Causes

In an allergic reaction, the immune system can no longer distinguish between harmful and harmless substances and reacts to a harmless substance by producing antibodies, which in this case are directed against the milk protein. The exact reasons why some babies develop an allergy to milk protein have not yet been fully researched. Milk contains 25 different proteins that can act as allergens, which means that they can be recognized as foreign and can cause allergy symptoms.

Often the proteins casein, β-lactoglobulin or α-lactalbumin are responsible for this. It is known, however, that babies who are confronted with protein from cow’s milk in the past have a significantly higher risk of developing this allergy. This is explained by the fact that the immune system of babies is still in the process of building up.

Therefore, it is not yet able to distinguish well between foreign and harmful as well as foreign but harmless substances. However, the immune system learns this in the course of time. This is why it is relatively common for milk protein allergies to disappear with increasing age. Another cause of a milk protein allergy is most likely to be found in the genes. If the parents are affected by a milk protein allergy, their offspring also have a higher risk of developing this form of allergy.

I recognize a milk protein allergy by these symptoms

The symptoms of a milk allergy can be very different. Mostly the skin, the gastrointestinal tract and the respiratory tract are affected. In acute cases, the cardiovascular system may also be affected, the most severe form of the allergic reaction being anaphylactic shock, which is life-threatening.

Classical gastrointestinal complaints are nausea, vomiting and abdominal pain. The allergy can cause tiredness, fatigue and restlessness, and can lead to inconsolable crying in small children and infants.Possible respiratory problems in the case of a milk allergy are a narrowing of the bronchi, swelling of the larynx (laryngeal edema), allergic rhinitis and bronchial asthma. In severe cases, systemic reactions of the body occur in the context of milk allergy, including cardiovascular difficulties, breathing problems and anaphylaxis, in which several organ systems react to the allergy and a state of shock occurs.

Especially in the case of neurodermitic skin changes, the suspicion of a food allergy is obvious. Most children with neurodermatitis also have a food allergy. In infancy, milk is indeed the most common allergy trigger.

In older children, egg, soy, nuts and certain fruits also play a role. It is therefore worth visiting a children’s allergologist if the above-mentioned complaints persist for several months. In the context of allergy-related respiratory symptoms, milk allergy can cause swelling of the larynx, breathing difficulties, a runny nose and coughing.

Allergic cough in milk allergy is a relatively common symptom, as the immune system often increases the amount of mucus in the bronchi in response to the allergenic substances. The body tries to cough up the foreign substances, so to speak. The most common skin symptoms of milk allergy are hives (urticaria), reddening of the skin (erythema), itching and eczema on contact with the allergen, i.e. an inflammatory rash on dry skin.

The skin symptoms can be of varying severity. In allergies, the skin often reacts particularly quickly, serving as a “helper” and “messenger” for the immune system. A skin rash is a common symptom of milk protein allergy.

It usually develops in the context of atopic eczema. In the beginning, skin redness with small blisters and increased scaling can be found. The skin areas show red to brownish or white patches.

Stippling and garlands may form, which may be flat and raised. Hives are small, soft, light to rosy swellings of the skin. The skin is also very dry.

The children suffer from tormenting itching. The diagnosis of atopic eczema or neurodermatitis can thus be made relatively easily. In babies, the scalp, face and the extensor sides of the extremities are particularly affected.

As the children grow older, the typical rash is more likely to be found on the elbows, the back of the knees and the neck. In the context of a rash due to milk allergy, pimples and pustules can appear, i.e. small pus blisters relatively superficially under the skin. There is no scientifically proven connection between the appearance of pimples and milk allergy. However, pimples can be a sign of the skin’s overreaction to the allergen, the milk proteins, since the allergy symptoms can be different in each person. This topic may also be of interest to you: How to get rid of pimples