Skin/Dermatological Symptoms of Cow's Milk Allergy

Up to 75% of infants with cow’s milk allergy (CMA) may present with skin-related symptoms¹.

These symptoms may occur alone or in combination and include:

Urticaria

Urticaria is a common skin condition characterised by well-circumscribed, intensely itchy (pruritic), raised wheals caused by superficial skin oedema2.

Acute urticaria is a frequent cutaneous symptom of IgE-mediated CMA2,3.

Atopic dermatitis (eczema)

Atopic dermatitis (AD), also known as eczema, is a chronic, relapsing inflammatory skin disorder that causes intense itching⁵. It is the most common inflammatory skin disease in children, affecting up to 20% globally⁶.

Approximately 50–70% of children with early-onset AD are sensitised to one or more allergens, with cow’s milk being one of the most common7.

Rash

Skin rashes are very common in infants and are often  self-resolving without the need for treatment8. However, food allergies—especially to cow’s milk—are known contributors to unexplained rashes in infants4.

Angio-oedema

Angio-oedema is defined as localised swelling involving the deeper layers of the skin or mucous membranes, often lasting several days9.

It is a well-recognised symptom of IgE-mediated CMA and can occur acutely in infants3.

  1. Vandenplas Y, Broekaert I, Domellöf M, et al. An ESPGHAN position paper on the diagnosis, management, and prevention of cow’s milk allergy. J Pediatr Gastroenterol Nutr. 2024;78(2):386–413.
  2. Schaefer P. Urticaria: evaluation and treatment. Am Fam Physician. 2011;83(9):1078–84.
  3. Lifschitz C, Szajewska H. Cow’s milk allergy: evidence-based diagnosis and management for the practitioner. Eur J Pediatr. 2015;174:141–50.
  4. Sampson HA. Update on food allergy. J Allergy Clin Immunol. 2004;113(5):805–19.
  5. Leung DY, Bieber T. Atopic dermatitis. Lancet. 2003;361(9352):151–60.
  6. Flohr C, Mann J. New insights into the epidemiology of childhood atopic dermatitis. Allergy. 2014;69(1):3–16.
  7. Nutten S. Atopic dermatitis: global epidemiology and risk factors. Ann Nutr Metab. 2015;66(Suppl 1):8–16.
  8. O’Connor NR, McLaughlin MR, Ham P. Newborn skin: part I. Common rashes. Am Fam Physician. 2008;77(1):47–52.
  9. Kazandjieva J, Christoff G. Angioedema as a systemic disease. Clin Dermatol. 2019;37(6):636–43.
Signs of CMA
Respiratory symptoms

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