Anal eczema may be caused by cow’s milk allergy

A study on 63 infants with more than 3 weeks history of perianal dermatitis (eczema around the anus) has looked into whether cow’s milk allergy might be one of the causes of this condition.

Each infant in the study was diagnosed through medical history, examination, stool analysis, culture, pH and reducing substances, perianal swab for cultures and staining for Candida albicans.

Cow’s milk allergy was detected using blood count and cow’s milk-specific serum IgE concentration, and confirmed with an open withdrawal-rechallenge procedure. Some infants had gastrointestinal endoscopies, and coeliac disease markers and serum immunoglobulins (checking for antibodies which could indicate a presence of allergy).

The researchers found that causes of perianal dermatitis were: cow’s milk allergy (47.6%), bacterial dermatitis (17.46%), moniliasis (15.87%), enterobiasis (9.52%) and lactose intolerance (9.5%).

Symptoms of cow’s milk allergy can be bloody and/or mucoid stool (faecal matter accompanied by blood and/or mucous), other allergies, anal fissures, and/or recurrent vomiting. The researchers concluded that cow’s milk allergy is a common cause of perianal dermatitis.

Source: ISRN Pediatrics

September 2012

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