Atopic Dermatitis / Eczema

Skin Symptoms of Cow'S Milk Protein Allergy.

Atopic dermatitis (AD), also referred to as eczema, is a highly pruritic, chronic, relapsing and inflammatory skin disorder.¹ It is the most common inflammatory skin disease in children, affecting up to 20% of children worldwide.²

First manifestations of AD usually appear early in life and can be the initial step to the so-called ‘atopic march’ - preceding other allergic diseases such as asthma or allergic rhinitis.³

The symptoms of AD in infants include patches of skin that are red or brownish, dry, cracked, scaly or itchy skin, especially at night.³ It can appear almost anywhere on the body, however in infants, AD usually appears as tiny bumps on the cheeks.

It is typically an episodic disease of exacerbation (flares, which may occur as frequently as 2 or 3 per month) followed by remissions, but can also be continuous.⁴ It may have a genetic component that makes the skin susceptible to trigger factors, including irritants and allergens, which can make the eczema worse.⁴

What Causes
Atopic Dermatitis/
Eczema in Infants?

Around 50–70% of children with an early onset of AD are sensitised to one or more allergens.³ These are mainly food allergens, e.g., cow’s milk/dairy proteins,^5,6 which was responsible for AD in 20–80% cases.^3,6

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

Atopic dermatitis (AD) in infants is one of the most common cutaneous symptoms of Cow’s Milk Protein Allergy (CMPA).^6,7

However, when considering the diagnosis of CMPA, it’s important to note that the majority of these infants have at least two symptoms affecting at least two different organ systems).^8-10

Therefore, it is important to consider the individual child as well as the magnitude of their symptoms. This can be achieved using an awareness tool such as the Cow’s Milk Related Symptom Score (CoMiSS™) which will help you determine if CMPA might be indicated.^11,12