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Allergy to cow's milk is the single most common
allergy of all allergies in young children but fortunately one which most
babies grow out of by the time they reach the age of three. Although there
is no cure as such for babies and young children who have an allergy to
milk the symptoms can be controlled successfully through a dairy free
diet.
What are the symptoms of allergy to cow's milk?
The symptoms and signs of allergy to milk can vary widely from child to
child however, symptoms which are common in milk allergy are:
* A rash on the skin or eczema
* Stomach cramps or abdominal pain
* Vomiting or diarrhoea
A very rare symptom of milk allergy is the sudden onset of swelling to
face, lips, mouth and tongue, this usually occurs straight after the baby
eating or drinking food which they have an allergic reaction to. If your
child has these symptoms then seek medical help immediately, however this
is an extreme and rare reaction which is not often seen in the majority
of cases.
How is the allergy confirmed?
It is extremely important that you have the allergy diagnosed by your
Doctor, because although very rare, anaphylactic shock can occur is some
cases and secondly the general symptoms of allergy, stomach cramps, rash
and vomiting or diarrhoea can be the signs of many other illnesses.
However, if you know for certain that your child has an allergy to cow's
milk you can make sure that all milk and milk products can be removed
from the diet.
In order to make the diagnosis your Doctor will give your baby a through
examination and review your child's medical history.
If your child is very young and you are breast-feeding then the Doctor
may suggest that you change your diet, if the child is bottle fed then
a change of formula might be suggested. In older babies, all milk products
will have to be cut from the diet and your Doctor may suggest that they
are gradually reintroduced into the diet over a period time.
How is milk allergy treated?
There is no cure as such for milk allergy but the treatment as such will
depend on the age of your child and will depend on whether they are breastfed
or bottle-fed. If you are breast-feeding then the allergy can be cured
to a degree if you cut out dairy products from your diet as well as your
babies.
If you are bottle feeding then your Doctor may suggest that you switch
to a soy based formula, switching to just another milk based formula wont
help however as it will be necessary to avoid all protein which is found
in cows milk.
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