Milk allergy is one of the most common food allergies in U.S. children; affecting 1 to 5% of children. Symptoms of milk allergy can range from mild to fatal.A study in the May 2013 issue of Annals of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology reports: - 20%: the percentage of food-allergic children who have milk allergy
- 2 years: the average age of first milk allergy symptoms (other food allergies was 4 years old)
- 31%: the occurrence of severe allergic reactions (other food allergies was 47%)
- Presenting symptoms: vomiting (48%), diarrhea (46%), hives (35%), and eczema (35%)
- Most common severe symptoms: wheezing (21%) and trouble breathing (17%)
- 4 years old: average age at which milk allergy resolved; (6 years old with other allergies)
- Milk-allergic children were twice as likely to outgrow milk allergy compared to other food allergies
- 47% of milk allergic children also had seasonal allergies (hay fever) and 1/3 of these were springtime
- Older children are twice as likely to have severe milk allergy symptoms compared to children < 2 years old.
- Caucasian children are more than twice as likely to experience milk allergy compared to African American or Asian children
At Family Allergy Asthma & Sinus Care, we can evaluate for true milk allergy so unnecessary measures that may significantly affect a child’s quality of life can be avoided. |