Linda - I can't speak for anyone else's experience, but for us this is how it came on. Michelle would at first just get a rash around her mouth when she contacted milk products, then she would cough a little bit and start to wheeze. This was when we became more serious about avoiding dairy and carrying benadryl with us always. Her first anaphylactic reaction was at 11 months and we had no idea what was going on, except that we needed a hospital! We did give her benadryl on the way to the hospital and this probably saved her life. I don't think that allergists can say if your child is headed for this type of reaction or not. I hope this helps - Kass