Because of Cady's such severe reaction to a tiny bit of butter on fish last night, I did a little research and found this interesting tidbit:

Hugh A. Sampson, M. D. wrote an article for “Food Allergy News” published by The Food Allergy & Anaphylaxis Network (FAAN) in June-July 2004 regarding Milk and Egg Allergies. In this article, he stated:

“Virtually all infants who develop cow’s milk allergy do so in the first year of life, with about 80% ‘outgrowing’ their milk allergy by their fifth birthday. About 60% of cow’s milk-allergic infants experience IgE-mediated reactions, or the more classical ‘immediate’ reactions affecting the skin (hives and eczema), gastrointestinal tract (crampy abdominal pain and vomiting), and the respiratory tract (nasal congestion, sneezing and wheezing). Nearly 25% of these milk-allergic infants retain their sensitivity into the second decade of life, and 35% go on to develop other food allergies.

Non IgE-mediated milk allergy affects primarily the gastrointestinal tract resulting in a number of different allergic disorders: milk-induced enterocolitis syndrome, proctocolitis syndrome, allergic eosinophilic esophagitis, etc., that can lead to poor growth and failure to thrive.”

I guess I found this useful, because it is saying that there is a VERY good chance that Cady could grow out of this, but yet there is a chance she could carry this with her into adulthood.

I got this info from the following website: http://www.allergicchild.com/milk_allergy.htm

Alright, well I just felt a need to look some of this stuff up, since the GI didn't really tell me that she could have this sort of reaction and whether or not she could grow out of this.

“Virtually all infants who develop cow’s milk allergy do so in the first year of life, with about 80% ‘outgrowing’ their milk allergy by their fifth birthday. About 60% of cow’s milk-allergic infants experience IgE-mediated reactions, or the more classical ‘immediate’ reactions affecting the skin (hives and eczema), gastrointestinal tract (crampy abdominal pain and vomiting), and the respiratory tract (nasal congestion, sneezing and wheezing). Nearly 25% of these milk-allergic infants retain their sensitivity into the second decade of life, and 35% go on to develop other food allergies.



Judy, thanks for the link. This totally perfectly explains now why Owen reacts to so many other foods as well. Now if they would just have that on a German website so I could show it to my Mom.

yes there is a chance she can grow out of it. Eliana was the same way. she could not tolerate soy or cow's milk. well at 16 months old (17mos next week) she was able to tolerate cow's milk. of course she only gets 24 ounces of it per day. sometimes slightly less. plus 6-12 ounces of water per day. :hello2:

I will cross my fingers for you Judy that she will outgrow this when she's older and will eventually be able to enjoy all of the things she can't have now:)

That is some interesting info you found...thanks for sharing!

Interesting!!

My SIL is lactose intolerant, but craves milk like crazy when she is pregnant! And it gives her no trouble then. Our bodies are amazing to say the least!

Thanks Judy. :hello2:

Emma's the only one in our family (even extended family) that's allergic to milk and soy so it was a huge shock to us.

I am hoping that she outgrows this, too!

Cady's the only one in my family with a milk allergy, as well. It was quite a shock here as well. If she was intolerant, it would not be as big of a deal, but she is truly allergic and that is genuinely frightening so finding something that says she might grow out of it sometime in the next five years of so makes me feel a little better about it.

That is interesting Judy. I hope she outgrows it too. How do you know rather they are intolerant or allergic??

It is based upon symptoms, per our GI. Here's another thing from another website:

Lactose Intolerance
Lactose intolerance is not an allergy to milk or lactose. Lactose intolerance is an inherited deficiency of intestinal lactase enzyme which results in the milk sugar (lactose) remaining undigested in the gut, and then being fermented by gut bacteria to produce lactic acid. This causes bloating, gas, cramps and diarrhea, which often occurs several hours after ingestion of lactose. This is treated by substituting a lactose reduced milk (e.g., Lactaid milk) or taking lactase enzyme (Lactaid tablets) with milk products. Lactose intolerant people can often take small amounts of milk and lactose with no symptoms (usually up to 100 ml or 3 oz. cow's milk) and strict milk avoidance is unnecessary. Strict avoidance of lactose worsens the problem. Continued ingestion of lactose helps the gut continue to be able to digest some lactose.


Cow's milk allergy is very common and usually disappears by age two to three years, but may occasionally be lifelong. Children who are milk allergic will often refuse to take milk when given to them. Rashes, hives, vomiting or diarrhea are the most likely symptoms. Milk allergic people react to the milk protein, and not the milk sugar (lactose). There are many hidden sources of cow's milk protein. Three quarters of children with food allergies and eczema develop asthma and environmental allergies. This is called the 'allergic march'. First eczema beginning at age 6 weeks to 3 months, then food allergies, then asthma usually before age 5 years, then environmental allergies. The most common food allergies in young children are milk, eggs and peanut. What can happen during an allergic reaction?
An allergic reaction to a food usually begins within minutes but may be delayed for 2-4 hours and usually lasts less than one day. The more severe the allergy, the smaller the amount required to cause a reaction. Typical immediate allergic reactions to foods include rash, hives or redness around the mouth, which may spread to the rest of the body, immediate runny nose, sneezing and itchy watery eyes, coughing, choking or gagging, wheezing and trouble breathing, and cramps, vomiting and diarrhea. The allergic reaction can stop at any stage, or may cause anaphylaxis. Anaphylaxis is a severe allergic reaction which involves several parts of the body and can lead to death.

Cady reacted within minutes to a very small amount of butter, with hives and reflux activity, then severe vomiting two hours later. However, she was diagnosed simply on her rash by the GI as an allergy.

Thanks for this great info Judy...I was told Chelsea may outgrow it but I have been told that about everything she has and we are still waiting for the outgrowing part! We have gotten so used to the diet that it doesn't bother us anymore. I dont think Chelsea would try a milk product even if I begged, she has it ingrained in her mind that she is allergic. It is SO cute, when she is out and someone offers her something to eat she asks "does this have cows milk in it? I am 'awegic' to cows milk".

I taught her to say she can only have rice milk so they will know she is allergc to soy too. My best friend who knows about it said that Chelsea told her that when they were eating at their house without me and that she looked like a little lady saying it! She even says it to me when I make something or offer her something. My 4 year old is very on top of things! It makes it much easier on me as well!!!

Interesting!!

My SIL is lactose intolerant, but craves milk like crazy when she is pregnant! And it gives her no trouble then. Our bodies are amazing to say the least!

I, too, have a lactose intolerance (self-diagnosed based on symptoms) and I, too, had no problem with dairy during my pregnancies! I just thought perhaps I wasn't truly intolerant (and still might not be), but now I wonder...

As for the milk allergy info, thanks so much for sharing, Judy! I honestly had no idea that a person could outgrow an allergy--I was always told that allergies were for life and only intolerances could be outgrown. It really does pay to do your own research and not rely solely on doctors' advice!