DD newly diagnosed: milk and egg

JenOSU · September 2011

Hi!

My 13 month old DD was diagnosed with egg and milk allergies yesterday through skin tests. We have seen her react to egg so that was no surprise. We have never noticed any reaction to milk products.

So, is there really a need to remove something she tests positive for from her diet if she doesn't react to it? My husband thinks this is all overreacting since she has eaten milk products with seemingly no problem for months.

Also, the allergist told us to use soy formula for the next year because soy milk doesn't have the proper nutrients for her at this age. He didn't mention anything about cheese or yogurt. I will call on Monday when they are open, but are those generally restricted along with a milk allergy?

On the sheet he gave me it said +3 for egg and +2 for milk. I'm not sure if that helps in any way with answering my questions.

Thanks!

loveemandle2 · September 2011

Did she have the blood test done as well? I think it is possible to test postive for an allergen and not have a reaction it. I would ask for a RAST blood test if there hasn't already been done. However, there maybe somethings that maybe you have overlooked and didn't there were reactions that really are? Ecezma, wheezing, poop issues, stuff like that?

What did the allergist suggest with the allergies? Did he/she tell you to completley to avoid those two things? As far as the soy formual as opposed to soy milk.. I have never heard of that. We cut all dairy out of my dd's diet at 1 year and went to soy and she is fine.

heyitsme · September 2011

Skin tests only have a 50% accuracy rate, so I'd request a blood test to confirm allergies. I know in many cases a blood test is done before skin tests--to narrow down what to test the skin for.

Source.

"for foods, especially in the model of atopic dermatitis- a type of eczema, positive food tests are a 50-50 proposition. Half of the time the positive result may not mean anything clinically- the concept of a false positive."

luvmagoldn · September 2011

DS#3 is allergic to milk, egg, peanuts, tree nuts and sesame. He also tests positive for soy but has never reacted so he's been consuming it since he was a couple of months old with no problems.

In your case, I agree with the pp's about requesting a RAST to confirm the skin test results. As for soy formula, we went off soy formula at one year and went straight to soy milk. I asked our pedi if he should stay on the formula but she said no. She didn't want me relying on the formula for nutrition so she referred us to a nutritionist who gave us great ideas on how to make sure he gets the calories he needs. We haven't had any issues with weight gain since he was really little.

If your LO is allergic and reacting to foods then yes, you need to avoid them in all forms (some of which can be hidden forms). So if milk turns out to be an issue then you have to avoid milk, yogurt, ice cream, cheese and a bunch of processed foods as well, including almost all commercially made breads. I would suggest checking out the FAAN website. They have extensive lists of all the names for the top eight allergens to look for in ingredient lists.

Good luck and welcome to the board.

skiwic8 · September 2011

I am just beginning to do allergy testing for my son so I can't really speak to what the results actually mean. I do want to respond to the soy milk comment though. There are so many other and in my opinion better alternative's to soy milk. In my house we use Coconut milk. My son and I have been dairy free for almost a year. I have never given him soymilk and he is doing fine. And for the "nutrition" he is missing with cow's milk he makes up for in his diet.

magdusia · September 2011

did she ever have a RAST (blood) test? You only mention the skin test.. If she had a skin test and never a blood test by the allergist, i would go find a new allergist now.

I'm not a fan of the formula answer (my own opinion).. my son was on rice milk since age 1 and he's fine.. soy milk is totally fine for 1 year olds and has all the nutrition needed (there are MANY vegan children that live on soy milk). --but this also depends on your DD weight and if she's thriving.. is her weight ok?

JenOSU · September 2011

I called today and confirmed that she isn't supposed to have ANY dairy. They never specifically mentioned anything but soy formula instead of milk at the appointment so I spent the weekend hopeful that she would be able to eat cheese, yogurt, etc. Now it is sinking in that this is going to be really challenging!

I will bring up the formula vs. soy milk question with her pediatrician at her 15 month checkup in November or I might call sooner to just ask the phone nurse. DD is right around 50% for weight and height so that seems fine.

They only did the skin test, so I will also ask her pedi about the RAST. I know the egg and milk were only one apart in the test, so I just have to wonder if the milk reaction was really a carry-over reaction to the egg. The allergist said the small reaction from the cocoa bean, which was between milk and egg, was due to carry-over.

aniceucchik · September 2011

We have to avoid all things dairy, but that is his highest level allergy and he gets instant hives when any touches his mouth/skin. He has also been on regular soy milk since around 11m and the pedi has said nothing about it. I wouldnt give rice milk since it contains no proteins, but soy should be ok, IMO.

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