Milk Allergy?

When my daughter drinks whole milk she develops redness and pimple like bumps wherever the milk touches her skin. She is one year old. Could this be a milk allergy?

[Bhupinder Kaur, MD]

Hello,
This can be due to milk allergy. Cow’s milk contains over 25 different proteins which can cause reactions in individuals allergic to milk. Some people are allergic to just one of them, whilst the majority are allergic to several. These proteins may be found in other foods also. Like wheat or gluten contains riboflavin which is found in milk also. So people allergic to milk may show allergy towards wheat also. This phenomenon is called cross reactivity.
To confirm the diagnosis, I suggest you to get allergy testing and blood allergy tests done from an allergist. Food challenge tests are also helpful.

It is very difficult to precisely confirm a diagnosis without examination and investigations and the answer is based on the medical information provided. For exact diagnosis, you are requested to consult your doctor. I sincerely hope that helps. Take care and please do keep me posted on how you are doing.