Introduction

Before commencing the challenge, your child should be well. This means their eczema, asthma or hay fever is well controlled, the do not have a cough, cold, diarrhoea or vomiting. If they have started a new medication, wait for two weeks to ensure they tolerate it before introducing wheat. 

  • Do not give your child any antihistamines before or during the challenge days unless a reaction occurs, as these may hide or delay reactions. If your child has used their reliever inhaler such as salbutamol or terbutaline in the last 3 days, delay the introduction

Continue to give your child any other medication that they usually take

  • •    Do not to introduce any other new foods while introducing egg into the diet
  • •    Introduce one of the foods as outlined in table opposite.  

Try to give the recommended challenge food in one go rather than spreading it out over the day

Choose a time of day when you are able to monitor/observe your child closely. If an immediate reaction occurs stop the challenge and seek advice. Delayed symptoms may occur up to 3 days after the challenge, stop the challenge at the stage which is tolerated and try again in 4-6 weeks. Keep the tolerated foods in the diet and give regularly. 

Try a very small amount of the food first (e.g. ⅙ fairy cake) and wait for 10-15 minutes before giving your child anymore.

Recipe for Sponge Fairy Cakes (makes 8)

  • 120g self-raising flour
  • 120g caster sugar
  • 120g margarine
  • 1 medium egg
  1. Cream together the margarine and sugar then beat in the egg, then fold in the flour. Add small amount of milk if it seems too thick.
  2. Bake for 12 mins on Gas 5/190°C.

If no reaction try a 2-egg recipe - same amounts of other ingredients.

Stage 1

Manufactured/highly processed foods containing highly cooked egg

Shop bought sponge or fairy cake

Jaffa cakes

Sponge finger biscuits

Shop bought meatballs with egg in

Savoury scone

Yorkshire pudding

Stage 2

Highly cooked egg

Homemade cakes (see bottom of previous page)

Hard biscuits containing egg

Dried egg pasta

Very hard-boiled egg

Stage 3

Lightly cooked egg

Soft boiled, fried or scrambled egg

Quiches

Fresh egg pasta

Pancakes

Soft cookies

Egg custard

Lemon curd

Some marshmallows and other sweets

Stage 4

Uncooked egg

Soft meringues

Mayonnaise

Uncooked cake mixes (e.g. licking spoon when cooking!)

Homemade chocolate mousse

Some cake icing

Contact Information

Frimley Park Hospital: 0300 613 4053
Email: fhft.paediatricdietitiansfph@nhs.net
 
Wexham Park Hospital: 0300 615 3232
Email: fhft.paediatricdietitianswph@nhs.net
 

Contact us

If you have any queries relating to this information, please contact the Dietetics service.

About this information

Service:
Dietetics

Reference:
DT/125

Approval date:
1 June 2026

Review date:
1 June 2029

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Important note 

This page provides general information only. It is developed by clinical staff and is reviewed regularly every 3 years for accuracy. For personal advice about your health, or if you have any concerns, please speak to your doctor.