Allergy, Chicken in Mayuri Nagar Welfare Association, Hyderabad

Meat allergy is a lot less common than seafood allergies but is equally uncomfortable. If you are allergic to chicken, you might see some symptoms appear on touching or eating chicken meat.  In rare cases, you might experience a severe allergic reaction and require immediate medical attention.

If your immune system mistakenly identifies a specific protein present in chicken as a threat, it develops antibodies to fight it. These antibodies, known as Immunoglobulin (IgE), can pave the way for the following symptoms:

• Sneezing
• Coughing
• Itchy skin
• Scratchy throat 
• Vomiting 
• Nausea
• Hives
• Diarrhoea
• Difficulty breathing 
• Runny and itchy nose
• Itchy and swollen eyes
• Eczema-like rash
• Stomach cramps 
• Anaphylaxis

People of all ages can contract this chicken allergy. You could either get it in your childhood and outgrow it or catch it pretty late in life after having consumed chicken meat for so many years without an issue.

But when you notice these symptoms on exposure to chicken meat, get the chicken allergy test done as soon as possible. If you let the allergy run unchecked for a while, it might get severe and cause several complications, namely:

• Trouble breathing 
• Slurred speech
• Swelling in the throat 
• Swollen tongue 
• Loss of consciousness
• Heart palpitations
• A sudden drop in blood pressure
• Rapid heartbeat

If you constantly experience severe allergic reactions, your healthcare practitioner will advise you to carry an EpiPen. This product can save your life in case of an anaphylactic reaction. However, you will still need medical attention post revival. Call medical support immediately if you have had to use the EpiPen.

Moving on, if you are already an eczema or asthma patient, you might also have other food allergies. So, if you are already allergic to chicken meat, there is a chance you might be allergic to the following meat types as well:

• Goose 
• Fish 
• Duck
• Turkey
• Pheasant 
• Shrimp
• Partridge

It would be advisable to stay away from these risk factors in case you have a severe chicken allergy paired with either asthma or eczema.

If you suspect the presence of a chicken allergy, you need to visit your doctor and get medication prescribed to manage your symptoms. You can manage mild symptoms with the help of antihistamines.

The chicken allergy test cost at Apollo 27|7 is low, and you will receive the test results within eight days. If the test result turns out positive, then you need to find protein alternatives for chicken. Here is a small list to help you out with the same:

• Tofu chunks as substitutes in stir fries and soups 
• Drink vegetable broth instead
• Try other protein sources like pork, fish, beans, etc. 
• Use soy products
  
  Medically reviewed by Dr Jatin Ahuja, Infectious Diseases, Apollo Hospitals Indraprastha, South Delhi.