Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsWhat It IsSymptomsDiagnosisTreatmentPrevention
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
What It Is
Symptoms
Diagnosis
Treatment
Prevention
Verywell / Jessica Olah
What Is a Milk Allergy?
Babies withmilk allergiesare allergic to the proteins in cow’s milk—casein and whey. The condition is called cow’s milk protein allergy (CMPA). About 2% to 3% of children younger than 3 years are allergic to milk. Fortunately, about 80% of these children outgrow the milk allergy before they are 16.
The infant formulas that are sold in stores are made from cow’s milk but have been adjusted to make the protein easier for infants to digest. Milk sugar (lactose) is added to equalize the concentration, and this ingredient is similar to that found in breast milk.
Formula Allergy Signs and SymptomsAn infant might be allergic to milk if they have:HivesShortness of breathWheezingCongestionCoughingSneezingVomitingChanges in behaviorFussinessCramping in the abdominal areaDiarrheaDecrease in blood pressure
Formula Allergy Signs and Symptoms
An infant might be allergic to milk if they have:HivesShortness of breathWheezingCongestionCoughingSneezingVomitingChanges in behaviorFussinessCramping in the abdominal areaDiarrheaDecrease in blood pressure
An infant might be allergic to milk if they have:
Diagnosing Milk Allergies
Allergy tests are done in the office to make sure medical care can be provided immediately if a severe reaction occurs.
The doctor might also use a blood test or skin prick test to look for immunoglobulin E antibodies. For this test, the doctor will place a sample of milk on your child’s skin and then prick the area to allow the substance to enter the body. If there is a reaction within 10 to 20 minutes, it indicates an allergy.
Treating Food Allergies
Symptoms of anaphylaxis in a child include:
The EpiPen Jr epinephrine auto-injector is available for children who weigh 15 to 30 kilograms (kg).For infants who weigh less than 15 kg, your healthcare provider may recommend another form of injectable epinephrine.
To administer an EpiPen or EpiPen Jr to a child:
Epinephrine auto-injectors cannot be used twice. Once it is used, it should beproperly disposed of.
Epinephrine auto-injectors work rapidly to stop an allergic reaction. However, the effects wear off within 15 to 30 minutes, and the allergic reaction can come back. Always call 911 after administering an auto-injector to prevent a second reaction.
For children with mild milk allergies, your healthcare provider may recommend an over-the-counter antihistamine. These products should never be given to children younger than 2 years of age.If you are not sure how much medicine to give an infant, consult with a healthcare provider.
How to Prevent an Allergic Reaction to Formula
Research has shown that breastfeeding results in fewer allergic reactions. If breastfeeding is not an option, amino acid formulas, soy formulas, and rice hydrolysates can also work for babies with milk allergies.
You’ll also need to closely read ingredients on products and likely change formulas to a product that will not cause a reaction. Always be sure to read ingredient labels carefully to ensure the product does not contain milk or milk products.
Summary
7 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology.Milk and dairy allergy.FARE.Milk Allergy.Children’s Health.Anaphylaxis in children.EpiPen.Dosing guidelines for the EpiPen Auto-Injector.UNC School of Medicine.How to use an EpiPen (epinephrine injection, USP) Auto-Injector.U.S. Food and Drug Administration.Use caution when giving cough and cold products to kids.Vandenplas Y.Prevention and management of cow’s milk allergy in non-exclusively breastfed infants.Nutrients. 2017;9(7):731. doi:10.3390/nu9070731
7 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology.Milk and dairy allergy.FARE.Milk Allergy.Children’s Health.Anaphylaxis in children.EpiPen.Dosing guidelines for the EpiPen Auto-Injector.UNC School of Medicine.How to use an EpiPen (epinephrine injection, USP) Auto-Injector.U.S. Food and Drug Administration.Use caution when giving cough and cold products to kids.Vandenplas Y.Prevention and management of cow’s milk allergy in non-exclusively breastfed infants.Nutrients. 2017;9(7):731. doi:10.3390/nu9070731
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology.Milk and dairy allergy.FARE.Milk Allergy.Children’s Health.Anaphylaxis in children.EpiPen.Dosing guidelines for the EpiPen Auto-Injector.UNC School of Medicine.How to use an EpiPen (epinephrine injection, USP) Auto-Injector.U.S. Food and Drug Administration.Use caution when giving cough and cold products to kids.Vandenplas Y.Prevention and management of cow’s milk allergy in non-exclusively breastfed infants.Nutrients. 2017;9(7):731. doi:10.3390/nu9070731
American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology.Milk and dairy allergy.
FARE.Milk Allergy.
Children’s Health.Anaphylaxis in children.
EpiPen.Dosing guidelines for the EpiPen Auto-Injector.
UNC School of Medicine.How to use an EpiPen (epinephrine injection, USP) Auto-Injector.
U.S. Food and Drug Administration.Use caution when giving cough and cold products to kids.
Vandenplas Y.Prevention and management of cow’s milk allergy in non-exclusively breastfed infants.Nutrients. 2017;9(7):731. doi:10.3390/nu9070731
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