flu shot/egg allergy

Re: flu shot/egg allergy

• Mrs.tlcS member

  September 2009

  DD got her first flu shot at 6 months old - before we ever introduced egg.

  Egg allergy is not generally considered (anymore) to be a contraindication to getting a flu shot.  If you are concerned about it, you can consult an allergist for flu shot sensitization.
  

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• WYEngTeacher member

  September 2009

  My DD did have an allergic reaction (just hives) to the flu shot and we consider the cause to be the egg protein. She was only "borderline" allergic to eggs when she had allergy testing (she does have a milk allergy), but since then she also broke out in hives from a salad dressing that contained egg. Anyway, we are taking her for special flu shot allergy testing, at the allergist's urging. However, I wouldn't be concerned unless your DCs have other allergies. It's not like everyone can be tested before they get it.?

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• KevinsBride04

  September 2009

  My DS is 12 months and just tested positive for an egg allergy on Monday. His allergist does not feel it is safe for him to get the flu shot this year because of the allergy and his age. He feels the risks outweigh the benefits this year. I'm not thrilled about him not getting a flu shot, but I trust the allergist's recommendation. He has years of experience and has been voted one of the best doctors in our city. I guess it depends on the doctor. An allergy is an allergy...there is no difference in severity. A reaction of hives one time could result in swelling or airway obstruction at the next exposure. It is not a linear progression.?

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• WYEngTeacher member

  September 2009

  KevinsBride04:

  My DS is 12 months and just tested positive for an egg allergy on Monday. His allergist does not feel it is safe for him to get the flu shot this year because of the allergy and his age. He feels the risks outweigh the benefits this year. I'm not thrilled about him not getting a flu shot, but I trust the allergist's recommendation. He has years of experience and has been voted one of the best doctors in our city. I guess it depends on the doctor. An allergy is an allergy...there is no difference in severity. A reaction of hives one time could result in swelling or airway obstruction at the next exposure. It is not a linear progression.

  I'm guessing you said this b/c of my "borderline" statement. Just to clarify - I meant that her skin test was so minor that it was only borderline postive, and then after her blood test, her IgE levels were so low that she was considered negative for the allergy. However, like I said, I've still been very leery of egg b/c of the reaction to that dressing as well as the flu shot last year. This is why we're going ahead with specific flu shot allergy testing this year.

  I get what you mean about "an allergy is an allergy," but I don't actually think you're right about there not being a difference in severity. I do believe it is a linear progression of sorts... I have done a lot of research myself and spoken at length with DD's allergist, and actually I think quite the contrary to your statement is true - one can have a very minor allergy in which they only break out in hives, or one can have a very severe allergy in which they need epinephrine just to make it to the ER. This can partially be determined by IgE level. However, repeated exposures can increase the severity of an allergy over time, which is perhaps the point you were trying to make? (i.e. DD's milk allergy is minor when you look at her IgE levels, but we are still very careful to avoid exposures because we hope for her to outgrow it rather than get worse). We do carry an epi-pen just in case, but I don't think the type of reaction is as random as you make it sound.

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