Grade 2 milk allergy

[CinnamonStix]

I found out today that 5yo DS1 has a grade 2 allergy to milk and eggs. I've suspected for a while now that he's probably allergic to eggs because he said it makes his tongue feel odd, although he's find with eggs in cake etc. He drinks milk everyday and appears to be generally fine, however he's got eczema.

Does anyone else have experience with this? Would you cut out dairy entirely to see if it improves his eczema? Or would that just make his reaction to milk worse, when he does come to drink it again?

I give him Piriton twice a day, which stops him itching at night and his eczema is much better for it. When I forget, his eczema flares up again, so it must be something in his diet causing it, no?

Hi Cinnamon,
We have multiple allergies in the house (DS2, 2yo), and it takes us completely cutting out dairy (and many other things) to clear up the eczema. Having said that, if eczema is the only reaction you are seeing, and he is happy enough in himself, you are better keeping dairy in his diet to some degree. Current thinking is that it is better, as it will help retain his tolerance. Cutting it out completely may indeed lead to a more severe reaction later.

Personally, I would try and cut out dairy entirely just to see if it helps him (will need to be possibly for a full month to get rid of reaction entirely) ... and then you'll know. you can reintroduce after he's 'clear' and see the reaction. it's worth getting your hands on a milk ladder and starting at the bottom and working your way up to see what he can take without reaction (milk ladder starts with baked milk in cakes, etc, working up to fresh milk).

Based on the fact that piriton helps limit the eczema, that alone would indicate an allergic reaction.

I would cut out all dairy and egg from the diet for two weeks. I am fairly confident all the eczema will go away. You do need to be strict though and read labels.

Rather not have dairy in diet than be on piriton twice a day!

I highly recommend jumping on Facebook to join the 'CMPA Support for Weaning' group. Loads of mums in your situation and can support/give advice and information.

If you have had allergy tests, you should also ask your GP or specialist for a dietician referral so that you get the right support for your son's diet. For example, it takes several weeks for dairy to be worked out of the system so be careful about drawing conclusions from elimination diets without all the facts as you will end up tied in knots!

Good luck. (My DD is allergic to eggs and was intolerant to dairy for a period - we're currently doing the milk ladder with her).