Skin rash from milk

Skin reactions occur in 50-70% of cases as part of a milk allergy. They can manifest themselves in the form of a worsening of a pre-existing neurodermatitis, but also as skin rashes and eczema or general itching. These symptoms are particularly typical in babies and small children and are more pronounced in them than in adults.

Causes

The cause of a skin rash from milk can be a milk allergy. The milk protein triggers an allergic reaction. The allergy can occur to different milk proteins.

Typical allergens are casein, ß-lactoglobulin, alpha-lactalbumin, rarely serumalbumin and immunoglobulins. Only the proteins in milk can trigger an allergy, but the fats and lactose are not allergenic. The allergy is usually triggered by an overreaction of the body against a certain substance and mediated by the antibody IgE. The allergy is often detected in children who are not breastfed or not breastfed long enough.

What other symptoms can occur besides the rash?

Other symptoms are mainly complaints of the gastrointestinal tract. These usually occur within a few hours of milk consumption and include abdominal pain, flatulence, nausea, diarrhoea, constipation and rarely vomiting. Very rarely, respiratory reactions can also occur, such as asthma, chronic rhinitis or recurring pneumonia.

Diagnosis

For the diagnosis the questioning of the patient is particularly important. It is asked how often, how long and after which meals the symptoms occur and whether anything helps against them. It can also help to prepare a dietary diary.

If the suspicion of a milk allergy is substantiated, cow’s milk is usually avoided for 2 to 4 weeks to confirm this. Finally, a provocation is carried out. Milk is given directly to the patient under the supervision of a doctor and the reaction is waited for.

A prick test (skin test) can also be performed here. In this test, the allergen (milk) is applied to the skin and in case of an allergy, a local reaction will occur. Intracutaneous tests are another possibility. Here a solution with the allergen is injected directly into the skin by the doctor. In the case of an allergy, redness and swelling will occur.