MILK AND DAIRY PRODUCT ALLERGY
THE FACTS FOR CONSUMERS
ASCIA EDUCATION RESOURCES (AER) TOPIC OF THE MONTH - MARCH 2003
Cow's milk is a common cause of food allergy in children. Around 1 in 50 babies are allergic to cow's milk and dairy products. Although most children out-grow cow's milk allergy by the age of 4 years, persistent milk allergy may sometimes occur.
Allergic reactions can occur within minutes or up to several days after having cow's milk or other dairy products. Symptoms can include hives, eczema, face swelling, vomiting, diarrhoea, asthma, noisy breathing or wheeze. Severe reactions may cause floppiness in babies and a severe allergic reaction, "anaphylaxis".
Reliable diagnosis is important. In people with immediate (within minutes or up to 1 hour) allergic reactions to milk, diagnosis is usually obvious. This can be confirmed by your doctor using allergy tests (skin prick tests or RAST blood tests). When symptoms occur from between several hours or days after having milk, diagnosis of cow's milk allergy is usually not as obvious and allergy tests are often not useful in these cases. Confirmation of the diagnosis usually requires a referral to an allergy specialist. There is no place in the diagnosis of milk allergy for unproven tests such as Vega, kinesiology and Alcat tests.
Treatment involves avoidance of dairy products. Treatment of cow's milk allergy involves elimination of cow's milk and its products from the diet and substitution with an appropriate formula in babies. It is important that any diet restrictions or modifications are discussed and supervised by your Doctor who may also recommend that you consult a dietitian. Reading labels on packaged foods is extremely important as many contain milk and other dairy products.
There may be other food allergies, as well as milk. Cow's milk allergy may occur together with other food allergies such as egg, soy, peanut or other nuts. This is usually confirmed by referral to an allergy specialist.
Not all reactions to milk are due to allergy. Lactose intolerance is caused by the lack of the enzyme lactase, which helps to digest the milk sugar lactose. The symptoms include diarrhoea, vomiting, stomach pain and gas, which are similar to some of the symptoms of milk allergy. This condition is uncomfortable but not dangerous, and does not cause rashes or anaphylaxis. Treatment involves avoidance of dairy products containing lactose and substitution with a lactose-free formula or milk.
For further information visit the ASCIA website http://www.allergy.org.au/ - a new ASCIA Education Resources patient information article "MILK and DAIRY PRODUCT ALLERGY" has just been published on this website and will soon be available as a brochure.
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© ASCIA 2003
The Australasian Society of Clinical Immunology and Allergy (ASCIA) is the peak professional body of Clinical Allergists and Immunologists in Australia and New Zealand.
ASCIA Education Resources (AER) information bulletins have been peer reviewed by ASCIA members and represent the available published literature at the time of review. The information is not intended to replace professional medical advice.
Any questions regarding a medical diagnosis or treatment should be directed to a medical practitioner.
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