Milk Allergy

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Milk allergy is an allergy to a protein found in cow’s and other animals’ milk. This allergy can develop in babies and may subside at around 3 years of age. Until that time, it is important to keep your child from consuming cow’s milk, and any products that are made with cow’s milk.

A milk allergy is more likely to develop in babies that are formula fed, because the formula is based on cow’s milk. When breastfeeding the child, the mother should also limit her consumption of milk products as the allergy causing protein may be passed on to her child.

Symptoms of Milk Allergy

Symptoms of milk allergy include:

Diarrhea

Constipation

Cramps

Vomiting

Rash and redness

Coughing

Runny nose

Watery eyes

Diagnosis of Milk Allergy

A milk allergy is diagnosed by observing the diet of the child and removing milk products from that diet. If symptoms subside after removal, then the child is likely suffering from a milk allergy.

Treatment for Milk Allergy

The best way to treat this condition is to remove all traces of milk from a child's diet. Breastfeeding and maintaining low milk consumption on the mother's part is recommended. If that is not possible, there is a variety of formulas available that are not made from cow's milk such as soy formula. Feeding your child calcium rich foods can help act as a substitute to milk in his or her diet.

The following should be avoided if it has been determined that your child has a milk allergy:

 

Milk Allergy vs. Lactose Intolerance

Although some symptoms are the same, milk allergy differs from lactose intolerance, in that the immune system attacks the protein in cow's milk, while in lactose intolerance, the lactose within the milk is not being digested. Milk allergy usually occurs in childhood and lactose intolerance occurs in adulthood.

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