Parents are having to make ten or more trips to their doctor before a child is diagnosed with cows’ milk allergy, campaigners claimed today.
A survey of parents of children with the problem conducted by Allergy UK found that on average they had to make five trips to their GP before it was diagnosed.
And 20 per cent had undertaken ten or more visits.
The charity’s experts say the condition has diverse and common symptoms, including skin disorders and breathing difficulties as well as digestive problems and delayed growth.
The problem is thought to affect between two per cent and 7.5 per cent of babies.
Its research showed that three-quarters of GPs and health visitors would like "greater confidence and knowledge" of the condition.
The survey involved some 328 parents.
Dr Adam Fox, a London paediatric allergy specialist, who helped write the report, said: “If you’re not looking for CMA, you won’t find it. That is why it is important for both healthcare professionals and parents to be informed about the symptoms of cows’ milk allergy and consider it earlier.”
He added: "Once GPs become more aware of cows’ milk allergy they realise they have been seeing this in their practice, but haven’t always been picking up on the subtle signs.”
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