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It can cause skin reactions, digestive symptoms, and breathing difficulties. A milk allergy is an adverse reaction to food containing cow’s milk. It can cause a range of symptoms, including eczema, hives, vomiting, and diarrhea. The severity of symptoms can range from mild to severe. Doctors can diagnose milk allergy using a skin test or blood test. Caregivers should avoid giving products containing milk to infants with a milk allergy. Milk allergy is the most common food allergy in infants and young children. Around 0.5–3% of babies in developed countries have a milk allergy at the age of 1 year. A 2018 article estimated the rate of milk allergy in infants and young children as 2–5%. What causes a milk allergy Share on PinterestWestend61/Getty ImagesA milk allergy is an immune system response that happens when a child’s body recognizes cow’s milk protein as a foreign invader and produces antibodies against it. The antibodies then attack the protein, which can lead to symptoms such as vomiting, diarrhea, hives, eczema, or hay fever-like symptoms. Symptoms There are two main types of milk allergies: IgE-mediated and non-IgE-mediated. IgE-mediated milk allergy is the most common type, with symptoms usually appearing within minutes to hours after consuming milk or milk products. Non-IgE mediated milk allergy is less common and may not cause an allergic reaction until hours after consuming the product. The symptoms of a milk allergy can vary from person to person and depend on factors like age, severity, and when the allergen was consumed. Babies with milk allergies may have skin reactions such as:rashhivesswelling of lips, face, and eye area They may also have digestive symptoms such as:nauseacolicstomachachevomitingdiarrheaconstipation Other symptoms include breathing difficulties, asthma-like symptoms, and symptoms similar to hay fever, such as a runny or blocked nose. It is also possible for a child to have a delayed reaction. These include: eczemablood or mucus in their stoolvomiting and diarrhea up to 24 hours after consuming milk Symptoms of a severe allergic reaction In some cases, babies with a milk allergy may experience sudden and severe symptoms. These include:swelling in the mouth or throatshortness of breathlabored or noisy breathingwheezingtongue swellingswelling and tightness in the throatdizziness or collapsebecoming floppy and pale This is called anaphylaxis, and it can be fatal. If this happens, people should call 911 for immediate medical attention. Learn more about dairy allergy here. What to do if your child has an allergic reaction Not all allergic reactions require treatment. Most symptoms of an allergic reaction will resolve within a few hours. Caregivers should make a doctor’s appointment after the baby’s first allergic reaction. The doctor can advise them on what to do if it happens again. Sometimes, a baby’s allergic reaction can be more severe on the second exposure to the allergen. If a baby has symptoms of a severe allergic reaction, caregivers should call 911 immediately. If a doctor has prescribed an adrenaline autoinjector or Epi-Pen, caregivers should administer it according to the doctor’s instructions. Learn more about what to do if a baby has an allergic reaction. How do doctors diagnose milk allergy A doctor or allergist usually diagnoses milk allergies. They will ask about the child’s medical history and do a skin prick test. They will also ask a variety of questions about the baby’s symptoms. Before the appointment, it is helpful if caregivers keep a food diary of what the baby eats and the symptoms they experience. Doctors may order a blood test to confirm the diagnosis. IgE (Immunoglobulin E) antibodies in the blood indicate an immune reaction to an allergen. A doctor may also recommend an oral food challenge. This involves eliminating milk from the baby’s diet before reintroducing a small amount in a medical setting. If there is a reaction, the doctor can treat it and confirm the diagnosis. Healthcare professionals conduct this in a medical setting due to the risk of anaphylaxis. Avoiding a milk allergy reaction It can be difficult for caregivers to find milk-free foods, as many items contain milk products, including bread, cereals, yogurt, and ice cream. However, it is important to eliminate all milk from a baby’s diet if they have a milk allergy. Milk proteins can pass through breastmilk. If a child who drinks breastmilk has a milk allergy, the person producing breastmilk should eliminate all foods containing milk, such as cheese, yogurt, and butter, from their diet. How do doctors treat milk allergy The only way to treat a milk allergy is to avoid food products containing milk. People should read all food labels before giving new foods to a baby with a milk allergy. Some other foods to avoid include:butterbuttermilkcasein and caseinatechocolate creamcrème fraichegheewheyyogurt People should also consider over-the-counter (OTC) antihistamines for managing mild allergic reactions. Healthcare professionals may recommend parents or caregivers carry epinephrine injections in case of a severe allergic reaction. Frequently asked questions Is my baby allergic to milk or lactose intolerant Lactose intolerance is not an allergic reaction but a digestive disorder resulting from the inability to digest lactose. The symptoms of lactose intolerance are usually milder than those of a milk allergy and may include gas, bloating, or diarrhea after drinking or eating dairy products such as milk. Can a baby outgrow a milk allergy Around half of children with a milk allergy will outgrow it by their first birthday. By age 3, more than 75% of children will have outgrown their milk allergy, and over 90% of children will become tolerant of milk by age 6. Outlook Most children will outgrow their milk allergy by the time they are 6 years old. Some people will continue to have a milk allergy throughout their lives. Doctors should assess children every 6–12 months to see if they have grown out of their milk allergy. Summary A milk allergy is a common adverse immune response to the proteins found in cow’s milk. Milk allergy can manifest in many ways, from mild to severe. The most common symptoms are abdominal pain, diarrhea, vomiting, and skin reactions such as hives or eczema. If people think a baby has a milk allergy, they should consult a doctor or allergist to confirm a diagnosis. Diagnosis may involve a skin prick test, blood test, or an oral food challenge. To avoid an allergic reaction, caregivers should eliminate milk products from a baby’s diet. Most children outgrow their milk allergy by the age of 6 years. Last medically reviewed on July 28, 2022AllergyFood AllergyPediatrics / Children's HealthParenthoodChild 14 sourcescollapsedMedical News Today has strict sourcing guidelines and draws only from peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical journals and associations. We avoid using tertiary references. We link primary sources — including studies, scientific references, and statistics — within each article and also list them in the resources section at the bottom of our articles. You can learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate and current by reading our editorial policy.Allergic and anaphylactic reactions. (2021).https://www.rch.org.au/kidsinfo/fact_sheets/Allergic_and_anaphylactic_reactions/Calvani, M. et al. (2019). Oral food challenge.https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6843825/Could it be cow's milk allergy? (2017).https://www.allergyuk.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/Could-it-be-Cows-Milk-Allergy-Leaflet-1.pdfCow's milk allergy. (n.d.).https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/health/conditionsandtreatments/cows-milk-allergyCow's milk (dairy) allergy. (2019).https://www.allergy.org.au/patients/food-allergy/cows-milk-dairy-allergyDoes my child have a cow's milk allergy? (2021).https://www.allergyuk.org/resources/does-my-child-have-a-cows-milk-allergy/Edwards, C. W. et al. (2022). Cow milk allergy.https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK542243/Flom, J. D. et al (2019). Epidemiology of cow's milk allergy.https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6566637/Lactose intolerance: Babies, children and teenagers. (2022).https://raisingchildren.net.au/guides/a-z-health-reference/lactose-intoleranceMilk allergy. (n.d.).https://www.foodallergy.org/living-food-allergies/food-allergy-essentials/common-allergens/milkMilk intolerance in babies and children. (2020).https://www.pregnancybirthbaby.org.au/milk-intolerance-in-babies-and-childrenMilk & dairy. (2019).https://acaai.org/allergies/allergic-conditions/food/milk-dairy/Pensabene, L. et al. (2018). Cow's milk protein allergy in infancy: a risk factor for functional gastrointestinal disorders in children?https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6265683/What should I do if I think my baby is allergic or intolerant to cows' milk? (2019).https://www.nhs.uk/common-health-questions/childrens-health/what-should-i-do-if-i-think-my-baby-is-allergic-or-intolerant-to-cows-milk/FEEDBACK:Medically reviewed by Carissa Stephens, R.N., CCRN, CPN — By Hana Ames on July 28, 2022 Latest newsWhat sets 'SuperAgers' apart? Their unusually large neuronsOmega-3 may provide a brain boost for people in midlifeSeasonal affective disorder (SAD): How to beat it this fall and winterCDC: Monkeypox in the US 'unlikely to be eliminated in the near future'Why are more women prone to Alzheimer's? New clues arise Related CoverageWhat is baby eczema? 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