It is very important to get your definition down. You will be repeating it for the next 20 years. I prefer to keep it short and to the point. This is my definition as I have explained it to friends, family and basically anyone that comes into contact with Robert.
“Robert is allergic to milk and all milk proteins. He has an IMMUNE SYSTEM response and his body thinks milk and milk proteins are poisons. To protect itself, his body starts making huge amounts of chemicals. These chemicals can cause him to stop breathing or even die. He can react to an amount as small as a ink pin dot.”
This usually gets their attention. It is usually followed up with this:
“In the past, when he has come in to contact with something containing milk, he has developed itchy lips, an itchy tongue, a cough, and a rash on his face. If he has any of these symptoms, we give him Benadryl immediately because it could be the first signs of anaphylaxis. “
*Remember to follow your doctor’s instructions. Benadryl as the first response has worked for us, however, the first line of defense is normally the Epipen.