For young children and their families, milk allergy treatment approaches can vary significantly. While some Atlanta kids require long-term allergy care, many gradually develop tolerance to dairy products as they grow older. Determining whether a young patient will develop a tolerance to milk proteins won’t always be easy. However, there are several steps you can take to identify your child’s allergy status.
Is It Possible for My Child to Outgrow a Milk Allergy?
Although it can be a serious health risk, for most children milk allergies will not be a lifelong issue. A significant number of infants outgrow a milk allergy within their first year, others by the time they reach ages 3 to 5 – and many more before they reach their teenage years. For some children, however, the dairy allergy persists throughout their lifetime and requires ongoing management to prevent allergic reactions.
According to one study published by the National Library of Medicine, about half of children outgrow their milk allergy before they reach 1 year of age. Within the fifth year, approximately 80–90% of children dealing with a milk allergy will no longer have a sensitivity to milk proteins.
However, the American College of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology notes that recent studies indicate milk allergies may persist for far longer. The ACAAI suggests that fewer than 20% had outgrown their allergy by age 4, though by age 16 this number had reached 80%. While figures may vary, it’s essential to identify the best milk allergy treatment to protect children who face the risk of anaphylaxis.
How to Manage Your Child’s Milk Allergy
When you suspect a milk allergy exists, the first step is to visit your allergist for testing. Skin prick testing is the most common testing option here, but as Food Allergy Research & Education highlights, measuring antibody levels with blood testing can indicate whether a child will likely outgrow their allergy.
After testing, your allergist may recommend avoiding contact with milk and products containing milk. This avoidance will require reading food labels, while also carrying epinephrine auto-injectors as a precaution.
What Can I Do if My Child Doesn’t Outgrow a Milk Allergy?
If your child doesn’t outgrow a milk allergy, there are still effective food allergy treatments available. Oral immunotherapy treatment is a likely choice, as this treatment desensitizes the immune system to the presence of milk proteins. Here, children will receive gradually increasing doses of milk protein over several months. This steady, measured process helps build a tolerance. In response the body eventually becomes desensitized, and a treated child can tolerate milk without experiencing a severe allergic reaction.
Milk Allergy Treatments for Children in Atlanta
If your child is experiencing the symptoms of a milk allergy, our food allergy specialists can help. We provide accurate allergy testing and personalized treatment in our centers across the Atlanta area. For assistance, call (678) 668-4688 or request an appointment today.
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