Very Delayed Reactions in Cow’s Milk-Intolerant Children – (08-14-00)

Very Delayed Reactions in Cow’s Milk-Intolerant Children

Until we get away from the idea of getting an immediate allergic skin reaction as evidence of food allergy, we will never come to fully appreciate how prevalent and important food allergies really are. This study noted effects TWO WEEKS after exposure.

Allergy 2000;55:574-579 In the initial challenge, no children showed very delayed reactions (i.e., by more than 72 hours) to cow’s milk, the results indicate. However, there were three cases of very delayed reactions at the year 1 “cure challenge,” six cases after 2 years, and eight cases after 3 years. Among the ten patients with very delayed reactions, the investigators note, the mean time between the initiation of the challenge and the onset of any clinical symptom was 13.3 days. All symptoms disappeared after reinstitution of a cow’s milk-free diet.