How is cows milk allergy diagnosed

If a healthcare professional suspects that your baby might have cow’s milk allergy they will advise you on the next steps. Following their recommendations and seeing the diagnosis process through to the end will help you get to the bottom of your baby’s symptoms and allow you to make changes for the better.

Allergy tests

There are several tests that healthcare professionals might carry out to help diagnose cow’s milk allergy. They may ask for the baby to be put on an elimination diet followed by a food challenge. If an IgE-mediated allergy is suspected (where the symptoms usually occur immediately after consuming cow’s milk protein), they may carry out a skin prick or blood test. Read about the different types of cow’s milk allergy to help you understand the difference between IgE-mediated and non-IgE-mediated allergies.

After the diagnosis process has shown whether a baby does or doesn’t have cow’s milk allergy, parents will be advised on what changes to make. Find out more about the dietary changes that healthcare professionals may recommend to help manage cow’s milk allergy.

Immunoglobulin E. A class of antibodies produced by the immune system that triggers many of the signs of allergic reactions. IgE antibody levels are often high in children with an allergy.
A nutrient composed of one or more long chain of amino acids. Proteins are an essential part of all living organisms, especially as structural components of body tissues, as enzymes and as antibodies.

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