Milk Allergy

Cow’s milk allergy is the most common food allergy in babies and small children.
It is useful to distinguish the “immediate” and “slow onset” reactions to cow’s milk.
(The slow onset reaction is often called “cow’s milk protein intolerance”)

How common

About 1-in-20 children are affected (perhaps even more). It often goes undiagnosed.
Most will slowly grow out of cow’s milk allergy by about 2 or 3 years old (but sometimes a lot later).

Symptoms (quick onset) immediate ALLERGY

• Colic/ inconsolable crying
• Vomiting
• Diarrhoea
• Eczema
• Urticaria/ hives
• Dermatitis
• Irritability
• Anaphylaxis

 Symptoms (slow onset) from an INTOLERANCE

• Eczema
• Gastric reflux
• Vomiting
• Constipation
• Diarrhoea
• Abdominal pain
• Blood in faeces
• Poor growth
• Headache

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