Specific egg protein IgE testing (as opposed to whole egg)?

[freefrommum]

Just wondered if anyone else knows anything about this. Took DS to see consultant yesterday and he said as part of his annual blood tests he would not only be testing for his IgE levels to whole egg (as previously) but also to a specific protein in egg as this could indicate that he might be able to tolerate baked egg. I think he said that if his IgE to whole egg was still high but to specific protein was low then he would consider a baked egg food challenge. Anybody else have any experience or knowledge of this?

Am thinking that a baked egg challenge might be a challenge in itself given that DS is also allergic to wheat and milk (so the obvious choice of cake is out) but I guess we'll cross that bridge when we come to it!

Ds was tested for baked and raw egg individually but that was spt rather than bloods. I just assumed that the two would always be tested for separately? His baked weal came up at 3mm as opposed to the raw weal, which was 13mm! Am hoping that the next time we are seen, in December, we might also get the go-ahead to challenge him with baked egg, as the specialist said anything at 2mm or less was unlikely to be a reaction.

Will be watching (and crossing fingers!) for your ds's progress, although as you say, it will be tricky finding something to challenge him with

Interesting. Consultant decided not to do skin prick tests this time as he tends to react quite badly (gets red and itchy all over, not just at the test site) and he said there was no point putting him through that unless his blood tests have miraculously improved. However, his spt was always for whole raw egg never baked egg as far as I know. This blood test is slightly different in that it's not testing baked egg but 1 particular protein within the egg (can't remember the name!).
babybarrister good to hear your DS passed baked egg challenge. Have to say I'm feeling very torn at the moment. I desperately want him to outgrown his allergies but hate the thought of another food challenge as I'm still mentally scarred after the last one 2 years ago.