Cow's milk allergy: Guidelines for the diagnostic evaluation

About 2 % of the general population and up to 6 % of children suffer from food allergy. Cow's milk is charged with a important role in infancy after weaning, since conventional formula are based on its procession. IgE-mediated and Non-IgE-mediated allergic reactions, which are different in manifestation and pathogenesis, can be distinguished. A special role play the exacerbation of atopic dermatitis and the gastrointestinal-food-hypersensitivity-reactions. Skin-prick-test and determination of specific IgE are important diagnostic tools beside medical history. The golden standard of diagnosis is the double-blind-placebo-controlled-food-challenge. The clear result from food-challenge allows to verify suspected food allergies or, on the other hand, to avoid unnecessary diets. Extensively-hydrolysed-formula or Amino-acidformula are a high nutritional value alternative in case of proved cow's milk allergy in infancy.