6 month old with cows milk protein allergy and conflicting medical advice

[FantasticDaisyArtichoke]

Hello

I am a bit sad to have to be posting in this section but last week I introdcued my DD to formula for the first time (she has been fully breastfed up to now). The formula caused an instantaneous reaction with hives all over her face and neck. This happened on two different brands. However DD has had a jar of baby rice which contained whole milk and was fine.

I spoke to a paeditrician who is a friend from NCT and she said not to give anymore cowns milk products at all as they could cause anaphalactic(sp?) shock and breathing problems. She said to get referred to a hospital where they would investigate the severity of the allergy and give advice about when to try any cows milk product again (she thought it would be a year before I could try anything again). However I then went to my GP who seemed much less concerned. She prescribed a hypoallergenic formula called Neocate but when I asked about avoiding dairy while weaning she said I should try some dairy as DD had been OK with the rice. She even said she could not guarantee there would be no anaphalatic shock but it was worth trying. To me that sounded liek gambling with my baby's life in my kitchen but maybe that is over dramatic.

I wondered if anyone has any good advice. Should I go back to my GP and insist on a referal? Or should I relax and carry on weaning as planned?

your gp is ignorant, as so many are. It is not the first contact with an allergen you need to worry about but the second and later ones. You should not be giving cows milk again until you have seen a consultant and they will probably want you to leave it a year. Your baby may not have an anaphylactic reaction and may even be Ok with cooked milk (cooking changes the proteins and makes it less allergenic) but no-one with experience of allergies is going to tell you to try it. Anaphylactic reactions aren't always reversible, especially if you don't have adrenaline handy.

As children who have one allergy quite often develop another its best to avoid any trace of dairy (including goats milk and eggs, whey and casein) until you've seen a consultant. I would also steer clear of soya and keep a bottle of piriton handy. If your child ever does develop breathing problems phone an ambulance, give piriton but don't rely on it working.

I'd try to see a different gp - and if they are still a pain ask to see a dietician. Milk allergy is often outgrown between age 2 and 3, hope your child outgrows it.

Thank you Tatt. Your advice chimes exactly with what I was thinking. I am just going to have to go back to my GP and insist on a referral - I am terrible at being forcefull with the medical profession but I will have to bite the bullet. I just cannot believe that the GP thinks I should risk anaphylactic shock in my kitchen with no medical back up.

I would also like to apologise for the typing and spelling in my original post. DD woke up just as I was finishing so I had no time to check my post before sending it.

I hope if your child has a reaction it wouldn't be anaphylactic. Many more people have non-anaphylactic reactions than have anaphylactic ones. But unfortunately it isn't easy for anyone, even a consultant, to tell you what type of reaction your child will have. Even if your child never has an anaphylactic reaction rashes are usually itchy, no fun for the child and therefore best avoided. Whatever type of reaction your child has you need to get some good advice on managing the condition/ the risk of other allergies developing. You obviously won't get that from your gp.

Best of luck with getting a referral.....

Very good advice on the kind of things I need to ask about. Thanks.

Just to say I went back to the surgery today and saw a different GP. He was lovely and listened to all my concerns. He said if I wanted a referral he was happy to give me one (didn't sound like he would have done it if I had not asked). Anyway the upshot is that we have been referred to a paediatric allergy clinic at St Mary's in Paddington. The appointment might take a few months so I will be careful to avoid giving DD dairy until then. What about other proteins? Do you know whether she is likely to be OK with fish and meat?

how old are they? The safest meat to try first is lamb as that's the least allergenic. Fish causes more problems so you normally try meat before fish. Have you tried vegetable proteins?

we ve just been to the clinic for allergy testing in kings london and theydid prick test ..it came back as very mild and probably to milk proteins..dr was a bit vague ..make sure you ask lots of questions whilst there, fortunately my son doesnt have instant reactions[igE mediated] he has non IGE mediated which means he gets reractions days later in a slower form..gut problems and eczema[sp?] we have to see dietician as to advise about weaning,,were on neocate now and medication for reflux..dr advised keep off milk proably until a year old..avoid wheat and oats until around 8-9 months maybe older and only give soy yog from about 7 months..stick to fruit and veg until 6 months then meat then fish..no eggs