help...think he may have a dairy allergy, need advice desperately

[Heathcliffscathy]

a couple of weeks ago, my homeopath suggested that ds might have a dairy allergy...i so didn't want this to be the case, that i've kind of been ignoring it in the hope that it will go away (always a good strategy this i find...not), but i can't any longer. symptoms: he is wheezing (not badly, but when he takes a deep breath in) and coughing and snivelly, but it's been too long to be a cold. he's had mild eczema since he was being exclusively breastfed. he's been on one bottle of formula a day (rest breastfeeding) since he was about 3 1/2 months old. I weaned him at 4 months, v slowly (baby rice, then some fruit purees. he is now 6 1/2 months old and has 3 meals a day (all of which are mixed with whole milk). since i introduced wholemilk in cooking around 2 1/2 weeks ago, his symptoms haven't got any worse. however they aren't getting any better either. i'm in a bit of a panic: if i take dairy out, how am i going to give him enough milk for his last (bottle feed)? also, in the morning/evening he has cereal/babyrice mixed with milk and fruit? also at lunchtime he has veg or protein and cheese also mixed with milk (he seems to prefer milky cold foods to anything hot). i know it's all my fault probably for not exclusively b/fding until six months...but we were having terrible sleep problems that were immediately improved with the introduction of solids (i know this doesn't work for everyone etc etc). anyway, he is still on 3 breastfeeds a day and i plan to continue this as long as poss. sorry to ramble on, but i'm panicking a bit about this and dont really know where to start in terms of cutting dairy out. should i go to goats milk formula for everything initially? or soya? should i try somehow to make my milk come in for the evening feed so that all his feeds are breastmilk (i'm completely crap at expressing so don't know how i'd do this)? please please help anyone who has any experience or advice, i'd be so grateful...

misdee is experienced with allergies, Sophable.

misdee- i hear you loud and clear - tbh, i so so don't want this to be a dairy allergy: he really likes milk and cheese!!

Here we are Sophable - this is from the asthma society site - www.asthma.org.uk and shows that milk & dairy products are actually helpful for asthma, if that is what you are afraid of. The mucus thing really is a myth. This is a good study.

1 July 2003

Milk and butter reduce asthma risk

Full-cream milk, butter and brown bread can help to reduce the risk of asthma symptoms in young children, according to new research. A study of 2,978 children, born within six months of each other, followed their progress between the ages of two to three, collecting and analysing data on their food intake and asthma symptoms.
Researchers found that the children who consumed full-cream milk and butter every day as part of their diet were less likely to have asthma symptoms than those who ate it less frequently. Brown bread was also found to be associated with lower rates of asthma and wheeze when eaten every day.
National Asthma Campaign experts have welcomed the study but cautioned that links between diet and asthma are still largely unknown.
The study, carried out in the Netherlands, also looked at other foods, including semi-skimmed milk, dairy products such as yoghurt and chocolate milk, white bread, margarine, cheese, fruit and vegetables. Levels of asthma prevalence were split into three categories: those who had experienced asthma symptoms at some point in their lives; those who had recently experienced symptoms; and those who had recently experienced wheeze. Full-fat milk and butter consistently featured more regularly in the diets of children who had fewer symptoms in each of these categories.
Professor Martyn Partridge, the National Asthma Campaign's chief medical adviser, commented: 'This is an interesting study showing an association between eating brown bread and milk products and a lower prevalence of asthma and wheezing. Whether the association is real and causally related or whether it reflects some other shared lifestyle change is not clear but it is one of a large number of recent studies suggesting associations between nutrition and lung health.'
The researchers admit that lifestyle could have played a part in the findings. For example, families who eat brown bread rather than white may have healthier habits that were not taken into consideration in the study, which could be responsible for reducing the risk of asthma.
However, previously researchers have found correlations between consumption of full cream milk and low incidence of asthma symptoms in young children. Studies have also suggested that the increase of asthma in the western world may be due to a greater intake of polyunsaturated fats in our diets. Milk and butter are both high in saturated fat.
Professor Partridge added: 'The increasing prevalence of asthma almost certainly reflects multiple lifestyle changes over the last three decades. Nutrition may be one such change, but there is too little data yet to enable us to give concrete dietary advice as to how to eat to avoid asthma.'
Anne Pearson, a nurse on the Campaign's Asthma UK Adviceline, agreed: 'Foods generally are not common triggers for asthma. It's very important that children have a well balanced diet, and dairy products play an important role in this as they are a vital source of calcium, riboflavin, protein and vitamins A and B12.
'There's a common myth that drinking milk produces mucus in the airways,' she added, 'but this is not the case: it just thickens the saliva temporarily. If you suspect that food is causing a problem for your child, you should keep a food and symptom diary for a period of time, then take it to your GP.'

Thanks aloha. tho i really wish we could find out what my dd is allergic too rather than the specialist reply of 'everything she is sensitive to'

Here we are Sophable - this is from the asthma society site - www.asthma.org.uk and shows that milk & dairy products are actually helpful for asthma, if that is what you are afraid of. The mucus thing really is a myth. This is a good study.

1 July 2003

Milk and butter reduce asthma risk

Full-cream milk, butter and brown bread can help to reduce the risk of asthma symptoms in young children, according to new research. A study of 2,978 children, born within six months of each other, followed their progress between the ages of two to three, collecting and analysing data on their food intake and asthma symptoms.
Researchers found that the children who consumed full-cream milk and butter every day as part of their diet were less likely to have asthma symptoms than those who ate it less frequently. Brown bread was also found to be associated with lower rates of asthma and wheeze when eaten every day.
National Asthma Campaign experts have welcomed the study but cautioned that links between diet and asthma are still largely unknown.
The study, carried out in the Netherlands, also looked at other foods, including semi-skimmed milk, dairy products such as yoghurt and chocolate milk, white bread, margarine, cheese, fruit and vegetables. Levels of asthma prevalence were split into three categories: those who had experienced asthma symptoms at some point in their lives; those who had recently experienced symptoms; and those who had recently experienced wheeze. Full-fat milk and butter consistently featured more regularly in the diets of children who had fewer symptoms in each of these categories.
Professor Martyn Partridge, the National Asthma Campaign's chief medical adviser, commented: 'This is an interesting study showing an association between eating brown bread and milk products and a lower prevalence of asthma and wheezing. Whether the association is real and causally related or whether it reflects some other shared lifestyle change is not clear but it is one of a large number of recent studies suggesting associations between nutrition and lung health.'
The researchers admit that lifestyle could have played a part in the findings. For example, families who eat brown bread rather than white may have healthier habits that were not taken into consideration in the study, which could be responsible for reducing the risk of asthma.
However, previously researchers have found correlations between consumption of full cream milk and low incidence of asthma symptoms in young children. Studies have also suggested that the increase of asthma in the western world may be due to a greater intake of polyunsaturated fats in our diets. Milk and butter are both high in saturated fat.
Professor Partridge added: 'The increasing prevalence of asthma almost certainly reflects multiple lifestyle changes over the last three decades. Nutrition may be one such change, but there is too little data yet to enable us to give concrete dietary advice as to how to eat to avoid asthma.'
Anne Pearson, a nurse on the Campaign's Asthma UK Adviceline, agreed: 'Foods generally are not common triggers for asthma. It's very important that children have a well balanced diet, and dairy products play an important role in this as they are a vital source of calcium, riboflavin, protein and vitamins A and B12.
'There's a common myth that drinking milk produces mucus in the airways,' she added, 'but this is not the case: it just thickens the saliva temporarily. If you suspect that food is causing a problem for your child, you should keep a food and symptom diary for a period of time, then take it to your GP.'

sorry sophable, I know you trust the homeopath, but any worth their salt would recommend you saw a gp/paed to get this sorted. misdee's advice is sound. the only time I've been to see a homeopath, I made sure it was one who was a qualified doctor too (at the royal homeopathic hospital) so that any serious issues could be dealt with by conventional medicine if necessary.

re: eczema & getting it sorted. I tried with creams (only tiny amounts of hydrocortisone and only used aqueous cream, no soap to wash dd1) and wondered about diet but it turned out to be the chlorine in the swimming pool that caused dd's eczema - I only found out when we took a break from our lessons in the summer (doh!)so it's not always the most obvious thing which causes a symptom.

thanks for that, aloha, I get really annoyed about that mucus thing

The description below of milk allergy is why I didn't think your son sounded like he had an allergy - though obviously if you are concerned that the wheezing is linked then you should push for a referral. I know I'm no expert but I have written about food allergies before. Most experts in the field are worried about over diagnosis by non specialists.

This is from a Scottish site.
An allergy or intolerance to cow?s milk can be characterised by vomiting, diarrhoea, irritability ? also constipation - and general failure to thrive1 and is associated with a family history of atopy2. It typically develops early in infancy soon after cow?s milk formula is introduced and when the permeability of the gut mucosa is most permeable3. Onset after the age of 12 months is rare and risk is greatly reduced by breastfeeding. Its prevalence is estimated to be 2-3% of the general infant population and it affects all ethnic groups equally4. The basis of the disorder is complex and usually immunologically mediated. Three different types of cow?s milk protein allergy/intolerance have been identified5:

• clear immunoglobulin E reaction, with a classic type 1 response, characterised by cutaneous eruptions and sometimes, anaphylaxis

• delayed type 111 (immune complex) reaction characterised by gastrointestinal symptoms within hours of ingesting moderate amounts of cow?s milk

• type 1V (cell-mediated) reactions characterised by gastrointestinal symptoms several hours or days after ingesting cow?s milk, often accompanied by respiratory or eczematous symptoms

Cow?s milk protein allergy/intolerance is usually transitory and the prognosis is good with remission rates of about 45-50% at 1 year, 60-70% at 2 years and 85-90% at 3 years of age1. As the risk of nutritional deficiencies (mainly energy and calcium) is high as a result of milk avoidance6, milk exclusion should be managed under the expert supervision of a dietitian7. Milk should not be excluded from a young child?s diet for longer than necessary and its reintroduction should ideally be medically supervised, especially if previous reactions have been severe.

Despite the frequency and clinical importance of cow?s milk induced disease, much remains to be learnt about its pathological mechanisms. Laboratory tests are currently incapable of identifying all forms of cow?s milk protein sensitivity. Accurate diagnosis and confirmation depend on milk protein elimination (for up to 3 weeks) and reintroduction to see whether symptoms reappear.

Produced by the Scottish Nutrition & Diet Resources Initiative
A State Registered Dietitians' project, in partnership with other agencies. Hosted by Glasgow Caledonian University and funded by the Scottish Executive.

just had to give dd2 piriton as she has had her 1st 'nettle rash' reaction seemingly to nothing. on her arms.

Hi, my ds (and me as bfing) didn't have dairy for 7 months (well he didn't have it for a year) on the advice of a paed. We stuck hard and fast to this and at 1 year he was given the all clear. He also loves cheese, milk etc. and will eat them in great quantities. His eczema got no better and no worse when dairy was introduced. I am so relieved I don't have to worry about his diet now. I would only give up dairy in such a youngster on medical advice following tests.

Also I think you would have to give up dairy yourself as well, read every packet every time and do this for at least 6 weeks with no slip ups. That's why I think the testing first is a good idea. It's hard to be that rigid, asking for ingredients of everything, always refusing food when out, unless you are really convinced it will make a difference.

Aloha - thanks for that thing about whole milk and butter and asthma, my focus now is on trying to prevent ds getting asthma as he is very at risk. We are also trying 2.5 ml of Zyrtec a day for 18 months as some studies have shown this to be effective.

Misdee, my son has had this twice - huge weals all over himself - I think it might be a reaction to a mild virus in his case. Piriton usually worked for us, though we did have to take him to hospital once and they gave us something stronger which worked pretty much instantly.

Just seen that Aloha's article said 3 weeks for avoidance. My six is based on the fact that I made so many mistakes in the first couple of weeks they can't be said to count.

I think you've had a lot of really good advice on here sophable, even if it's not what you wanted to hear. I would completely agree with the others (especially aloha's detailed information), it doesn't sound like a dairy allergy at all, but if it is the only safe way to deal with it is to get medical help. Your description sounds just like my ds at that age. He did turn out to have asthma, but has grown out of the excema completely.

I think the most obvious reason for the discrepancy between what the homeopath heard and the GP heard is that "wheezing" can take two forms. What we as parents think of as wheezing (or I did anyway) is often upper respiratory and doesn't mean anything. I would suspect that this is what the homeopath heard. A wheeze that might need treatment will be right down in the lungs. Every GP I have ever seen has been able to distinguish between these two very easily, whereas I never have by just listening.

I can only say again what everyone else has said- get a proper diagnosis before changing anything radically. I hope you and your ds feel better soon.

hi aloha. dd1 has these reactions all the time. it could be a virus in dd2 case as this is her 1st reaction, and the weals are small, not large like dd1's are, but it could also be bewcause they are cutting the grass outside and i have the windows open.

My dd had quite bad eczema as a babay and young toddler, and was also wheezy - every winter she would get anever ending cold and at some stage an appalling cough, often turning to chest infection, which had us in hospital twice because the GP couldn't help.
Our local hospitakl ahs a specialist paediatric a&e so you do get to see child specialists which is much more reassuring than the GP.
For the eczema we stopped using any soap based products, only aqueous cream, with mild steroid cream on really bad patches for a few days. Few the wheezing the hospital gave her an inhaler which she used when the coughing got really bad and which helped a lot.
She is now 4, only gets tiny occasional patches of eczema dn went through last winter with no really worrying cold or wheezing symptoms - just the normal constant runny nose etc!
I wondered if dairy might be a cause but throughout all this she has been a big dairy consumer, loves cheese and yoghurt and still drinks a pint of milk a day.
It is really common for young children to have eczema and wheezing. try not to worry, but rather than your GP who doesn't seem to be helping see if you can get referred to a paediatrician or specialist nutritionalist who can put your mind at rest.

aloha, interesting about the high remission rates too.

message withdrawn

Sophable, I wouldn't worry about mild eczema if you can treat it topically. Cutting dairy out is a huge deal and, as others have mentioned, a big pain. It completely changes your eating habits and you have to relearn how to cook.

Re: the wheezing, as tamum mentioned, if it's not in the lungs, then it should be ok. I used to have an old stethescope to listen to my son when he was wheezy.

Both my sons had a dairy allergy, one for about 10 months and the other for over 5 years. My eldest son had anaphylactic reactions to milk and we got a taster of most types (passing out, vomiting, diarrhea, throat swelling). He also had asthma, but milk didn't provoke an asthmatic reaction. Well, he'd start wheezing when his throat was swelling shut, but that's different.

If you do decide to do a milk challenge, you at least need to do it properly and completely. Eliminate it from your diet and his for 3 weeks, then reintroduce it for a few days and see what happens. Don't use soya formula, use either Nutramigen or Neocate.

Personally, I think it would be a very extreme solution to a minor problem and might do his health more harm than good.

thanks for all the advice...will show this thread to dh this eve and we'll take a view...i know i'm panicking un-necessarily...thanks everyone...just don't want to do anything to upset a really good routine that we have settled into, but at the same time as i said trust this homeopath...will not do anything hasty!

Hmmmm not sure where I sit on this one!

My childrens history of dairy allergy are:

DD - classic allergic reactions. Projectile vomiting and severe urticaria (involving hospitalisation and intra venous steroids). Never any question from GP/paeds that she was very allergic. Was breastfed until 1yo and all food etc was mixed with breastmilk. From 1 yo has had no dairy at all. Saw hospital dietician once got some basic info and then left to get on with it!

DS - didn't have classic allergy symptoms but did have bad glue ear, constant (green) snotty nose excess dribbling and frequent ear infections. I too saw a homoepath (she is a ceonventional doctor who also practices in homeopathy). She suggested a dairy allergy, it fitted with the family problems with dairy. We excluded dairy from his diet and low and behold the glue ear cleared up (within 3 weeks) and all the other symptoms stopped. The hearing consultant my DS had been seeing was very sceptical and said it would have cleared up any way (despite it not clearing up with 6 months of low dose antibiotics)!

So whilst I agree with some of the posters on this thread who say that you should only proceed with medical supervision, my experience is that I have no doubt that dairy allergy was causing my Ds's problems. He has not had glue ear or and ear infection since dairy was excluded (2.5years ago). If he does have dairy products (usually cheese at parties - he still has terrible cravings for cheese and will try and eat it whenever it is available), his nose starts dripping almost straght away and he gets contact weals around and in his mouth.

So where does that leave you... I think you should go back to the homwopath and tell her what your concerns are. Ask her to provide more information about the allergic reactions etc. (My homeopath wrote to my GP explaining her reasons for her diagnosis and eventually the GP said that he could see where she was coming from!)

You need to know wxactly what you plan to do in terms of making good the calcium requirements in his diet. For this you will need to see your GP/paed/dietician.

I have no knowledge of dairy allergy and asthma or eczema so cna't help you there. I would generally say though that if you can keep breastfeeding then I would go that route if at all possible!

Good luck!

thanks soapbox!

Hi Sophable

It is a tough issue and when they are 6 mths it all seems very frightening, but do listen to the others - gp/medical assessment is the only way forward if it's a real allergy. Ds has severe allergies to dairy and egg (anaphylactic) and mild allergies to other things and cutting them out of his diet is hard (especially when you find milk in everything including veg stock) but if it's necessary then you find ways to manage it and get used to it.

Ezcema is nasty but you learn to handle that too and to be honest learn to accept anything and give it a try. Ds has really bad ezcema and we keep him creamed and covered up at all times and that helps. Ok he can't wear shorts and t-shirts but it's better than him scratching himself to bleeding. We use doublebase and pimecrolimus and it's great. Steroids just don't touch his ezcema (he's 14moths).

On the dairy substitute thing - soya and goats milk can both be risky. If it's a true allergy to milk it will be the protein that is a problem and the soya and goats (and sheep etc) milk have proteins that can cause same probs. If you do have a true milk allergy there are ways round it -ds is on nutramigen and loves it. I cook with it too. We see an allergist at Kings college hosp (Dr Leach) and dieticiian and are beginning to identify the true allergies and test him. Now we can use soya and that's a great help.

In summary - you're doing great, don't beat yourself up re breastfeeding, it's fab for as long as you can but sometimes life gets in the way. Get properly tested for the allergy and take it from there. Once you know where you stand medically the homeopathic stuff can be great complementary treatment, but with a little one it is far safer to know exactly how the land lies before chaning their diets. Besides it takes real effort to give a baby a controlled but balanced diet and to read labels so if you can avoid it it is better.

The mums on this allergy board are great and have been a real help to me.

Good luck, :0

Sushicat

Hi Sophable

There's a good book by Lucy Burney called 'Boost your child's immune system'. It suggests a goats milk formula called 'Nanny' as being a good one. She also gives various tips on what foods to avoid and what helps various allergies.

Good luck

sushicat and dazedandconfused (great names) thank you!

had a long talk with dh yesterday, he is not convince it is an allergy/intolerance at all...his symptoms are really mild compared to what you are describing sushi...

so, we're going to stick with what we're doing for now and monitor the wheeze and skin closely...if they get worse, we'll think again. now i just have to tell my homeopath i'm not taking her advice (i'm crap at this)...

will keep you posted.

Sophable, havnt read all this but my Ds has a Dairy, Gluten and soya free diet at the moment due to allergies. We are re inroducing Soya next week then after 4 weeks will try him on a bit of Gluten and see if he reacts. The Pead hopes he will grow out of the dairy allergy but not sure as his dad still has it. Hope you get it sorted as to be truthful i find it hard thinking what to give him, but he is so healthy now that i wouldnt want to jepordise that.Its suspected that he has coeliacs disease which is life long but they cant blood test him unless i give him gluten, but if i do that he could get ill.