How to Diagnose Milk Protein Intolerance

Milk protein intolerance, sometimes called a milk allergy, is a condition in which a body's immune system tries to fight off the protein found in milk. This type of allergy is most common in infants and often goes away as babies grow. Milk protein intolerance should not be confused with being lactose intolerance. People who are lactose intolerant lack the enzyme that helps them digest milk. Diagnosis of milk protein intolerance can be confirmed through dietary changes and lab tests.

Things You'll Need

• Journal
• Skin prick test
• Blood test

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Instructions

• 1

  Keep notes about the reactions your child has after drinking milk or eating a product that contains cow's milk. Symptoms of an intolerance to cow's milk proteins (CMP) vary from person to person. Some develop hives after drinking milk; others may experience a runny nose and wheezing. According to the Allergy Society of South Africa, common gastrointestinal symptoms include vomiting and diarrhea. Signs of a milk protein intolerance may appear within minutes or several hours after ingestion.

• 2

  Institute an "elimination challenge" by first removing milk and milk products from your child's diet and then reintroducing them slowly to see if they cause a reaction.

• 3

  Discuss your symptoms with your child's doctor and ask about having a skin prick test to confirm a milk allergy. According to the Mayo Clinic, this kind of test measures how the immune system responds when a potential allergen is introduced.

• 4

  Ask for a blood test to help diagnose your child's milk protein intolerance. Antibodies in your blood called immunoglobin E will be measured to determine if you have an allergy or sensitivity to milk.