My son has had mild allergies/food sensitivities since he was little - we know he gets black puffy eyes from chocolate, and have suspected he may have an issue with dairy. His ears would get really clogged and he could not hear, but we just thought he had a cold all winter (he's in daycare full time - is now 6).
Finally after his school raised concerns about his hearing last fall when he started kindergarten (we didn't realize it was that bad) we had him tested, and he tested at a 40% hearing loss! We were shocked, but had noticed he got really stuffy and always seemed to have a bad sinus cold after eating a lot of dairy. We determined that whatever it was (suspected dairy) was clogging his ears and sinuses/nose. We experimented for several months with different foods and did some re-testing and have narrowed it down to the worst culprit being Kraft parmesan cheese. He is fine with other cheeses (i.e. cheddar and mozza).
Magic Moments pudding (also made by Kraft, given to him at a camp program - grrrr!) also had his ears clogged within a day.
If we keep him clear of dairy his hearing returns pretty much to normal. We had him totally cleared about 4-5 months ago and have been slowly introducing various dairy items. He has not had a stuffy nose or clogged ears in about 2 months
so we are really happy. He's been able to eat pizza, a few pieces of cheese and crackers, milk on cereal and things with milk baked in them (like bread products etc.).
ANY time he gets a little Kraft parmesan (his favorite food is pasta with Kraft parm on it) he gets clogged up within a day. So that is totally banned from our house now. I have not yet tried a full glass of regular milk (and really don't see any need to) or ice cream. I'm not personally a dairy fan, but it makes life easier if he can tolerate it now and then.
Has anyone ever heard of this kind of reaction to only one or two dairy items, but not others? He would love it if he could have the occasional ice cream treat. It just all seems so odd to me to just react to a few things here and there, but so strongly. Like within a day he loses half his hearing???
I am also suspicious of Kraft as he seems to have the worst reaction to Kraft products, (he also had Kraft dinner once *shudder * and got clogged up). Though I used to work there and it is a GREAT company to work for - too bad.
Kathy
Finally after his school raised concerns about his hearing last fall when he started kindergarten (we didn't realize it was that bad) we had him tested, and he tested at a 40% hearing loss! We were shocked, but had noticed he got really stuffy and always seemed to have a bad sinus cold after eating a lot of dairy. We determined that whatever it was (suspected dairy) was clogging his ears and sinuses/nose. We experimented for several months with different foods and did some re-testing and have narrowed it down to the worst culprit being Kraft parmesan cheese. He is fine with other cheeses (i.e. cheddar and mozza).
Magic Moments pudding (also made by Kraft, given to him at a camp program - grrrr!) also had his ears clogged within a day.
If we keep him clear of dairy his hearing returns pretty much to normal. We had him totally cleared about 4-5 months ago and have been slowly introducing various dairy items. He has not had a stuffy nose or clogged ears in about 2 months
so we are really happy. He's been able to eat pizza, a few pieces of cheese and crackers, milk on cereal and things with milk baked in them (like bread products etc.).ANY time he gets a little Kraft parmesan (his favorite food is pasta with Kraft parm on it) he gets clogged up within a day. So that is totally banned from our house now. I have not yet tried a full glass of regular milk (and really don't see any need to) or ice cream. I'm not personally a dairy fan, but it makes life easier if he can tolerate it now and then.
Has anyone ever heard of this kind of reaction to only one or two dairy items, but not others? He would love it if he could have the occasional ice cream treat. It just all seems so odd to me to just react to a few things here and there, but so strongly. Like within a day he loses half his hearing???
I am also suspicious of Kraft as he seems to have the worst reaction to Kraft products, (he also had Kraft dinner once *shudder * and got clogged up). Though I used to work there and it is a GREAT company to work for - too bad.
Kathy
