Egg Allergy and Urticaria (Hives): What to Do When Hives Appear After Eating

Typical course

Within minutes to two hours after eating egg or food containing egg, red hives of different sizes appear on the skin, with clear itching. They may be limited to around the mouth and face, or spread over the whole body. The hives usually fade within a few hours, but they may come and go.

What to do at the time

• Stop eating the suspected food at once and rinse your mouth with water
• Check whether there is difficulty breathing, tightness in the throat, a hoarse voice, vomiting, dizziness or other signs
• If any of these appear, call 120 (the emergency number in China) at once and follow the emergency plan
• If there are only local hives, avoid scratching and avoid washing with hot water. A cold compress may ease the itching. Contact a doctor to assess what to do next

Why it can come back

Food is not the only trigger for urticaria (hives). Infection, medicines and physical factors (heat, cold, pressure, exercise) may all play a part. To judge whether it is related to egg, you need to look at what was eaten and when the symptoms started. It is a good idea to keep a symptom diary and take it to your appointment. The doctor will decide whether tests are needed and how to plan your diet.

This article is for general information only and is not medical advice. Please follow your doctor's instructions.