Anaphylaxis

Cow's Milk Protein Allergy Symptom: Anaphylactic shock.

Anaphylaxis is a whole-body allergic reaction that can occur when someone is exposed to something they are allergic too. It is a serious reaction that usually begins within in minutes and can worsen very quickly.

Anaphylaxis is a medical emergency and should always be treated immediately. It is most commonly caused by peanut, tree nut, cow’s milk or egg allergy. If a child has a cow’s milk protein allergy they may be at risk of an anaphylactic reaction, even if they’ve not had one before but will depend on the nature and severity of their allergy.

Anaphylaxis is considered a life-threatening generalised or systemic allergic (or hypersensitivity) reaction with sudden onset (minutes to a few hours).¹ Many different definitions exist but most include similar details.

It is suggested that increased awareness of anaphylaxis is needed among healthcare professionals, patients, caregivers and the public to ensure optimal treatments are achieved.¹

The prevalence of the various causes of anaphylaxis are age-dependent and vary geographically.² Although the fatality rate due to anaphylaxis remains low³ the frequency of hospitalisations due to food and drug-induced anaphylaxis has increased in recent years.⁴

What
Causes
Anaphylaxis
in Infants?

In Europe, food-induced anaphylaxis in children is typically from peanut, hazelnut, milk, and egg; and in adults, wheat, celery, and crustaceans.^5,6 Venom-induced anaphylaxis is typically caused by wasps and bees.²

Could It Be a
Symptom of
Cow’s Milk
Protein Allergy?

Anaphylactic reactions commonly occur in the home setting (48%) and it’s been reported that food is the most common trigger (85% of cases).⁷ Of these foods, cow’s milk, peanut and tree nuts are among the most common causes of food-induced anaphylaxis in children.^8,9

In one study they reported that cow’s milk accounted for 21% of 39 fatalities in children less than 16 years of age.⁴ It has also been identified in several reports of food-induced fatalities in infants.¹⁰

Note: infants or children who have had an anaphylactic reaction should always be seen by an allergy specialist.