Allergic Reactions to Milk-Contaminated “Nondairy” Products

Abstract

ADVERSE reactions to cow's milk have been estimated to occur in 0.1 to 7.5 percent of children. 1 , 2 A variety of manifestations have been reported, including urticaria, angioedema, atopic dermatitis, rhinitis, wheezing, anaphylactic reactions, various gastrointestinal syndromes, and failure to thrive. 3 , 4 Some patients may be extremely sensitive to milk; the ingestion of as little as one drop has been reported to cause generalized reactions. 5 In children, repeated exposures to small quantities of food allergens may lead to recurrence of symptoms and delay the resolution of food allergy. 2 , 6 , 7 The management of sensitivity to cow's milk is based on the complete elimination of. © 1991, Massachusetts Medical Society. All rights reserved.