Risk factors

Certain factors may increase the risk of developing milk allergy:

• Other allergies. Many children allergic to milk also have other allergies. Milk allergy may develop before other allergies.
• Atopic dermatitis. Children who have atopic dermatitis — a common, chronic inflammation of the skin — are much more likely to develop a food allergy.
• Family history. A person's risk of a food allergy increases if one or both parents have a food allergy or another type of allergy or allergic disease — such as hay fever, asthma, hives or eczema.
• Age. Milk allergy is more common in children. As they age, their digestive systems mature, and their bodies are less likely to react to milk.