Milk allergy

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Overview

Milk allergy is an atypical immune system response to milk and products containing milk. It's one of the most common food allergies in children. Cow's milk is the usual cause of milk allergy, but milk from sheep, goats, buffalo and other mammals also can cause a reaction.

An allergic reaction usually occurs soon after you or your child consumes milk. Signs and symptoms of milk allergy range from mild to severe and can include wheezing, vomiting, hives and digestive problems. Milk allergy can also cause anaphylaxis — a severe, life-threatening reaction.

Avoiding milk and milk products is the primary treatment for milk allergy. Fortunately, most children outgrow milk allergy. Those who don't outgrow it may need to continue to avoid milk products.

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Diagnosis & treatment
June 16, 2022
Print
  1. Burks AW, et al. Reactions to foods. In: Middleton's Allergy: Principles and Practice. 9th ed. Elsevier; 2020. https://www.clinicalkey.com. Accessed May 23, 2022.
  2. Milk allergy. Food Allergy Research and Education. https://www.foodallergy.org/living-food-allergies/food-allergy-essentials/common-allergens/milk. Accessed May 17, 2022.
  3. Milk and dairy. American College of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology. https://acaai.org/allergies/allergic-conditions/food/milk-dairy/. Accessed May 18, 2022.
  4. Jarvinen-Seppo KM. Milk allergy: Management. https://www.uptodate.com/contents/search. Accessed May 23, 2022.
  5. Jarvinen-Seppo KM. Milk allergy: Clinical features and diagnosis. https://www.uptodate.com/contents/search. Accessed May 23, 2022.
  6. Vandenplas Y, et al. Current guidelines and future strategies for the management of cow's milk allergy. Journal of Asthma and Allergy. 2021; doi:10.2147/JAA.S276992.

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Milk allergy