Extensively heated milk and egg as oral immunotherapy

Abstract

The introduction of extensively heated milk and egg protein into the diet has been explored in recent years. Studies have suggested that a large subset of children who react to unheated milk or egg can tolerate extensively heated forms of these foods. Immunologic changes induced by a diet containing baked milk and egg are similar to changes that have been observed during oral immunotherapy trials. The baked milk and egg diet appears to accelerate the development of regular milk and egg tolerance when compared with strict avoidance. An oral challenge to extensively heated milk and egg into milk and egg allergic children's diets should be considered when appropriate. Oral food challenges are the most reliable means of establishing a diagnosis and should be undertaken under physician supervision.