Cooked egg home introduction

Please read the whole of this resource before starting a home introduction of well-cooked egg.

This resource will guide you through introducing well-cooked egg at home. If your child has individual needs, your child’s dietitian or doctor will explain this for you.

Many children with egg allergy grow out of it in early life. As the allergy improves with time, many children will initially tolerate well-cooked egg products before they can eat lightly cooked or raw egg.

Introduction of well-cooked egg can be started once your child has been confirmed as tolerating baked egg and has been eating a selection of baked egg foods regularly. This stage of egg introduction will test if your child can tolerate egg in larger amounts. You should introduce cooked egg over a period of weeks, rather than over 1 day as you may have seen happening in hospital.

Which foods should I introduce?

In part 1 you start by making pancakes containing 1 egg using the recipe which is further down this resource.

Following the instructions below, your child will gradually eat more of the pancake over several days. You can also use plain shop-bought crepe style pancakes (without chocolate chips) as an alternative. Make sure any shop-bought products do not contain any other ingredients that your child may be allergic to.

This stage of the introduction is complete once your child can tolerate 1 whole pancake.

Once your child can eat a whole pancake you can then progress onto part 2, where well-cooked scrambled egg or omelette is gradually introduced (see recipes further down this resource).

This stage of the introduction is complete once your child is eating a portion of scrambled egg or omelette which you think is the right size for them (their own portion size). Aim for a whole egg to be eaten, though smaller babies and toddlers may manage slightly less.

How do I do the introduction?

Part 1: pancakes

If you child is unwell, do not start the introduction until they feel better.

Have your child’s usual medicine to treat reactions available just in case.

Days 1 and 2

Give your child a pea sized amount of pancake once a day as long as they have no symptoms.

Days 3 and 4

Give your child a 16^th of a pancake once a day for 2 days.

Days 5 and 6

Then move on to give your child an 8^th of a pancake once a day for 2 days.

Days 7 to 14

Give your child a quarter of a pancake once a day for 7 days.

Week 3

Give your child half of a pancake once a day for 3 days, or on 3 occasions over a week.

Week 4

Give your child 1 whole pancake once a day for 3 days, or on 3 occasions over a week.

You may stay at each stage for longer than as shown above, but do not increase to the next stage more quickly. Try to give the portion every day in weeks 1 and 2. If you miss several days, such as if your child is unwell, give them a smaller dose when you restart and build up.

Do not increase the dose if your child is unwell. Keep them at the same dose that they have already been tolerating.

Once your child is managing a whole pancake 2 times per week for a few months you can start part 2.

Part 2: scrambled egg or omelette

If you child is unwell, do not start the introduction until they feel better.

Have child’s usual antihistamine medicine available just in case.

Each day cook a portion of scrambled egg or omelette, make sure this does not contain any other ingredients that your child may be allergic to (such as cows milk).

Day 1

Rub a small piece of egg on the inner part of your child’s lips.

Watch your child closely for 30 minutes, allow the child to continue normal activities. Look out for Itching, redness, swelling, hives (nettle-sting type rash).

Days 2 and 3

Repeat the Day 1 instructions each day if no symptoms of allergy.

Day 4

If still no symptoms of allergy, give your child a small bite of the cooked egg, around a pea sized amount.

Days 5 and 6

Give them a 16^th of the portion once a day for 2 days.

Days 7 and 8

Then move on to give your child an 8^th of a portion once a day for 2 days.

Days 9 to 14

Give your child a quarter of a portion once a day for 6 days.

Week 3

Give your child half of a portion once a day for 3 days, or on 3 occasions over a week.

Week 4

Give your child 1 whole portion once a day for 3 days, or on 3 occasions over a week.

Once your child can eat a portion of cooked egg without any reaction, then your child should continue to eat cooked whole egg. Do not worry if your child does not like to eat eggs – this is quite common.

You may stay at each stage for longer than as shown above, but do not increase to the next stage more quickly. Try to give the dose every day. If you miss several days, such as if your child is unwell, give them a smaller dose when you restart and build up.

Do not increase the dose if your child is unwell. Keep them at the same dose that they have already been tolerating.

What if my child has a reaction?

Symptoms of a reaction can occur quickly, such as within 5 to 10 minutes, but can occur up to 2 hours after the last dose. Signs of an allergic reaction to watch out for include:

• itching
• redness
• swelling
• hives (nettle-sting type rash)
• being sick
• wheezing

If you notice these, treat your child as per their allergy plan. Stop introducing cooked egg but continue tolerated baked egg foods. If they have been tolerating pancakes but then react to scrambled egg or omelette, continue to give them pancakes or egg noodles regularly.

If your child gets mild tummy upset or eczema flare then increasing the amount of egg more slowly than above should help with these symptoms.

Recipes

These are the recipes for how we recommend introducing cooked egg.

Part 1: Pancake (makes 8 child-sized pancakes)

• 100g plain flour (this can be gluten free if your child has a wheat allergy)
• 1 large egg
• 300ml full-fat cows milk (or your child’s usual plant-based milk)
• 1 tablespoon of vegetable oil (plus extra for frying)

1. Mix the ingredients in a bowl with a whisk or fork, adding the milk gradually until you have a smooth batter
2. Heat a small amount of vegetable oil in a frying pan
3. Once hot carefully pour the mixture into the pan and allow to cook
4. Once the edges begin to lift and brown slightly turn the pancake over using a spatula and cook on the other side
5. Make sure the pancake is cooked well on both sides before putting on the plate
6. Allow to cool slightly, then give your child the correct dose for that day

You can use up all the mixture to make the pancakes, then stack them up with greaseproof paper between each one, wrap them in clingfilm and freeze them.

Part 2: scrambled egg

• 1 large egg
• half a tablespoon of milk (cow’s milk or unsweetened plant-based milk)
• 1 teaspoon butter or vegetable spread

1. Crack the egg into a small bowl, add the milk and whisk until well mixed
2. Heat the butter or spread in a small non-stick saucepan until it melts
3. Add the egg and cook over a low heat, stirring continuously, until it scrambles
4. Remove from the heat when all the egg is cooked but not too rubbery. There should be no wet egg in the mixture
5. Allow to cool slightly, then give your child the correct dose for that day

Part 2: omelette

• 1 large egg
• 1 tablespoon of vegetable oil

1. Crack the egg into a bowl and whisk
2. Warm the oil in a small non stick frying pan
3. Add the egg and cook over a low heat without stirring
4. Remove from the heat when the egg is set and the base is golden
5. Remove from the pan and allow to cool slightly. Cut the omelette in half and check there is no wet egg in the middle or on the top of the omelette
6. Give your child the correct dose for that day