Milk Allergy

[Zacksmom]

My year old son has been exclusively breastfed since birth.  When we tried whole milk at the one year mark he had trouble breathing and vomiting.  The doctors have equiped us with Epipens and tested him for allergies.  The only things that came back were Milk and a very slight egg white sensitivity.  My question is about my diet.  He still nurses 2-3 times per day.  Is the milk in my diet further sensitizing him to milk products?  Should I wean to be sure of a completely milk-free diet?  The allergist scheduled us to return in a year to see if he is out-growing the milk allergy and gave us very little information.  Also, in the event of an anaphylaxis event would the Epipen save him?  (Stupid question but I am sooo new to allergies!)

[mom@homenow]

I don't know for sure about your diet while breastfeeding, but since they tell us not to drink while breastfeeding because the alcohol can pass to the child, why wouldn't the milk protiens you drink be able to as well? Anyway, I think it would be worth your calling an allergist about it for clarification. As for the epipen jr, yes, it is to counteract a severe reaction & anaphlaxis, and should save him. There are always extreme exceptions to everything and I'm sure you've heard horror stories, but mostly the epinephrine works. If he does react and you give it to him be sure to still take him to the ER because if the allergen is still in his system when the med wears off then he could start reacting again.

I'm sure the dr told you this but just in case, you should be aware that giving him the epipen when he is not having a severe reaction won't hurt him, it'll just make his heart race. I say this because I know how scary it is to try to determine if the child is really having an allergic reaction, and it's safer to just give it to him than stand there waiting for several minutes while you try to determine just what is "severe" enough to need it.

[Zacksmom]

Thanks!  This allergy thing is a nightmare.  I never gave much thought to the challenges parents face when dealing with this issue.  I now know...

[mom@homenow]

You're welcome, I know what you're going through. If it makes you feel any better, it is likely a good thing that he vomits the milk up. That expells it from his body so not as much is absorbed- and also gives you a head's up that he's been exposed. Most children with food allergies do not vomit, they often just get some hives, itching and then if a severe reaction happens then their throat starts to swell. It isn't always so obvious right away that they've been exposed. So throwing it up is actually a wonderful thing. My son happens to do the same with peanuts & tree nuts, and although it was embarrassing & inconvenient before we realized his allergies, now I am so thankful. I'd rather deal with that any day than the anaphlaxis with no warning. You have a good chance he'll outgrow the milk allergy, that is one many kids do. Unfortunately my son's are not usually outgrown and he'll likely have to be extremely careful his whole life. Good luck to you.

[pidi]

<p>Hi Zack! <br>
  I don't know if this can help you, but I Have the same problem and I found good information on Milk Allergy on a website named Act Against Allergy, at the address <a href="www.actagainstallergy.com">www.actagainstallergy.com:</a> there is a section on all symptoms and treatment of this problem, together with a deep description of several diseases that can be a conseguence of this allergy, such as the athopic dermatitis or eczema, the gastroenteropathies, the esophagitis and the colitic problems. <br>
  Maybe it can help you, I hope!<br>
  Kisses<br>
  Pidi</p>