Dear Mamas,
My 3 year old has allergy to raw eggs (boiled, fried, scrambled, etc.), but not to baked/processed eggs (cake, cookies, noodle are fine). Today the teacher at the school asked me whether it is o.k. for him to dye easter eggs (not eating, just dye on the eggshell of hard boiled eggs). I said that should be fine because I did not want to deprive him of fun other kids will have just for the sake of extreme, maybe unnecessary caution. I just need your confirmation. Does anybody think different than me?
Thanks!
Is it just an ingestion allergy, or does he react via skin contact &/or inhalation as well?
Gloves (kid sized/adult xxs nitrile.... the stretchy non latex gloves used in hospitals) can help negate skin contact.
I am sensitive to eggs, but can eat them in cakes, cookies but NOT egg noddles since there is way too much egg and not enough other stuff.
I have never had issues dying eggs, as long as they are not being eaten.
Both my granddaughter and I have lots of allergies. My granddaughter was tested allergic to eggs when she was a baby and has since outgrown the allergy. When she was still allergic she could eat baked products that contained eggs. I suggest that it's because there is so little egg in each serving.
Being allergic to eggs does not include the shell. The egg its self and the shell are made of different things. Also, as you say, he won't be eating the shell. There is no need to prevent him from coloring eggs.
My daughter has an egg allergy but can handle holding an uncracked egg. As long as she doesn't touch the egg yoke and egg white she's fine. The outside shell is harmless to her.
But to be safe, test it at home. Let him handle an egg for a few minutes. If he has a reaction, you'll know.
My son is very allergic to eating eggs (whites or yolks) and cannot even crack open an egg without getting a rash. But he CAN touch the outer shell and dye easter eggs. Hopefully yours can too!
Egg allergies are usually to the albumin protein that's found in the white part of the egg. Once it's cooked the protein is negated, which is why your daughter -- and a lot of other egg allergy sufferers - can eat baked goods. If the eggs are hard boiled, the protein will be gone so even if she breaks one open by mistake, she should be fine.
(but of course, if she has a really severe allergy that you think could be life threatening, I'd say no)
My daughter is alllergic to eggs alone but can tolerate them as part of a baked good -- she has dyed easter eggs for the last 2 years without problems. Hers is an ingestion allergy manifestation. Sounds similar to your situation! I say let him have fun!
Be aware that most vaccines have egg in them.... Go to the office before the 'well' visit and READ the package insert for EVERY shot that is on the recommended list. Read the ingredients, the listed side effects, who it was tested on.
The Vaccine Book by Dr. Robert Sears is also a pretty good one to have but what I like the best is going to www.nvic.org to find out the latest information on everything you should know.
I just asked my sons pediatric allergist this question today! He is 3 1/2 and has never dyed eggs due to his severe egg allergy. Dr. Said it was okay as long as the eggs weren't cracked. My son practically started crying he was so happy. I am extremely cautious as well, which Is why i have never even considered letting him dye eggs. He has an older brother and his allergy went down slightly, so that is the only reason I even entertained the idea this year. Just relay that info to the teacher and make sure benadryl a d epipen are handy to give you peace of mind.
