Milk Allergy

[Tee20x]

Hi all,

Started weaning DD 6 MO a few days ago starting with green veg etc and yesterday introduced her to weetabix porridge using full fat cows milk. If it makes any difference, I microwaved the milk to turn the weetabix into porridge consistency but then had to add some cold milk to thin the mixture out She ate about 3 spoons & broke out in hives under her chin.

DD has eczema, so at the time was unsure if the milk was just making the eczema flair up or if it is a milk allergy she has. Hives went down within about an hour and DD was fine - no distress, as if she didn't even notice they were there.

Contacted GP as I want to be referred for a skin prick test - eczema, asthma and hayfever run in the family so with this reaction to cows milk I am fearful that she has other allergies to which the reaction could be more severe.

GP advised that almost all children with eczema get triggered by cows milk and eggs but that they can grow out of it. He stressed the importance of not cutting it out, as this could result in an anaphylactic reaction in future.

I guess the idea is that by repeat exposure in small doses the body gets used to it ( sorry not sciencey at all!). While I understand where he is coming from is this truly safe ?? He says that it is unlikely that it will result in a serious adverse reaction but how can he be sure of this?

Does anyone have any experience? :(

I am looking into getting a skin prick test done privately so if anyone has any recommendations for clinics in London I would be most grateful.

I went through this with DD, as have a lot of parents and it's really stressful, so please don't panic! DD's allergy consultant told us to make sure we introduced all major allergens as normal, don't hold back through fear, just keep a note each day of what you give them. The GP is right to say that you shouldn't exclude foods...however, if your DD has further hives then maybe look at the milk ladder and offer milk in a more broken-down form (baked) for a while.

@PragmaticWench first of all - love the username haha. Secondly thanks for your response - I think my main fear is that obviously they can't speak so can't say if something hurts or if they feel as if their throat is closing etc.

I will have a look at the milk ladder, have seen it mentioned in a few posts. From what I have read it seems to be that children may be able to tolerate milk in things such as cake etc but struggle with "raw" milk so to speak.

What sorts of things can I offer DD to test the waters?

Feels like there's so much to read up on now & has really made me more weary of introducing other known allergens. Will definitely keep a list of what I have introduced and the reaction to it.

Would it be wise to get a skin prick test first or just carry on as normal and introduce things such as peanut butter etc?

I'd personally try biscuit, then cake, then a cheese sauce and then yoghurt. Don't worry about them not being able to talk, trust yourself, you'll notice severe symptoms as you know your baby!

I can only offer the advice our consultant gave which was to just feed them all allergens, one at a time. The earlier they are introduced the better. We couldn't access skin prick tests for quite a while and when we went they wanted to know if DD had reacted to anything so were expecting us to have tried all foods first.

Just wanted to come on and update incase anyone comes across this thread is in a similar situation as I find it useful myself.

After seeing the price of a private skin prick test I contacted GP again and spoke to a different one who happened to previously work in paeds at an A&E - considering all of my concerns we agreed that he would refer me to the paediatric allergy clinic at my local hospital & luckily for me there was an appointment within the same week.

Skin prick test done & it turns out that she is allergic to cows milk and that it is IgE mediated. Dr at the clinic said that the milk ladder etc is for non- IgE mediated food allergies and that I shouldn't be looking to go down this route as reactions can become more severe etc.

Discussed that as she seems to be able to tolerate baked milk in things like cake and pancakes in small amounts - to carry on with this but be extremely mindful.

Also now have a prescription for antihistamine and an action plan to provide nursery with.

I guess all I want to say is keep pushing if you think something doesn't seem right and always get a second and third opinion!