What should I ask the allergy consultant tomorrow?

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My 7mnth old DD finally has her appointment at the paediatric allergy clinic tomorrow. When she was 5mnth I gave her formula for the first time and she immediatley came out in severe hives. GP diagnosed cows milk protein allergy and she has had no dairy since. We then realised that when I eat dairy she tends to throw up more and get rashes so I have been dairy free too. However DP accidently gave her a Hipp pott containing some cheese and milk and she was fine (!?). What must I remember to ask the paed tomorrow? I have thought of the following questions but would like reassurance that they cover most bases (or suggestions if they don't!)

• Does her lack of reaction to the Hipp pott suggest it was not a dairy allergy but a reaction to something else in formula?
• If so how can we find out if it is safe to give her more dairy?
• If it is a dairy allergy how long must she remain diary free?
• Could the next exposure be so severe that it affects her breathing? If so should she have an epi pen and what should I instruct the nursery (where she starts in 6 weeks)?
• What milk can she have when I return to work in 6 weeks (she hates Neocate)?
• Are there other food groups I should be wary of during the weaning process?

Bump in case any of the evening crowd can help. Please?

I'm no expert but my dd has food allergies and I might want to know...

Is she likely to be allergic to other foods?

Could she be RAST tested on common allergens or is she too young?

Could you give me some advice re. keeping a food diary please?

If she has a reaction, how should I treat it? (Is she old enough for Piriton or is there a better alernative)?

I think you've alerady got some thoughtful questions there. Hope it goes well!

Thanks Roseylea those are good questions. I am so bad with doctors so I need to have everything written down before I go!

Presumably in the hipp pot the milk had been cooked so ask if it suggests she is OK with cooked milk. They may arrange a food challenge - where a child suspected of allergy is given the food in hospital under carefully controlled conditions. If they don't and they want you to try dairy yourself ask if it shouldn't be done in hospital. If they suggest staying dairy free ask if it would be worth trying a food challenge given the lack of reaction.

If you look at other threads different milk substitutes have been mentioned here. The one I know about is Pepti Junior but I've seen others mentioned.

Cheese causes fewer problems than milk so ask if you need to avoid all cows milk protein or just milk. Ask if giving probiotics would help and if they say yes can they prescribe one.

Good luck.

Thanks Tatt - those are brilliant suggestions. I am beginning to feel prepared now.

how did it go?

It went pretty well I think- thanks for asking. The consultant was lovely and listened really carefully. They took some blood to test for dairy and egg allergies. They also referred us to a dietitician to work out how to get calcium into DD when I am back at work and can no longer BF. The dietician was aalso asked to arrange a food challenge. We are going back to see the consultant in 3 months but should see the dietician and get the blood results much sooner.

I did not know they could test for allergies through blood. Although they said it was a pretty blunt tool and the food challenge will give a more detailed view of what DD can and cannot eat.

The only bad part was when they tried to find a vein to take blood from 7 month old DD. Her veins were all too small. Her wrists are all bruised today .

the small veins are why they don't usually do it on 7 month old, especially if they are going to do a food challenge anyway. The blood test will tell you if there are antibodies to dairy and egg but as they said you can have antibodies and it doesn't always mean the child will react badly. Can take up to 4 weeks for blood tests depending on whether they do them locally or send them away.

Hope the food challenge goes well.