Could egg allergy be cause of brief sudden headache in toddler?

[eversomuch]

Twice this week, immediately after a meal, my 20mo DD has started crying out in pain and pointing to her head, tears streaming down her face. Each incident lasted only a minute or two but was incredibly scary and my mind immediately started thinking Very Bad Thoughts.

However, tonight I realised that the one thing both incidents had in common was that they occurred shortly after she'd eaten eggs. I've never heard of an allergy causing such a brief and sudden headache. Does anyone know if this is possible?

at this age they be able to tell you they are in pain but often point to the wrong part of the body iyswim. for instance its common for a young child to point to the tummy if they have a very sore throat.

If she had a reaction, either being intolerent to a food or having a reaction, other symptoms would be there.

how is she in general health? any tummy troubles? eczema /asthma etc?

I dont think its time for you to be having very bad thoughts btw!

I know I shouldn't jump to any horrendous conclusions, but it's just so scary when this happens.

She is in excellent health -- aside from the chicken pox, she's never been ill, not even a cold. No rashes (aside from occasional, very minor nappy rash) or anything else that could potentially be a food reaction.

I would say it is a possibility based on my own experience with my middle boy last night.

My DS2 is almost 8.5 and was diagnosed with multiple food allergies (dairy, eggs, wheat & nuts) at 15 months. He finally outgrew them around his 6th birthday. Last night we were having omlette for tea when about 1/3 of the way through his he suddenly started clutching his head, said he had a sudden, dreadful headache. He looked awful, dark purple rings around his eyes, ashen skin, purple tinged lips. Even as a parent experienced in allergies, it was pretty darn scary as he only used to get hives before. I gave him calpol and made him lie quietly in his room, also tested some raw egg white on his arm and he did break out in hives. He appeared 20 minutes later and said he felt a bit better.

On sitting him down as talking it over with him, he admitted that omlette often gives him a headache but he didn't want to worry us. I was woken by him this morning, he had a migraine and felt sick. I just feel so gutted for him and shocked that we are back here again, especially as he's been ok for over 2 years (never heard of this kind of recurrence).

I really hope in your DD's case it is just a coincidence. I don't want to alarm you with my experience, just to say that it is possible

Thanks, heartmum. So sorry to hear about your son's allergies. I hope he eventually does outgrow it for good. It's just heartbreaking and scary to see them suffering like that.

DD hasn't had hives or any other signs of a food intolerance/allergy. It is, in a way, a relief to know that it might indeed just be a reaction to the egg that she's experiencing and not the symptoms of some terrible disease (yes, I tend to worry about worst case scenarios!). We're taking a break from eggs for a bit and keeping an eye on her; if she has another incident then that would suggest it is not linked to eggs -- I'll see about getting her tested as well.

It would be such a shame if she is allergic bc, as vegetarians, eggs are one of our best sources of protein. Plus she loves them.

Well, DD had another incident earlier in the week after days of eating no eggs, so I don't think our situation is egg-related. I'm now thinking it might be teething-related. She hasn't had another headache all week, so maybe that's the end of it, FX. Trying not to worry.