Infantreflux.org | Could it be a milk allergy?

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September 6, 2006 at 10:07 pm #13051

Anonymous
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Looking back at Kaelyn’s first year, there were several signs that she had a milk allergy that we ignored because she didn’t have a lot of the “typical” signs of an allergy. So now I’m worried that I may be over reacting to every little thing that happens with Alex. Of course, I also want to make sure that I don’t miss something with her. It’s a no-win situation.

Kaelyn’s major sign of her allergy was eczema that gradually spread and eventually developed into a rash all over her body. However, it didn’t spread until she started solids that included milk (and wheat). Alex has had a patch of dry skin right above and between her eyebrows for over a month now. In the last week, she has developed dry, scaly patches on her arms as well.

So, is it “just eczema” or could it be a milk allergy? I know that babies can get eczema, but would it really last over a month? I also know that bathing too frequently can dry out their skin, but it’s not unusual for her to only get one bath a week, so I doubt that’s the issue. We actually tried bathing her more often to see if that was the issue and it didn’t make a difference.

September 7, 2006 at 9:48 am #13061

Anonymous
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It definitely sounds like eczema. All three of my babies have had eczema. Eliana and Myles had a definite milk sensitivity that would bring on eczema, but no other milk allergy/intolerance symptoms. They both outgrew the milk sensitivity during infancy…Eliana by her first birthday and Myles probably sooner but I didn’t give him milk formula until 9 months – and no eczema.

I don’t know a lot about this but I think the eczema is a reaction to milk sensitivity but it’s not the same as an intolerance. None of my three had the digestive issues from milk intolerance.

Also, eczema can be brought on by lots of things; it’s not always food. My children were (and still are) sensitive to laundry detergents, & soaps. I can only use unscented dove (the bars, not the body soap) on them, and I can only use “free and clear” laundry soaps. Fabric Softener almost always causes an outbreak, so I don’t use it anymore. Once when my mil was here she was doing the laundry and right away Myles had an outbreak all over his cheeks. Sure enough, she’d been using a different detergent, so I’m sure that’s an issue with my kids.

To clear up an outbreak my children’s doctor (and the dermotologist she consults with) suggest Cortaid 1% Ointment (not cream). It’s thick and greasy, but works great. She says to use a thin layer, twice daily for three days. It always cleared up my children’s eczema. Ask her doctor first, though.

Also, moisturizing at the earliest signs helps. Just be sure to use something that does not contain alcohol. You’d be surprised how many lotions out there contain alcohol. We just use bag balm or vaseline on the cheeks or forehead if they begin to look a little dry. I think some people use baby oil, but I hate that stuff.

I hope that helps.

September 7, 2006 at 12:10 pm #13071

Anonymous
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We had the same problem with milk, she is not allergic to it, it is just definately a sensitivity and intolerence. She would have the atopic dermititus on her eye lids and patches on her face. Seems like it would take alittle while for the milk to build up in her system before we would see a reaction. Maybe you could cut out milk for a couple of weeks and see if the rash starts to heal. These poor babies have so much to deal with, lets just pray they outgrow everything!! Best of luck! Sarah

September 7, 2006 at 12:55 pm #13072

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Thanks ladies! I do try to avoid all things that could trigger eczema. I’ve always used the free and clear laundry detergent with no fabric softener. Once we started seeing the eczema I started only using water at bathtime. We lotion frequently, and she has a checkup today and I’ll ask about starting with the cortisone.

It may just be a sensitivity at this point. I guess my concern is that she’s already on nutramigen which has very little milk in it and I’m still seeing a good amount of eczema. In order to cut out milk, I’d have to try neocate. However, her ped insists that nutramigen has no milk in it and that neocate is basically the same thing. So, do I wait it out and see if it gets worse, or do I fight for neocate now? Or, maybe just wait until Kaelyn’s checkup with the allergist in 2 weeks and ask him what he thinks about Alex’s eczema?

September 7, 2006 at 1:34 pm #13078

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kim,

matthew is allergic to eggs. the only reaction when he has eggs is eczema on the backs of his arms. very unlike the reactions he had to milk as an infant. so it is possible for ezcema to be the only sign of an allergy.

i really feel for you- trying to figure out this for alex. hopefully the allergist will have some insight. from my experience (w/ all 3 kids having almost same issues), i’d try for the neocate- especially knowing kaelyn’s history.

please keep us posted.

September 7, 2006 at 8:15 pm #13104

Anonymous
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Okay, the ped dismissed my concerns about the eczema. So, I guess I’ll just run it by the allergist and then try not to worry about it until I see more symptoms.

He also doesn’t seem worried about the fact that she is still a fairly reluctant eater. She weighed 9 lbs 15 oz which kept her right on the same track as she was at her last appointment, but she’s still not quite on the charts. He says that it’s not a problem, so I guess I’ll try not to worry about that either.

September 7, 2006 at 8:23 pm #13105

Anonymous
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I forgot to add that he also diagnosed her with laryngomalacia. We thought that she’d been congested since she was 2 weeks old, but he said that the noise is actually a result of laryngomalacia. From what I’ve read this evening it could be part of the reason that she had so much trouble nursing. It doesn’t really help us know what to do with her, but it’s interesting.

September 7, 2006 at 10:21 pm #13110

Anonymous
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Kim,

I noticed that Alexandra is now on reglan, how is that going for her. I think that Taylor needs a motility medication as well but I’m afraid of reglan’s side effects and it also has corn syrup as an inactive ingredient and I think she’s allergic to it. Anyways, have you noticed a difference in her eatting? I know we talked about her low intake as well and her long feedings has the reglan worked for that?

September 8, 2006 at 6:32 am #13114

Anonymous
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I’m not sure if the excema is a sign of milk allergy in this case, but given

family history, I’d probably want to be cautious and do a 2 week trial of

Neocate, especially since she’s also such a reluctant eater and having the

breathing issue. Despite what your doctor says, and as you know,

Nutramigen does have 21% milk proteins and supposedly up to 2/5 of milk

allergic/intolerant babies still react to it.

September 8, 2006 at 8:52 pm #13176

Anonymous
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Sue, I was really hesitant to try reglan, and I honestly only did it so I could tell the doctor that I did, and then say that it didn’t work so please give us a PPI. However, I’ve definitely seen some improvement since she’s been on it. Her evening periods of fussiness are gone. She is sleeping for longer stretches during the day and she’s doing a little bit better with eating. She’s really only increased her intake by 2 to 3 oz a day, but she is more enthusiastic with most of the bottles she gets. I’m still worried that she’s not getting enough though.

Karen, I’m really leaning towards a trial of neocate. I’m going to see what the allergist says about it. If he blows me off as well, then I think I’ll just order it myself and see what happens. If I see drastic improvement then I can go back to ped and ask him to write a prescription.
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