Milk and milk proteins allergy test

Milk protein allergy testing: What are your options?

Milk protein allergy is a type of food allergy, testing options include:

• Oral food challenge: You are supervised while you eat milk or milk powder
• Blood test: A blood sample is tested for immunoglobulin E (IgE) antibodies, indicating your immune system’s response to milk
• Skin prick test: Liquid containing milk or milk protein is applied to the skin

If you have delayed-onset cow’s milk allergy or your allergy is linked to eczema, skin and blood tests may not provide clear results. Your doctor or dietitian may need to confirm your diagnosis by monitoring your symptoms and whether they improve after you have stopped eating cow’s milk.

Understanding milk allergy symptoms and testing methods

Milk allergy symptoms include:

• Hives
• Itchy rash
• Swollen face, lips, tongue, or throat
• Wheezing
• Vomiting
• Diarrhoea
• Bloody stools
• More severe allergic reactions such as anaphylaxis, which can be life-threatening

Testing methods for milk allergy include the skin prick test, blood tests, or an oral food challenge. You may however need to see a healthcare professional for a complete diagnosis.

When to consider milk allergy testing

You should consider the milk allergy test if you have allergy symptoms, such as hives, swelling of your lips or face, bloating, abdominal pain, vomiting, or skin rashes, which develop quickly after being exposed to specific milk allergens.

How do you test for milk and milk protein allergies at home?

You can test for milk and milk protein allergies at home using a home test kit or by carrying out a home milk challenge:

• Test kits can be used to detect allergy antibodies to cow’s milk protein. Some kits use a blood sample to test for raised IgE allergy antibodies, while other kits use urine testing strips
• The home milk challenge, where gradually larger amounts of milk are given to a child. You should discuss this test with a healthcare practitioner before starting the challenge at home

How quickly do you get the results for milk protein allergy testing?

Your milk protein allergy test results will be available within two to three working days of receiving your sample at the laboratory.

Frequently asked questions about the milk and milk proteins allergy test

What is the most accurate test for diagnosing a milk protein allergy?

There are a number of tests that can help diagnose a milk protein allergy, including the skin prick test, blood test, oral food challenge, stool test and elimination diet. You may need to use a combination of these tests to accurately diagnose a milk allergy or an allergist may perform an oral challenge.

How does milk allergy differ from lactose intolerance?

A milk allergy is a reaction by the body’s immune system to dairy proteins. Lactose intolerance is not an allergy. It does not involve the immune system. People with lactose intolerance are unable to produce enough lactase to digest sugars in milk products.

Can a milk protein allergy be outgrown?

Yes, most young children will outgrow a milk protein allergy by the age of 3 to 5 years, but they may need to continue to avoid milk products if they do not outgrow the allergy.

What symptoms suggest a need for a milk allergy test?

Symptoms suggesting a need for a milk allergy test include hives, an itchy rash, a swollen face, lips, tongue, or throat, wheezing, vomiting, abdominal pain, constipation, diarrhoea and bloody stools after having consumed milk.

What foods should be avoided if a milk protein allergy is confirmed?

If you have a milk protein allergy, you should avoid:

• Dairy products, such as full-fat, low-fat, skimmed milk, buttermilk, ice cream, cheese and yoghurt
• Sheep and goat’s milk
• Butter, butter fat, butter oil
• Caseinates, custard, cream, pudding, ghee, lactalbumin, sour cream, lactose, nougat and whey proteins
• Processed meats
• Flavourings
• Chocolate, high-protein flour, and margarine

If you are breastfeeding and your baby is showing cow’s milk protein allergy (colic, hives, skin rashes) you should avoid dairy products and cow’s milk for up to 6 weeks.