from Midwestern University and a Bachelor of Science from Northern Illinois University. A member of esteemed professional associations, including the American Academy of Physician Assistants and the Association of PAs in Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology, Amy Schack instills confidence, ensuring you can trust her unwavering dedication to your health and well-being.


Meredith Cirrincione is a board certified Physician Assistant and specializes in treating allergies, with a focus on asthma, rashes, environmental allergies, chemical and food allergies. She holds a Masters in Physician Assistant Studies from The Chicago Medical School - Rosalind Franklin University of Health Sciences. She is a Fellow member of the American Academy of Physician Assistants, the Illinois Academy of Physician Assistants, and the Association of PAs in Allergy, Asthma and Immunology. She likes to approach things holistically. She is a strong patient advocate and adored by her patients. She enjoys singing, reading, cooking, and the great outdoors.


Dr. Noga Askenazi is a nationally recognized asthma and allergy specialist who is board certified in pediatric and adult allergy. Her areas of special interest are innovative treatment of rashes, sinusitis, food allergies, asthma and immune disorders. She was past President of the ISAAI (Illinois Society of Allergy, Asthma, & Immunology), works on state and national committees for advancement of the allergy field and is a consultant for Advocate, Ascension Health, Northwestern amongst other health care systems. Her joy is helping patients reach their goals after together determining best treatments. Her staff and patients are a chosen family, and she invests in their happiness. She enjoys gardening, biking and cooking to good music.