Milk Allergies are Real: Respect for the Rodney Dangerfield of Food Allergies

I never thought that I would have to revisit this topic. After all, our society is becoming acutely aware of food allergies. But just the other day, a friend and advocate in the food allergy community said, “people don’t die from a milk allergy.” On the contrary, severe milk allergies are real. And it’s time they gain some respect.

We’ve Come So Far. Or Have We?

My first major brush with milk allergy disbelief came during a call with a certifying agency about eight years ago. They were involved in lab testing for gluten-free food certification, and thought there was a huge opportunity in dairy-free certification. I inquired about liability issues, and they stated, “that shouldn’t be a problem since milk doesn’t cause life-threatening reactions.” After hanging up the phone, I emailed Sabrina Shannon’s story to them. Sabrina was lost to a milk allergy tragedy, and her story sparked some of the first food allergy legislation. I never heard from that certifying agency again.

I later read a WebMD report on the need for better food allergy guidelines. It briefly introduced me to Matt Mitchell, a then 20 year old college student who had experienced several close calls due to a lifelong milk allergy. His emergency room visits were frequent, including one on Christmas day. He had consumed dark chocolate that was made on shared equipment with milk chocolate. In the article, Matt’s mother Lynda stated, “I call milk allergies the Rodney Dangerfield of food allergies. They don’t get the respect that peanut allergies get because most people confuse them with lactose intolerance. But just like peanuts or shellfish, a milk allergy can be life threatening.”

Lynda’s words prompted me to initially write this story seven years ago. And today, I’m bringing new life to the topic in remembrance of all who have been lost to a milk allergy. When someone doesn’t believe you, send them here. I sadly have ample proof that anaphylactic and life-threatening reactions to milk allergies are real.

Why We Must Remember that Milk Allergies are Real

Fortunately, at last check, Matt was in his mid-twenties and still speaking out for milk allergies. But not all milk allergic kids and adults have been so lucky. In the past several months, the number of milk allergy-related deaths has surpassed peanut and tree nut allergies in the news.

Do People Die from Milk Allergies? Unfortunately, Yes, They Do

Sabrina’s story still brings me to tears, and now, so do these:

• Girl with Milk Allergy Dies of Severe Reaction Related to Desensitization
• British Schoolgirl, 9, Died After Severe Allergic Reaction to Milk in Hot Dog Bun on Disney World Trip
• 23-Year-Old Woman Dies from Milk Allergy Reaction at Kosher Meat Restaurant
• Logan Lewis, Hocking College student, dies from severe allergic reaction to milk
• Teenager Allergic to Dairy Died After Restaurant Said His Birthday Burger Was Safe to Eat
• Boy, 11, With Dairy Allergies Died After His Dad Accidentally Gave Him ‘Free From’ Chocolate Bar That Contained Milk
• Teen Schoolboy Died After Pupil Threw Cheese Slice at Him
• 42 Year Old Dental Nurse is the 2nd Death Linked to Pret a Manager Sandwiches
• After Daughter’s Fatal Reaction to Toothpaste, Mother Calls for Caution
• Kid with Severe Dairy Allergy Died After Classmate Put Cheese Down His Shirt
• Nine-year-old English Tennis Talent Sadie Bristow from Chartham Dies after Allergic Reaction
• 3 Year Old Elijah Dies from a Grilled Cheese Sandwich at Preschool
• Dairy Allergic Nainika Dies at the Age of 9 from a Pancake
• Allergic Teenager, Chloe, Dies After Unwittingly Eating a Kebab Containing Yogurt
• Alabama Boy, 3, Dies of Severe Reaction During Baked Milk Challenge Test
• 13 Year Old Boy Died After a Severe Reaction to a Piece of Cheese Forced on Him
• Nasar Ahmed Died After Suffering a Reaction to Milk in His School Lunch
• 64 Year Old Woman Dies from an Allergic Reaction to Dairy at a Diner

These are publicized events from this year alone. There are many more stories from years past, and that families didn’t wish to share. Not to mention the loss of individuals with multiple food allergens (including milk) where the culprit remained unknown.

I believe that anyone with a food allergy or intolerance of any magnitude should be taken seriously. But please be aware that milk is a top allergen throughout the world, and it has the ability to cause severe, and even fatal, reactions.

Ways to Support the Milk Allergy Community

Every May, FARE promotes Food Allergy Awareness Week. It’s a great time to get involved in the Teal movement and to learn more. But there are also some very personal causes that have been created to support food allergy awareness.

Caroline Lorette tragically passed away at the age of 14 after having an allergic reaction to dairy. Her parents started The Sweet Caroline Foundation to promote allergy awareness and offer allergy education programming for schools and organizations. They also award a scholarship to students who develop and implement innovative ideas to bring awareness and education to students, adults and the general public.

In 2017, 3 year old Elijah-Alavi Affiq was given a grilled cheese sandwich by an adult at his New York City Pre-K school. Elijah was severely allergic to dairy, and unfortunately did not survive the incipent. His father, Thomas Silvera, co-founded the Elijah-Alavi Foundation in honor of his memory and to bring awareness to the severity of food allergies and anaphylaxis. Their mission is to provide training and education in city school and daycare centers at no cost to them.

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