ALLERGIC REACTIONS TO MILK-CONTAMINATED NONDAIRY PRODUCTS

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.