Infant Protein Allergy

Infant protein allergy is most commonly referred to as a milk allergy, as the main source of an infant's protein is cow's milk or formula. It's a very common food allergy, affecting up to 3 percent of babies.

Cause

• Milk allergies occur when your immune system misidentifies certain proteins in the milk as harmful, and releases antibodies to disable the misdiagnosed threat. In many cases, a milk allergy is outgrown by the age of 3.

Types

• A milk allergy can be due to one of two proteins found in cow's milk once it curdles. The casein protein, found in the curd of the milk, and the whey, the liquid part that separates from the curd.

Symptoms

• Symptoms of a milk allergy usually appear when the baby is a few months old. Common symptoms include irritability, vomiting and skin rashes.

Diagnosis

• After a thorough physical exam and targeted questions, your doctor may suggest keeping a food diary to check for patterns in the symptoms. A skin or blood test may also be recommended, however these aren't always accurate in diagnosing a milk allergy.

Treatments

• The only real treatment of a milk allergy is the avoidance or elimination of milk from your diet. In cases of accidental exposure, antihistamine medications can ease symptoms and reactions. For extreme reactions, a trip to the emergency room is highly recommended.

Lactose Intolerance

• Lactose intolerance is the inability to digest lactose, the sugar found in milk. It is not the same as an allergy and usually occurs in older kids and adults.