New study sheds light on the daily struggles and fears faced by adults living with hen's egg white allergy, calling for urgent improvements in food labeling and treatment options. Study: Hen’s egg white allergy in adults leading to strong impairment of quality of life . Image Credit: iva / Shutterstock In a recent study published in the journal Scientific Reports , researchers investigated the health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in adults with hen's egg white allergy (EWA).
EWA is the second most prevalent food allergy (FA) in children, and it mostly resolves by school age. However, it is rare in adults and is described in case reports only. Research has identified two allergens in egg yolk (YGP42 and alpha-livetin) and four in egg white (lysozyme, ovotransferrin, ovomucoid, and ovalbumin).
Ovomucoid is considered the most clinically relevant component as it shows heat and gastric acid stability. Studies on therapies like biologics and oral immunotherapy report promising but conflicting findings. A total allergen elimination diet is pivotal for allergy management.
However, being constantly alert about allergens and fearing allergic reactions could interfere with emotional and social life. Anxiety and uncertainty have the highest impact on HRQoL in patients with FAs. About the Study Persistent Allergy: While egg white allergy often resolves by school age, this study found that a significant number of adults continue to experience symptoms well into adulthood, with 69% of .