What are the symptoms of milk allergy?

If you suspect your infant is experiencing an allergic response to cow’s milk, see your doctor or a health visitor.

They will be able to determine if your baby’s symptoms are due to a cow’s milk allergy or anything else. Before removing cow’s milk from your child’s diet, get medical guidance since it provides essential nutrients.

Cows’ milk allergy in babies

Cows’ milk allergy (CMA), also known as cows’ milk protein allergy, is one of the most frequent food allergies in children. It is believed that 7% of newborns under the age of one are affected, however most children grow out of it.

CMA generally develops when cows’ milk is introduced into your infant’s diet for the first time, either in formula or when your baby begins eating solids.

More infrequently, it may harm exclusively breastfed newborns due to cows’ milk from the mother’s diet transferring via breast milk to the baby.

There are 2 main types of CMA:

• Symptoms of acute CMA often appear within minutes of consuming cow’s milk.
• delayed CMA – a condition in which symptoms appear many hours, if not days, after consuming cow’s milk.

Symptoms of cows’ milk allergy

Cow’s milk allergy may result in a variety of symptoms, including:

• Skin responses, such as itching rashes or swelling of the lips, cheeks, and eyes
• Stomach discomfort, vomiting, colic, diarrhoea, or constipation are examples of digestive issues.
• Signs of hay fever, such as a runny or plugged nose
• Eczema that does not improve with treatment

CMA may sometimes induce severe allergy symptoms such as swelling in the mouth or throat, wheezing, coughing, shortness of breath, and difficult, loud breathing.

Anaphylaxis (severe allergic response) is a medical emergency. If you suspect your kid has anaphylaxis, call 999 immediately. (even if they start to feel better).

Treatment for CMA

If your infant is diagnosed with CMA, your doctor or an allergy expert will advise you on how to manage their allergy. A dietician may also be recommended to you.

For a period of time, your child’s diet must be free of all cow’s milk.

If your baby is on formula, your doctor might recommend a specific infant formula.

Do not feed your kid any other kind of milk without first consulting a doctor.

If your kid is only breastfed, the mother should avoid all cow’s milk products.

Your kid should be evaluated every 6 to 18 months to check whether they have outgrown their allergy.

More information regarding cows’ milk allergy in children may be found at the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence. (NICE).

Could it be lactose intolerance?

Lactose intolerance is a form of milk response in which the body is unable to digest lactose, a natural sugar contained in milk. This, however, is not an allergy.

Lactose intolerance may be transient, appearing for a few days or weeks following a stomach virus.

Symptoms of lactose intolerance include:

• Diarrhoea
• Vomiting
• Stomach rumbling and pains
• Wind

Treatment for lactose intolerance

Treatment is determined on the severity of your child’s sensitivity. Some lactose-intolerant children may be able to consume tiny quantities of dairy products without experiencing symptoms.

A nutritionist may be recommended to your kid for expert assistance.

Related Questions

• What are the symptoms of a milk allergy in adults?

  However, dairy allergies may trigger reactions in various regions of the body, including the skin and lungs:

  1. Rash.
  2. Hives.
  3. Swelling, often in the lips and face.
  4. Wheezing.
  5. Tightness in throat.
  6. Trouble swallowing.

• What is the difference between a milk allergy and a lactose intolerance?

  Lactose intolerance is caused by a lack of lactase, an enzyme required to break down lactose, the sugar present in milk and other dairy products. Milk allergy is a genuine food allergy induced by an allergic response to milk protein.

• Can you develop a milk allergy later in life?

  Most individuals who are allergic to milk have symptoms as newborns and outgrow them as they grow older. Some individuals, however, do not outgrow these symptoms and remain allergic as adults. It is rare to acquire a milk protein allergy later in life.

• What are the side effects of being allergic to milk?

  A milk allergy is a form of food allergy that arises when your immune system incorrectly responds defensively to proteins found in milk. This response, also known as an allergic reaction, may induce a variety of symptoms such as hives, itching, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and, in extreme instances, anaphylaxis.