Dairy Allergy

[AnnaB]

Hi My daughter is 2 1/2 and has had a known dairy allergy since 4 months. Does anyone know what the chances are of her out growing it and taking up a normal diet? My son used to have an egg allergy but we knew he'd probably out grow it before starting school and he did. A little hope for a little girl who today handed over of her own will all the goodies in a party bag which she could not eat.

[leckieg]

When my daughter was diagnosed I was told she would probably grow out of it by her second birthday, she is now two and if anything worse now than she was at birth, I tried her on a smidgeon of cheese over christmas and it took her a week to get over it.

[Dr Helen Brough]

Dear Talkallergy forum users:

Recent studies have shown that the resolution of cow's milk protein allergy in children is unfortunately not as quick as we used to think. We previously stated that 85% of children grew out of their cow's milk allergy by the age of 3-5 years. A recent study in America looked at 800 children with cow's milk protein allergy. They defined children who had grown out of cow's milk protein allergy as children who had introduced cow's milk into their diet or who had a low allergy blood test (<3IU/ml) and had not reacted to cow's milk over the past year. Using this definition, children who had outgrown cow's milk allergy were 19% by age 4 years, 42% by age 8 years, 64% by age 12 years, and 79% by 16 years. However this was in a specialist allergy clinic where children with more complex allergic disease will be seen and who are therefore less likely to outgrow their allergies.

I would be guided by your allergy specialist who can do blood tests and skin prick testing to decide when to arrange for an oral food challenge to cow' milk. In the mean-time please make sure that your child is on a suitable calcium fortified alternative milk.

Kind regards,

Dr Helen Brough MA MBBS MRCPCH
Clinical Lecturer in Paediatric Allergy
Honorary Specialist Registrar in Paediatric Allergy

[hewmi13]

My friend's baby was allergic to milk so it was really hard for him when growing up. Though with the advancement in food technology, they already came up with a solution to be able to give the nutrients given by milk without the components that can cause an allergic reaction to the one drinking. It was not cheap because you had to undergo tests before given the milk, but there was no other option.

[RichB]

thanks for the info Dr Brough!

[williamsmummy]

has anyone got any info on dairy allergy starting during teens?

[Bianca_c_j]

My child has been diagnosed with cows milk allergy so we have been feeding her with neocate active by Nutricia to relieve symptoms of cows' milk allergy and to ensure she gets the nutrients that are needed to stay healthy on a daily basis.

[Sally Heep]

Most children who develop a dairy allergy will do so before their first birthday.

[bertyolmer]

nice to know Dr Brough!

[talkhealth]

Hi Williamsmummy,

I thought this blog post may be useful for you looking at info on allergies with teenagers-

http://www.talkhealthpartnership.com/bl ... go-slowly/

Let me know what you think, or if you have any useful info.

Best wishes
Helen