Symptoms occur immediately, up to an hour after consuming cow’s milk or other dairy containing food. Symptoms include one of more of the following:
- Mild or moderate allergic reactions such itchy rash, redness or hives (nettle rash), swelling of the lips, face or eyes, stomach (tummy) pain, vomiting and diarrhoea.
- Sometimes (rarely) there can be severe allergic reactions include noisy breathing, breathing difficulties, tongue swelling, loss of consciousness or floppiness in babies or young children. These are concerning symptoms (anaphylaxis) and should always be treated as a medical emergency, requiring immediate treatment with adrenaline (epinephrine) and calling for an ambulance.
Diagnosis is based on the history of reaction to milk and additional allergy tests. Allergy tests (skin tests or blood tests) to cow’s milk are usually positive for rapid onset reactions. Treatment is the strict avoidance of milk and dairy food in child’s diet.