BALTIMORE – Johns Hopkins Children’s Center has released a study which shows a new way to treat milk allergy, using milk!

The study looked at ways to increase a child’s tolerance to milk allergen. The approach was the same one used with standard immunotherapy: kids were exposed to gradually increasing amounts of their allergen but in the form of milk powder.

Participants started with small doses of the milk powder and worked up to larger ones. After just 4 months, the majority of the test subjects were able to have milk without any accompanying reaction.

All study participants began with relatively significant milk allergies. In fact, the average amount of milk that would have provoked a reaction was equivalent to about a quarter of a teaspoon. By the time these same children had finished the study protocol, the average dose required to provoke a reaction was 5 ounces. That was an astonishing improvement in participants’ reactivity.

While this is a very encouraging outcome, Dr Robert Wood of Johns Hopkins stressed that the standard recommendations for allergic patients remain the same. At this point, until more is known regarding the long term benefits and effects of this kind of oral therapy, the preferred approach for the individual managing an allergy is to avoid the allergen and treat symptoms as they occur. In addition, those with allergies should not attempt immunotherapy without a doctor’s supervision, in case of a serious allergic reaction.

However, children who have completed the study are cheerfully adding milk and cheese to their lists of favourite foods! One 10 year old, Lauren Mezzanotte, now includes ice cream and pizza in her faves.

It’s not quite clear if this is a permanent change in the allergic status of the children in the study. As a result, Wood is advising that these kids continue to drink milk regularly to maintain their new-found resistance.

Source: WJZ - TV