Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsSymptomsRisk FactorsDiagnosisTreatmentWhat to AvoidAlternativesWhen to Seek CareFAQs
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Symptoms
Risk Factors
Diagnosis
Treatment
What to Avoid
Alternatives
When to Seek Care
FAQs
Allergiesresult from theimmune systemmistaking a specific substance, known as anallergen, as dangerous and begins to attack it. For people with a chicken allergy, this process occurs when they consume or come into contact with chicken.
This article discusses the symptoms, risk factors, and treatment options for people who suffer from this very rarefood allergy.
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The typical symptoms that occur when a person who is allergic to chicken include:
Complications
Although rare, some serious symptoms can occur and affect the heart.These symptoms can include:
These are symptoms ofanaphylaxis, which is a severe and potentially life-threatening allergic reaction. Fortunately, this complication is rare.
What Are the Symptoms of Anaphylaxis?Anaphylaxis comes on suddenly and presents with symptoms such as:Light-headednessFeeling as though you may faintDifficulty breathingWheezingAn increased heartbeatSkin that becomes clammyConfusion oranxietyLoss of consciousness
What Are the Symptoms of Anaphylaxis?
Anaphylaxis comes on suddenly and presents with symptoms such as:Light-headednessFeeling as though you may faintDifficulty breathingWheezingAn increased heartbeatSkin that becomes clammyConfusion oranxietyLoss of consciousness
Anaphylaxis comes on suddenly and presents with symptoms such as:
The factors most associated with an increased risk of developing a food allergy include:
When it comes to a chicken allergy specifically, a person who is allergic to another type of poultry may be at an increased risk of developing an allergy to chicken as well.
Other poultry foods include:
In some cases, those who are allergic to other types of meat, including fish and pork, could also be at an increased risk.
What Is Bird-Egg Syndrome?Bird-egg syndrome describes the onset of a sensitivity to bird allergens later on in life.Those allergens are mainly feathers or droppings. The allergen that is most likely to blame for bird-egg syndrome is known asserum albumins, which are proteins found in all tissues of the bird, including their eggs.People who have bird-egg syndrome are at an increased risk of developing an allergy to chicken. However, they don’t always develop one.
What Is Bird-Egg Syndrome?
Bird-egg syndrome describes the onset of a sensitivity to bird allergens later on in life.Those allergens are mainly feathers or droppings. The allergen that is most likely to blame for bird-egg syndrome is known asserum albumins, which are proteins found in all tissues of the bird, including their eggs.People who have bird-egg syndrome are at an increased risk of developing an allergy to chicken. However, they don’t always develop one.
Bird-egg syndrome describes the onset of a sensitivity to bird allergens later on in life.Those allergens are mainly feathers or droppings. The allergen that is most likely to blame for bird-egg syndrome is known asserum albumins, which are proteins found in all tissues of the bird, including their eggs.
People who have bird-egg syndrome are at an increased risk of developing an allergy to chicken. However, they don’t always develop one.
Do You Have an Egg Allergy?
The diagnostic process for a chicken allergy is similar to diagnosing other food allergies. The process begins following the onset of symptoms.
When a person eats chicken and notices that they experience the same symptoms every time, they should meet with anallergist, who specializes in allergies and allergy testing.
Tests usedto diagnose a chicken allergy include:
What Is the Oral Challenge?In rarer cases, a healthcare provider may do the oral challenge, which is a type of testing that involves having a person eat chicken to see if they have an allergic reaction. Since it can trigger severe symptoms, this test must be performed in the presence of the allergist in a controlled environment.
What Is the Oral Challenge?
In rarer cases, a healthcare provider may do the oral challenge, which is a type of testing that involves having a person eat chicken to see if they have an allergic reaction. Since it can trigger severe symptoms, this test must be performed in the presence of the allergist in a controlled environment.
The best way to treat a chicken allergy is to avoid eating chicken. This will keep the allergen out of your system so you won’t suffer from an allergic reaction.
Unfortunately, this process is easier said than done, because some foods may have chicken ingredients, such as soups, that you are unaware of unless you read the packaging.
Depending on the severity of your allergy, you may be able to take oralantihistaminesto combat the allergic reaction if you happen to accidentally consume chicken and are having a mild reaction.
How Food Allergies Are Treated
If you have a chicken allergy, you should avoid any products that contain chicken.
Common foods that contain chicken ingredients include:
Food Alternatives
There are many other types of meat or food products that a person with a chicken allergy can substitute to avoid an allergic reaction. Examples of food alternatives include:
When to See a Healthcare Provider
If you experience allergy symptoms every time you consume chicken, it may be time to see your healthcare provider.
A provider will put you in touch with an allergist or suggest that you try an elimination diet to determine whether the chicken is what’s causing your symptoms.
When It’s an EmergencyIf you are experiencing a severe allergic reaction, contact 911 immediately. Do not wait to see your healthcare provider or try to take histamines and wait it out. Severe allergic reactions can be life-threatening (anaphylaxis) and require immediate medical assistance.
When It’s an Emergency
If you are experiencing a severe allergic reaction, contact 911 immediately. Do not wait to see your healthcare provider or try to take histamines and wait it out. Severe allergic reactions can be life-threatening (anaphylaxis) and require immediate medical assistance.
Summary
A chicken allergy is a rare type of allergy that tends to affect young adults and adolescents. It occurs when the body’s immune system mistakes chicken as a dangerous substance and reacts to it, causing symptoms. Although a chicken allergy is typically mild, it can be severe in some cases.
The risk factors associated with chicken allergy include having other food allergies, eczema, or developing bird-egg syndrome later on in life. If you think you may have an allergy to chicken or poultry, you can speak with your healthcare provider about getting the proper tests done to confirm it and develop a treatment plan.
A Word From Verywell
Chicken is considered a staple ingredient in many kitchens, so avoiding it can be difficult for people with a chicken allergy. Fortunately, there are substitutes that work just as well in many chicken dishes that won’t result in side effects or symptoms. The adjustment period to living without chicken may be difficult, but it’s worth it if it means relieving yourself from unwanted allergy symptoms.
Frequently Asked QuestionsA chicken allergy is incredibly uncommon. It is most often found in young adults and adolescents, and the incidence rate is between 0.6% and 5%.However, since it is so undocumented, the true prevalence rate is unknown.While being allergic to chicken can cause a person to also be allergic to eggs, it is not always the case. Some cases of chicken allergy do not go hand in hand with an egg allergy. When a person is allergic to both, it is often referred to as bird-egg syndrome.It is possible for chicken allergies to be severe. That said, the majority of cases are mild to moderate. This means that the majority of people allergic to chicken are not at risk of severe allergic complications if they do come into contact with the allergen.While both food intolerance and allergies present with symptoms, the two aren’t the same. An intolerance is more closely associated with gastrointestinal symptoms, such as diarrhea, whereas an allergy is more associated with general symptoms, such as swelling of the mouth, face or lips, or hives. Both negatively affect people, but the effects are different.Learn MoreFood Allergy vs. Food Intolerance
Frequently Asked Questions
A chicken allergy is incredibly uncommon. It is most often found in young adults and adolescents, and the incidence rate is between 0.6% and 5%.However, since it is so undocumented, the true prevalence rate is unknown.
While being allergic to chicken can cause a person to also be allergic to eggs, it is not always the case. Some cases of chicken allergy do not go hand in hand with an egg allergy. When a person is allergic to both, it is often referred to as bird-egg syndrome.
It is possible for chicken allergies to be severe. That said, the majority of cases are mild to moderate. This means that the majority of people allergic to chicken are not at risk of severe allergic complications if they do come into contact with the allergen.
While both food intolerance and allergies present with symptoms, the two aren’t the same. An intolerance is more closely associated with gastrointestinal symptoms, such as diarrhea, whereas an allergy is more associated with general symptoms, such as swelling of the mouth, face or lips, or hives. Both negatively affect people, but the effects are different.Learn MoreFood Allergy vs. Food Intolerance
While both food intolerance and allergies present with symptoms, the two aren’t the same. An intolerance is more closely associated with gastrointestinal symptoms, such as diarrhea, whereas an allergy is more associated with general symptoms, such as swelling of the mouth, face or lips, or hives. Both negatively affect people, but the effects are different.
Learn MoreFood Allergy vs. Food Intolerance
6 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Can C, Yazicioglu M, Ciplak G.Chicken meat anaphylaxis in a child with no allergies to eggs or feathers.Iran J Pediatr.2014;24(6):786-787.Hemmer W, Klug C, Swoboda I.Update on the bird-egg syndrome and genuine poultry meat allergy.Allergo J Int.2016;25:68-75. doi:10.1007/s40629-016-0108-2National Health Service.Anaphylaxis.Benedé S, Blázquez AB, Chiang D, Tordesillas L, Berin MC.The rise of food allergy: Environmental factors and emerging treatments.EBioMedicine.2016;7:27-34. doi:10.1016/j.ebiom.2016.04.012Commins SP, Platts-Mills TA.Delayed anaphylaxis to red meat in patients with IgE specific for galactose alpha-1,3-galactose (alpha-gal).Curr Allergy Asthma Rep.2013;13(1):72-77. doi:10.1007/s11882-012-0315-yAmerican Academy of Allergy Asthma and Immunology.What do patients and caregivers need to know about oral food challenges?.
6 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Can C, Yazicioglu M, Ciplak G.Chicken meat anaphylaxis in a child with no allergies to eggs or feathers.Iran J Pediatr.2014;24(6):786-787.Hemmer W, Klug C, Swoboda I.Update on the bird-egg syndrome and genuine poultry meat allergy.Allergo J Int.2016;25:68-75. doi:10.1007/s40629-016-0108-2National Health Service.Anaphylaxis.Benedé S, Blázquez AB, Chiang D, Tordesillas L, Berin MC.The rise of food allergy: Environmental factors and emerging treatments.EBioMedicine.2016;7:27-34. doi:10.1016/j.ebiom.2016.04.012Commins SP, Platts-Mills TA.Delayed anaphylaxis to red meat in patients with IgE specific for galactose alpha-1,3-galactose (alpha-gal).Curr Allergy Asthma Rep.2013;13(1):72-77. doi:10.1007/s11882-012-0315-yAmerican Academy of Allergy Asthma and Immunology.What do patients and caregivers need to know about oral food challenges?.
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Can C, Yazicioglu M, Ciplak G.Chicken meat anaphylaxis in a child with no allergies to eggs or feathers.Iran J Pediatr.2014;24(6):786-787.Hemmer W, Klug C, Swoboda I.Update on the bird-egg syndrome and genuine poultry meat allergy.Allergo J Int.2016;25:68-75. doi:10.1007/s40629-016-0108-2National Health Service.Anaphylaxis.Benedé S, Blázquez AB, Chiang D, Tordesillas L, Berin MC.The rise of food allergy: Environmental factors and emerging treatments.EBioMedicine.2016;7:27-34. doi:10.1016/j.ebiom.2016.04.012Commins SP, Platts-Mills TA.Delayed anaphylaxis to red meat in patients with IgE specific for galactose alpha-1,3-galactose (alpha-gal).Curr Allergy Asthma Rep.2013;13(1):72-77. doi:10.1007/s11882-012-0315-yAmerican Academy of Allergy Asthma and Immunology.What do patients and caregivers need to know about oral food challenges?.
Can C, Yazicioglu M, Ciplak G.Chicken meat anaphylaxis in a child with no allergies to eggs or feathers.Iran J Pediatr.2014;24(6):786-787.
Hemmer W, Klug C, Swoboda I.Update on the bird-egg syndrome and genuine poultry meat allergy.Allergo J Int.2016;25:68-75. doi:10.1007/s40629-016-0108-2
National Health Service.Anaphylaxis.
Benedé S, Blázquez AB, Chiang D, Tordesillas L, Berin MC.The rise of food allergy: Environmental factors and emerging treatments.EBioMedicine.2016;7:27-34. doi:10.1016/j.ebiom.2016.04.012
Commins SP, Platts-Mills TA.Delayed anaphylaxis to red meat in patients with IgE specific for galactose alpha-1,3-galactose (alpha-gal).Curr Allergy Asthma Rep.2013;13(1):72-77. doi:10.1007/s11882-012-0315-y
American Academy of Allergy Asthma and Immunology.What do patients and caregivers need to know about oral food challenges?.
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