What is cow’s milk allergy? Causes and symptoms

Cow’s milk allergy is a food allergy in which the immune system has an abnormal reaction to the proteins in cow’s milk. The body sees these proteins as harmful and makes antibodies, which can lead to allergic symptoms such as skin rashes, digestive problems and breathing difficulties.

How does cow’s milk allergy occur?

Cow’s milk allergy occurs when the immune system perceives milk proteins such as casein and whey proteins as dangerous. This triggers an allergic reaction in which the body releases histamine and other substances. This can happen immediately after consuming milk or several hours later.

Cow’s milk allergy is most common in babies and young children because their immune system is still developing. In some cases, the allergy disappears as the child gets older, but in a small percentage, the allergy persists into adulthood.

What symptoms does cow’s milk allergy cause?

Cow’s milk allergy can cause several symptoms. The most common symptoms are:

• Skin reactions such as eczema, itching or hives
• Digestive complaints such as diarrhoea, constipation, abdominal cramps or vomiting
• Respiratory problems such as wheezing, shortness of breath or stuffy nose
• Severe allergic reactions such as anaphylaxis, requiring immediate medical attention

The severity of symptoms varies from person to person and can range from mild to life-threatening.

Who can get cow’s milk allergy?

Cow’s milk allergy occurs mostly in babies and young children. About 2 to 3 per cent of babies develop an allergy to milk proteins. In many children, symptoms disappear as they get older, usually around the age of three to five years.

Adults can also develop cow’s milk allergy, but this is less common. In adults, cow’s milk allergy is sometimes confused with lactose intolerance, a condition where the body has trouble digesting lactose, the sugar in milk.

How do you know if you have cow’s milk allergy?

Cow’s milk allergy can be diagnosed with various tests. A commonly used method is a blood test that measures the presence of IgE antibodies against milk proteins. In addition, a skin prick test or elimination diet can be used to determine whether milk is the cause of allergic symptoms.

For a quick initial indication, a cow’s milk allergy self-test can be used. This test measures IgE antibodies and gives a result within minutes. In case of a positive test result, it is advised to contact a doctor for further diagnosis and counselling.

Conclusion

Cow’s milk allergy is an immune reaction to milk proteins that can cause allergic symptoms ranging from skin rashes and digestive problems to breathing difficulties. The allergy occurs mostly in babies and young children, but can also develop later in life.

To determine whether cow’s milk allergy is present, a blood test, skin prick test or elimination diet can be performed. For a quick indication, a cow’s milk allergy self-test can be used. In case of a positive result, it is important to avoid milk and milk products and seek medical advice.

Want to know more about cow’s milk allergy and testing? Check out our comprehensive guides and find out how to get certainty about your allergy.

Koemelkallergie test

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