Dairy trial and ear infection - coincidence?

[jasperc163]

We have tried to introduce cheese into DD's pasta sauce (allergist tested her for milk - negative and said to try cooked diary after a year). The first time after one day she came down with a major rash, which turned out to be hand foot and mouth, so just an unlucky coincidence.

A week later we tried again and gave her a small amount of cheese over 5 days in her food. By day 5 she was grouchy and we stopped it in case. Day after she had a temperature and now GP has said she has an ear infection and swollen glands. There were no clear signs at the time of an issue with the cheese (she has reflux but didnt vomit) apart from (possibly) a tiny little rash on one knee.

I know its impossible to say if its related or not but has this happened to anyone else? Could it have had the effect of turning a cold (she has had no secondary problems with colds up until now - they have all cleared on their own)into an ear infection?

Its hard as she started nursery 2 months ago and seems to be catching everything so isolating causes is hard.

thanks
alice

what age is she?

its hard to say. it could be an intolerance or just a coincidence.

Could you avoid cheese etc until she is well and then re-introduce it?

she's 13 months

I am beginning to think its impossible to do a dairy trial at this time of year given the issue of possible respiratory symtoms! Maybe we will have to wait til spring/summer when at least a sudden cold would be a bit more indicative?

thanks
alice

what milk has she been having? This could just be a coincidence. Children do pick up ear infections more readily if they are at nursery and most children under 5 get ear infections at some stage anyway. Having said that I wouldn't try milk again until the infections over because there is an acknowledged link between milk and ear infections. If you're used to being dairy free it might be easier to keep going a bit longer