Chicken Allergy: A Rare But Serious Condition

Chicken allergies are rare, with a worldwide prevalence ranging from 0-13%. Chicken allergies are less common than fish and seafood allergies, and they can affect both adults and children. Chicken allergies can cause a range of symptoms, from mild to severe, including gastrointestinal issues, swelling, rashes, and, in rare cases, anaphylaxis. If you suspect you have a chicken allergy, it is important to consult a doctor for diagnosis and advice on management and treatment.

Chicken allergy symptoms

Chicken allergies are rare, but they can cause uncomfortable or even dangerous symptoms. Chicken allergies can be minor or very severe, and symptoms can occur up to several hours after exposure. If you suspect you have a chicken allergy, it is recommended that you talk to your doctor.

Symptoms of a chicken allergy include:

• Urticaria (hives), redness, and rash
• Gastrointestinal symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, stomach cramps, and diarrhoea
• Coughing
• Runny nose and sore throat
• Abdominal cramping and chest tightness
• Angioedema
• Asthma
• Anaphylaxis

If you experience any of these symptoms after eating chicken, you should avoid chicken and possibly eggs until the cause of the allergy is determined by an allergist. If your allergy is due to bird-egg syndrome, you could be at risk of a severe allergic reaction.

If your allergic reactions are severe, your doctor can work with you to safely manage your allergy. Antihistamines can be used to treat symptoms, and for more severe allergic reactions, an epinephrine auto-injector (EpiPen) can be used.

Chicken allergy causes

Chicken allergies are rare, with a worldwide prevalence ranging from 0-13%. Chicken allergies can occur in people of any age, but they are most often seen in adolescents and young adults. People with chicken allergies may experience mild symptoms and discomfort after eating or touching chicken, but some people may develop severe reactions that require immediate medical attention.

Chicken allergies can be categorized as primary (genuine) food allergies and secondary food allergies occurring due to cross-reactivity. Primary chicken allergies are caused by a heat-resistant meat allergen that enters the intestinal mucosa when chicken is ingested. The reaction usually starts within 30 minutes of exposure to the allergen.

Chicken and turkey meat are highly cross-reactive and responsible for the majority of allergic reactions. Cross-reactivity of various avian serum albumin and intake of raw or soft-boiled egg yolk can trigger oral and gastrointestinal allergic reactions. Chicken allergies may also be linked to other bird allergies, including bird-egg syndrome, which occurs when a person eats undercooked or raw egg yolks or inhales feathers or particles from a chicken.

People with chicken allergies may also be allergic to other related substances, such as chicken feathers and other poultry. They may need to avoid certain domestic products, such as feather-filled pillows, and some vaccinations, such as the yellow fever vaccine, which contains chicken protein.

If you suspect you have a chicken allergy, it is important to talk to your doctor. They can recommend over-the-counter antihistamines to treat your symptoms or suggest an elimination diet to determine if chicken is causing your symptoms.

Chicken allergy diagnosis

Chicken allergies are rare, but they do exist. Chicken allergies can occur in people of any age, and it is possible to outgrow them. If you suspect you have a chicken allergy, it is important to talk to your doctor. They can help you determine whether your symptoms are due to an allergy or intolerance and prescribe appropriate treatments or medications.

Diagnosis

There are a few ways to diagnose a chicken allergy. One way is to perform an allergy skin test, which can help identify if you have an allergy to chicken meat or other allergens. Another way is to do a blood test, which can detect the presence of antibodies that your body makes in response to an allergen. Your doctor may also recommend an elimination diet, where you remove chicken from your diet for a period to see if your symptoms improve.

Symptoms

The symptoms of a chicken allergy can vary from mild to severe. Mild symptoms may include a runny nose, sore throat, or stomach distress. More severe symptoms can include anaphylaxis, a dangerous whole-body reaction that requires immediate medical attention. Other severe symptoms include ampholytic shock, which closes your throat and airways, as well as swelling of the lips, tongue, and throat.

Management

If you have a chicken allergy, it is important to avoid chicken in your diet and be aware of other triggers, such as chicken feathers, that may be in your environment. Hypoallergenic pillows that do not contain feathers can be used to avoid allergic reactions at home. It is also important to discuss your allergy with your doctor before taking any vaccines, as some may contain chicken protein and trigger an allergic reaction.

Cross-Reactivity

Chicken allergies may be linked to other bird allergies, including eggs. This is known as bird-egg syndrome and can be triggered by eating undercooked or raw egg yolks or inhaling feathers or particles from a chicken. Chicken allergies have also been found to have a close relationship with fish and shellfish allergies due to cross-reactive homologous allergens.

Chicken allergy treatment

Chicken allergies are rare, but they can cause uncomfortable or even life-threatening symptoms. If you suspect you have a chicken allergy, it is recommended to talk to your doctor. They may advise you to take an over-the-counter antihistamine to treat your symptoms or recommend an elimination diet to determine if chicken is causing your symptoms.

If you experience a life-threatening allergic reaction after consuming chicken, call emergency services and then visit a certified allergist for a personalised treatment plan. An allergist can help you manage your symptoms and prescribe medications to help you in case you accidentally trigger your allergy.

If you have an allergy to chicken, you should avoid it entirely. Chicken dishes are undeniably one of the most popular foods worldwide, so it is important to always be aware of what you are eating. Chicken broth, for example, is a common ingredient in soups. Chicken has also become a popular substitute for red meat, so you may find it ground like hamburger meat in dishes such as meatballs, chilli, and meatloaf.

Chicken allergies can also be triggered by chicken feathers. If you are allergic to chicken feathers, comforters or pillows containing goose down may trigger an allergic reaction. Hypoallergenic pillows do not contain down. Before taking any vaccines, discuss your allergy with your doctor. Certain vaccines might trigger an allergic reaction, such as the yellow fever vaccine, which contains chicken protein. If you have bird-egg syndrome, you may not be able to take the live influenza vaccine.

Chicken allergy triggers

Chicken allergies are rare, with a worldwide prevalence ranging from 0-13%. Chicken allergies can occur at any age, and symptoms can range from mild to severe. The allergy is usually triggered within 30 minutes of exposure, and symptoms can include oral symptoms, as well as moderate systemic reactions in the skin and gastrointestinal tract.

Meat

The most common trigger of a chicken allergy is chicken meat. The allergy is caused by a heat-resistant meat allergen that enters the intestinal mucosa when chicken is ingested. The allergen can also be inhaled as vapors during cooking or come into contact with the skin.

Eggs

Chicken eggs can also cause an allergic reaction. This allergy is known as bird-egg syndrome and occurs when a person eats undercooked or raw egg yolks. However, it is important to note that a person with a primary allergy to chicken meat may not necessarily be allergic to chicken eggs.

Feathers

Chicken feathers can trigger an allergic reaction. This can occur through direct contact with feathers or by inhaling particles from a chicken. People with a chicken feather allergy may also react to goose down in comforters or pillows.

Vaccines

Certain vaccines may contain chicken protein and trigger an allergic reaction. For example, the yellow fever vaccine has been known to cause reactions in people with chicken allergies.

Other Poultry

People with a chicken allergy may also be allergic to other poultry, including turkey, goose, duck, and other domestic birds.

Frequently asked questions