Milk allergies in children are driven by an immune system reaction to the proteins in cow’s milk. Due to concern over potentially severe symptoms, many Atlanta parents are interested in how to find an effective milk allergy treatment for their child. But is it necessary to treat allergic reactions to milk, or will children eventually just outgrow their allergy?
Is It Possible for Children to Outgrow a Milk Allergy?
Given the impact on health, diet and lifestyle, many parents naturally wonder if their child will outgrow a milk allergy. Let’s examine the key points on this issue and see how allergists can tell when a child is no longer allergic to milk.
At What Age Does a Milk Allergy Develop?
People of all ages can have a milk allergy, though it’s more likely to occur in childhood. Typically, milk allergies develop in infancy, often before a child reaches their first birthday. After a young child with an allergy is first exposed to milk, it’s common for them to have symptoms like hives, diarrhea, vomiting or breathing difficulties.
There’s no firm answer on the estimated number of children that are affected, but a milk allergy is considered to be one of the most common allergies affecting infants and young children. A study published by JAMA Pediatrics found that 1% of infants had a cow’s milk allergy (as confirmed by a food challenge). However, a reported 15%–20% of infants experienced crying, vomiting and rashes from milk consumption. To avoid confusion, parents can speak with a food allergy specialist for accurate testing.
When Do Children Outgrow Milk Allergies?
While some children can benefit from allergy desensitization, others will quickly outgrow their milk allergy. Analysis in ScienceDirect compared data and found that in one study, 76% of children with an IgE-mediated milk allergy became tolerant to milk by the age of 3 years. Another study found that 38% of children developed a tolerance to milk by the median age of 3 years. A further study revealed that 79% of children had outgrown their milk allergy by age 16.
Such data suggests that a significant portion of children will indeed eventually outgrow a milk allergy, but predicting if and when this will happen is challenging. To avoid the risk of a severe allergic reaction, children can undergo periodic food allergy testing under medical supervision to confirm whether their immune system can tolerate milk proteins.
For those who don’t outgrow their food allergy or experience health risks from milk exposure, oral immunotherapy treatment can offer relief. This desensitization treatment builds immune system tolerance through safe, gradual exposure to milk.
Get Relief From Milk Allergies at Our Atlanta Allergy Centers
Chacko Allergy, Asthma and Sinus Center provides dependable food allergy treatment and testing services. If your child has the symptoms of a milk allergy, visit us in Alpharetta, Atlanta, Canton, Cumming, Druid Hills, Duluth or Johns Creek for assistance. Call (678) 668-4688 or request an appointment today.
