Cow's milk allergies are very common in children. In fact, many children may show an aversion to milk when they are young, and grow out of it as they get older. If your child has a milk allergy and you fail to catch it, it could create problems for the child. The child doesn't have to be drinking straight cow's milk to have an allergy—they can get it through formula or breast milk. Here are some signs that your child has an allergy to cow's milk.

1. Eczema

Eczema is a skin condition that affects many people. If your child is showing rashes and dry patches around their skin, you might conclude that it is simply a skin condition. You may buy expensive creams and lotions to try and treat the problem, without realizing that the cause of the problem is not an incurable skin condition, but actually an allergic reaction to milk. Milk causes people to have acne, eczema, and rashes, so if you find that your child is suffering from any of these things, take milk out of their diet and see if the eczema clears up. You may be able to treat the skin issues without any lotions or other treatments.

2. Excessive Crying

Another thing to look for in your young child is excessive crying. When your child is suffering from a milk allergy, it can make them feel jittery, anxious, and in pain. They might be extra clingy to their mother or father, cry a lot through the night, and act as though they have a stomach ache right after eating.

If your child is crying a lot, don't assume that they just have a difficult and challenging personality. You may have a strong-willed child, but it's also likely that you have a child that is experiencing a stomach ache and anxiety from drinking milk.

3. Runny Nose

Lastly, you should be looking for a runny nose in your child. It is normal for children to get colds and have runny noses for a couple days. But children who are having allergic reactions suffer from perpetual runny noses. They seem to always have a mild nasal drip and the mucous is not yellow or green, it is generally clear. This is because the milk is triggering their immune system without actually having any bacteria in the body.

If you think your child may have a milk allergy, take milk out of their diet, or if you are a nursing mother, take milk out of your diet. For more information, contact a pediatrician at a doctor's office such as Willow Oak Pediatrics.

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