I have two children, the oldest child Ellie who is 4 has a dairy allergy. From the age of 6 months I was convinced that Ellie could not tolerate milk, my first experience of giving her custard at this age resulted in a fantastic display of projectile vomiting, with us both ending up in the bath! It took me until she was a year old to convince my health visitor that she had a problem, as she was my first child I did not feel in a strong enough position to stand my ground. She was duly given a hospital appointment where she was given a RAST test (blood test) which proved she had a Class 2 allergy to milk (moderate allergy).

Ellie was seen regularly by the hospital but as she is a healthy lively average weight child the visits were no longer seen as necessary. Unfortunately there is very little backup from the health
profession, my health visitor has never even heard of the RAST test. I have no idea of how long Ellie may have this allergy or if she can be re-tested under the NHS.

My main area of help came from a vegan friend who directed me to products she could eat. I would recommend the "Animal Free Shopper" from the Vegan Society that details exactly which brands of which foods are OK.

The Animal Free Shopper, published by the Vegan Society, is a directory of products that meet their vegan criteria, as submitted by their manufacturers and retailers.

Also, Ellie has very few treats (dairy chocolate being out), and I wanted to be able to give her special things at Christmas and Easter just like her sister who has no allergy. There is an excellent company called D & D Chocolates, 261 Forest Rd, Loughborough LE11 3HT, Tel: 01509 216400 who make Easter Eggs, mini eggs, chocolate Xmas shapes for the tree and general goodies either in Dark couverture dairy & gluten free chocolate or Carob. I can highly recommend the Dark chocolate which tastes wonderful. Although expensive it's well worth the smile you get when she sees the treats hanging from the tree.

D&D Chocolates manufacture their own chocolate and products can be purchased via mail order. They specialise in Easter and Christmas products, but also offer a range of regular chocolate products. Click here for a full list of products and contact details.

My experience has been to trust your instincts, even if you are a first time mum. I have also, through logging onto your site "hopped" to "allergyfoundation.com" who seem to have lots of good information and a helpline where I can ask the questions I've always wanted to but haven't felt that I could ask my health visitor/doctor.

Lots of love Sheila of Welford!

SUPPORT LINKS

The British Allergy Foundation provides information and support to sufferers and their families. Leaflets, fact sheets and regular newsletters are available. In addition they run a helpline and support groups throughout the country. Deepdene House 30 Bellegrove Road Welling Kent, DA16 3PY 020 8303 8525 Allergy Helpline - 020 8303 8583 Open 9am - 5pm, Monday to Friday www.allergyfoundation.com No cow's milk for me thanks - www.lactoseintolerance.co.uk This site, run by the father of a lactose intolerant child was the first UK site for people with lactose intolerance and milk allergies. The site contains a wide range of helpful information for lactose intolerance sufferers including a monthly newsletter and a comprehensive on-line bookshop. The site is a source of support for parents facing the problems of children who have been diagnosed with a dairy allergy or lactose intolerance. www.foodsmatter.com An invaluable monthly support magazine for anyone suffering from a food allergy/intolerance or living on a restricted diet, whatever the cause. www.dairyfree.org.uk This site has been set up by a lady who is intolerant to dairy, caffeine and citrus. Her aim is to help people who suffer with dairy intolerances/allergies. On the site you can find information about dairy intolerance and allergies, details of companies that supply dairy free products and many links to other sites that offer information and online shops. www.milkfree.org.uk This site is run by the mum of a milk intolerant child. They like to think of the site as an online support group offering support, friendship, knowledge, and inspiration to the parents of milkfree kids by the parents of milkfree kids. www.veganharlow.co.uk This is a web-based guide to finding animal-free food in the Harlow area aimed at vegans and dairy-intolerant people. There is also an excellent section on alternatives to dairy products that gives some great snack and meal ideas. Go to 'Catering for Vegans' from their home page. Nambudripad's Allergy Elimination Techniques This technology has been brought to our attention and although we haven't used it ourselves but we have been advised that it would be of interest to parents with children who stuggle with allergies. Nambudripad's Allergy Elimination Techniques is a revolutionary system for dealing with allergies. It is a natural, drugless, painless, non-invasive method that can be used safely from a one-day-old infant to anyone of advanced age, on a healthy person to treat hidden allergies that could cause diseases in the future or on patients in real suffering, invalids or patients in a coma, to permanently eliminate allergies and symptoms arising from previous exposure to allergens and their allergic manifestations. www.naeteurope.com

Your Stories and Experiences

Our son had a dairy allergy they still don't take us seriously despite him sicking over everyone and everything if so much as sniffs dairy produce

Anna

Having read a few stories from other parents, I now feel confident to share my concerns too. My daughter is now 20 months old and she has been suffering with rashes all over her chest, belly and her back since she was 11 months old. We have seen her GP a number of times and they have prescribed a few creams like Aqueous,epaderm, DiproBase and bath oils like oilatum and Balneum. Whilst my wife and I continue to use these remedies none of them appear to be doing the trick. Our daughter continues to itch constantly. We sometimes think she may be allergic to cows milk as she drinks it regularly. The rashes on her skin also look like eczema, but GP been able to confirm this. We are now very worried that the rashes may damage her skin as she often scratches herself sometimes draws blood. Please I would appreciate it if any of you parents are facing a similar experience.

Jo

Like yourself I too realised that there was something wrong with my first little boy. I remember having to rush him to a&e once when his lips swelled up when he had some cheese spread. I was advised to see my GP. Who never took me seriously. First I was advised to keep him off dairy for two weeks. Then two months. I was advised that there was no test and was just allowed to see a dietian who had no expirence with babies. Like yourself Ive no idea when he will "grow out off it" as told by gp. I keep trying to introduce milk now and again but he becomes very loose. He will be three in June!

Samantha