Diarrhea and a face rash are possible symptoms of a milk allergy and fifth disease. A milk allergy can be life threatening, but fifth disease is a mild illness. Always consult with your doctor for a proper diagnosis and treatment.
Identification
A milk allergy will often produce diarrhea and a rash that starts on the face and extends to other areas of the body. Other symptoms of a milk protein allergy are a runny nose, cough and wheezing. If the allergy is severe, anaphylactic shock could result in difficulty breathing, swelling of the throat, low blood pressure and a possible loss of consciousness. The rash with fifth disease looks like your child was slapped in the cheek. The illness begins with cold-like symptoms, but once the symptoms disappear, a rash appears. In some cases, diarrhea will be present with fifth disease, as well as red eyes and a sore throat.
Cause
A milk allergy occurs when your immune system identifies a milk protein as being harmful and produces antibodies to destroy the protein. Two types of proteins that cause milk allergies are casein and whey. Fifth disease is a mild viral illness caused by parvovirus B19. It can be spread by contact with an infected person's fluids, such as through a sneeze or cough. Parvovirus B19 can also be spread indirectly if the infected person's fluids land on an object, such as a telephone or remote control.
Treatment
If your child has a rash and diarrhea from a milk allergy, antihistamines can be taken after exposure to a milk protein to relieve discomfort. If the symptoms worsen, your child may need to be taken to the emergency room for an injection of epinephrine. To prevent a life-threatening scenario, the doctor may give auto-injectable epinephrine. Since fifth disease is viral, the illness needs to run its course. Antibiotics will not help with a viral infection. To prevent dehydration from diarrhea, give your child an oral rehydration solution.
Prevention
An antihistamine can be used to prevent an allergic reaction to milk proteins. If you have an infant, breastfeeding until your baby is at least 6 months can reduce his risk of milk allergies. Products labeled milk-free or non-dairy can still contain milk proteins, so thoroughly check ingredients on labels. There is no vaccine for parvovirus B19, so frequent hand washing is the only way to prevent fifth disease. Children are not contagious once the rash appears.
