Q: Jennifer - I have 2 children with serious allergies. One child is dairy, egg, and peanut allergic and the other is dairy and egg. The dairy allergy seems to be the most serious for my kids causing them the most reactions and hospital visits. Do you have any articles or evidence that shows that dairy allergy is just as serious as peanut allergy? I feel like people (including other allergy moms) think that peanut allergy is the only serious allergy. They often don't belive me when I say that my children's milk allergy is just as serious.  Please help me with any info that you have.

A: Alisa - This is a serious issue, and one that I hope will change in coming years – and I believe it will. Whether or not they are on the rise, more and more life-threatening reactions to milk products have been brought to light in recent years. And yes, I do have a couple of articles that you can share with people to help them understand how serious your children's milk allergies really are. See the links below:

1. I love the quote in this article (used as the title) as it is just so true: "Milk Allergies Are the Rodney Dangerfield of Food Allergies."
2. For those who believe milk allergies are mild and always outgrown: "Milk Allergies Persist Much Longer Than Prior Estimates."

To note, the recognition of severe milk allergies is gaining in some circles. I have received feedback from a few moms whose children are now in "milk-free and peanut-free classrooms." Though this may prevent challenges for some parents, it is good to see that some school teachers are showing concern. Nonetheless, challenges still exist in schools, as I discuss in this prior reader question, "Does the School Lunch Program Have the Right to Require Kids to Take Milk?"

Alisa Fleming is the founder of GoDairyFree.org and author of Go Dairy Free: The Guide and Cookbook for Milk Allergies, Lactose Intolerance, and Casein-Free Living. In addition to her own dairy-free lifestyle, Alisa has experience in catering to the needs of various special diets, including gluten-free, soy-free, egg-free, vegan, and multiple food allergies.

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