Is this a dairy allergy?

[Mirshid]

My dd is 9 months old and sometimes after eating develops a red chin with small red spots which then gradually disappears. It seems to only happen after she's eaten mature cheddar or goats cheese, she is fine with porridge/yoghurt and has never shown any reaction when EBF and is generally a happy smiley baby. I'm not sure if I need to take her to the gp or whether to just cut out cheese for a bit? Anyone have any advice please

If it's just the cheese that affects her, don't give her cheese. It's not vital that she eats it.

Tbh I'm not sure it is just cheese she has only just started to have more in the way of solids (her choice) and she has recently developed a rash on her bottom which is ring shaped (just googled this and didn't realise it was a symptom of allergy) and I can't think she has eaten enough cheese to cause it. The only other thing I can put this down to is a course of antibiotics I have had for mastitis. She seems fine after yoghurt but will stuff other food in afterwards almost as if she wants to take the taste away, yet she's happy to eat more.

OP - we had the same reaction with yoghurt at 9 months (although I had given up dairy at 6 months) and ended up with an epi pen when my daughter was old/big enough to have one, obviously not everyone will end up with an epi pen but I would certainly visit your GP.

Thank you I'm going to make her an appointment in the morning

Don't cut out all dairy except under medical advice and with proper replacements for nutrients. For now, given she's BF anyway, you could try keeping a diary of your DD's food intake (and yours - milk proteins get through to BM) and any rashes or symptoms.that way, when you go to the GP they'll be better placed to identify causes.

I would, the protocol on allergies seemed to change a bit during our time (8 years) at the allergy clinic, we eventually went on a clinical trial which resolved my daughter's allergy which was the most wonderful thing for her (she was very aware of being different).

I think that if there was any tolerance at all the recommendation was to eat a tiny bit at regular intervals whatever that was (didn't really apply to us).

Even now we have to make sure that our daughter eats dairy three times a week which is not hard as it is in so much food. She isn't actually that fond of it though not having eaten it for so many years.

Your GP will know what to do and issue will be logged in case you need a referral later on (which hopefully you won't). Good luck.

Yes that is a good idea, she definitely had no rashes on her face when EBF and has never had a nappy rash until last week, is it feasible that the Antibios have knocked out the good bacteria from her gut and made her more reactive or is that bonkers?! I don't really want to cut out dairy as I'm vegetarian and at present so is she.

Just to update I took dd to gp today who was 1/2 hr behind and dismissed me as a neurotic mother. The face rash had gone and she felt the nappy rash was not allergy related... This evening I gave dd a batch cooked pasta sauce which I had forgotten I added milk too, within 15 mins she had developed rash below her lip and on to one cheek. She has had breastmilk all day with no issue but no dairy herself as such. I think I am going to make another appt tomorrow as felt so fobbed off today!
Could it be that she tolerates dairy once filtered so to speak via me and not directly or is that not possible?!

My DS had a severe milk allergy, he had eczema constantly while BF, it cleared up a week after he stopped BFing, so in his case there was definitely allergens getting through into the BM.
Make a record of the foods you both eat and any further symptoms, so when you go back to the GP they can't dismiss your concerns.

Such a shame OP, I am sorry you were made to feel that way. I would go back, I have always been really fortunate and had doctors who take me seriously. Our Allergy Consultant is a lovely woman who really does take on board a parent's instincts.

I would ask about current protocol and excluding food groups. I gave up dairy as my baby went bright red and looked like she had eaten a load of chillies every time she fed - just my instinct, she was the happiest baby, gaining lots of weight. I gave it up without medical advice but we did see a paediatrician monthly for other things so I probably mentioned it at some point. I delayed giving yoghurt off my own back etc., etc., but because we were already under consultant care the blood tests were just ordered (at 12 months) without any fuss.

Your baby will get what she needs from you - we continued to BF until 2 and a half (partly because I didn't know what sort of 'milk' to feed next as I was undecided about soya) and never had to give supplements for anything (by then under consultant care for more than 12 months). I took a good multivitamin though (Solgar I think).

During that time I also had to give up egg, wheat and three vegetables (which I suspected she was allergic to and she was so there again, mother's instinct). I was very thin for a while even though I ate like a horse!

Best of luck, let us know how you get on.

Hi there thanks so much for your responses dd seen today by second gp who was a bit better and thinks that she has a contact dermatitis probably due to tomatoes but possibly dairy. He advised to carry on as normal and keep an eye on her reactions, the trouble is I'm not feeling much confidence now as the first gp said not to give her irritants! That being said she has had scrambled egg and mashed potato today both made with milk with no obvious reaction so I guess I just need to keep monitoring for now!

Tomatoes are a common rash culprit, as they are acidic and contain histamine.