In the Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology (December 2008), new research study conclusions were reported regarding a promising treatment for kids (ages 6-12 years of age) who suffer from milk allergies.
Oral immunotherapy (I assume this is similar to the immunotherapy I receive, better known as "allergy shots" for seasonal allergies) was shown to increase the children's milk tolerance. Specifically, "...before treatment, nearly all of the children had symptoms after exposure to an average of 40 mg of milk. Following milk oral immunotherapy, the children had an allergic reaction only after exposure to an average of 5140 mg milk."
"After milk immunotherapy, the lowest milk dose to cause a reaction was 1340 mg, 'which is still likely to be protective against the overwhelming majority of accidental exposures...'."
Researchers are unclear if the children will be "fully tolerant" or if they are still at risk for future reactions (after the conclusion of immunotherapy). My allergist explained to me, that I will always have an intolerance to seasonal allergies, that the immunotherapy works in decreasing the symptoms/reactions to allergies. So, hopefully the oral immunotherapy can help kids with food intolerances lower their risk of future reactions, or at least diminish the severity of reactions.
I think this is wonderful news, as I know many toddlers who are allergic to milk, eggs and peanuts; some of these allergic reactions are life threatening. Hopefully, there will be a treatment for food allergies, just like there is for seasonal allergies!