Most children allergic to cow’s milk can tolerate heated milk

According to a report in the Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, 75% of children allergic to milk can tolerate milk that has been extensively heated.

Children who develop milk allergy usually have IgE antibodies against certain structures in milk proteins. Because some of these structures are destroyed by high heat, well-heated milk may be tolerated.

In a study of 100 children, the children were given a series of milk challenges. First they were given muffins and waffles containing baked milk protein; if they tolerated these, they were given unheated milk. Children who tolerated baked milk but not unheated milk continued to eat baked milk products for three months and were then reassessed.

68 children tolerated baked milk but not unheated milk, 23 reacted to baked milk, and 9 tolerated both. The children who reacted to baked milk had larger skin-prick tests and higher levels of casein-specific IgE, and their reactions during the challenge were more severe. Those who ate baked milk for three months had smaller skin-prick tests and higher levels of IgG4 to casein.

This could change how milk allergy is diagnosed and managed: allowing baked milk products would improve the quality of life of many children with milk allergy and widen the foods they can eat.

Important: these milk challenges were done in hospital, because reactions can be severe. Don't try baked milk at home with a milk-allergic child unless their allergist advises it.