Milk allergy is described as a reaction or an uncomfortableness that is triggered by drinking milk. Many children have trouble with milk and experience rash, vomiting, and wheezing with milk exposure.
Some children also experience trouble breathing and when it happens it is advised to seek medical attention immediately. People are growing out of milk allergy less than they used to. But still, the large population of children with severe milk allergy is less when compared with the peanut allergy.
With the help of treatment, some children are able to drink milk who was very allergic before. It means the children are able to tolerate some amount of milk in their diet. There are so many forms of foods that have small amounts of milk in it. it is really important for the parents to identify those foods and advised them to keep it out of children who are allergic to milk.
Overview
People who are allergic to milk shouldn’t drink it. when they drink milk, they will experience severe hives, swelling, vomiting, and even faces difficulty in breathing properly. For children, it will take four to six months depending on the child. There are many specialists who can treat this condition in an infant who has a milk allergy and they will also recommend the right formula to the infant.
If your child is experiencing the symptoms of milk allergy then it is better for you to talk with your physician about what’s going on and they can review the baby condition and help to determine what options are best for an infant.
Milk Allergy vs Lactose intolerance
Milk allergy and lactose intolerance are very different. Milk allergy is a reaction generated by a protein and it triggers an inflammation response in the gastrointestinal tract and it can be localized in the small intestine or it can be in the large intestine generating and inflammation and this is entirely different from the lactose intolerance which is just male digestion of a milk sugar then the body is not able to digest it and therefore it goes through the system in a way where it gives the patient symptoms rather than generating an inflammatory response.
The following are the common signs and symptoms of milk allergy and lactose intolerance. These signs and symptoms include
- Bloating
- Gas
- Diarrhea
What are the indicators of milk allergy?
The most common symptom associated with milk allergy is going to be vomiting. The symptoms have differed from person to person.
Hives, wheezing, colic, tingling feeling around the lips or mouth, watery eyes, swelling of the lips, runny nose, swelling of the tongue, cramps in the abdomen, swelling of the throat, coughing, difficulty in breathing or unable to breathe, hard bowel movements or loose stools, tingling, blood in the stool, and vomiting are considered as the common signs and symptoms associated with a milk allergy.
When your child is experiencing the above signs and symptoms of milk allergy then it is better for you to talk with your physician about what’s going on and they can review the baby condition and help to determine what options are best for the baby.
What are the causes of milk allergy?
There can be a variety of metabolic causes that can cause milk intolerance and this is very important to keep in mind. The main cause of milk allergy or milk intolerance in a child is the malfunction of the immune system.
When a person is suffering from the milk allergy, taking certain milk protein products can be harmful to your body and it will be identified by your immune system. Your immune system will react negatively when a person consumes a milk product who is suffering from a milk allergy condition.
Histamine is a chemical released from your immune system and it can cause a range of allergic signs and symptoms. Whenever you consume milk and your body will send a signal to your immune system to release the chemicals that can cause allergic symptoms. Casein and whey are the two main proteins in cow’s milk and it can cause a range of allergic signs and symptoms to the person who is suffering from this condition.
These proteins are hard to avoid as there are so many forms of foods that have small amounts of milk proteins in it.
What are the sources of milk?
One should know the sources of milk in order to avoid the milk protein foods. Whole milk, low-fat milk, skim milk, buttermilk, ice cream, gelato, butter, and yogurt are the obvious sources of milk proteins.
Hydrolysates, whey, artificial cheese flavor, casein, artificial butter flavor, protein powders, chocolates, nougat, caramel, and ingredients spelled with the prefix “lact” like lactose and lactate are considered as the hidden sources of milk and used in the preparation of foods as an ingredient.
What are the risk factors of milk allergy?
There are a number of well-established risk factors developing the condition and these risk factors include
- Allergies
- Atopic dermatitis
- Family history
- Age
Allergies
Many children who have trouble with milk are also suffering from other allergies. These other allergies may contribute to the cause of this condition.
Atopic dermatitis
Chronic inflammation of the skin condition known as atopic dermatitis may contribute to the cause of milk allergy in some children. It means children who have this common skin condition have a higher risk of getting diagnosed with this condition.
Family history
A person is more likely to develop this allergy if his or her parents were diagnosed with milk allergy in their childhood in the past. If the parents were diagnosed with milk allergy in the past, the chances of a baby’s risk of milk allergy increases.
Age
Infants are more likely to develop this condition and it is because as they age, their digestive system and immunity power will improve automatically.
What are the complications of milk allergy?
Children who are suffering from milk allergy have higher chances of developing other medical conditions such as hay fever, and allergies to other foods. These foods include
- Eggs
- Soy
- Peanuts
- Beef
How is milk allergy diagnosed?
It is very difficult for a person who is suffering from food allergy to find out what food is causing him allergy. It is advised to consult a healthcare provider if you or your child is suffering from milk allergy.
Your physician will start the process of diagnosing the condition by asking questions relating to the symptoms that a person is experiencing. He may also conduct a physical examination of your body if he wants. The following are test is recommended by your physician to confirm the diagnosis of the condition. These tests include
- Skin test
- Blood test
Skin test
This test is used to find out whether your body is exposed to milk allergy. Your skin will be pricked by your physician and exposed to small amounts of the milk proteins. Your body will develop a raised bump on the skin where your skin is exposed to allergy. But, this test is not considered as best even though it provides the necessary information to your healthcare provider and this is very important to keep in mind.
Blood test
Your physician will know about how the immune system is responding to the milk and it can also reveal the information about the IgE antibodies in your blood. This test is also not completely accurate to confirm the diagnosis of a milk allergy.
If the physical examination and the above tests are unable to confirm the diagnosis of a milk allergy, then your doctor may recommend you to consume different foods that contain the milk proteins to check the reaction of your body.
How is milk allergy treated?
There is only one way to treat this condition and that is to avoid foods that contain milk proteins and milk. It is very difficult as there are so many forms of foods that have small amounts of milk in it. it is really important for a person who is suffering from milk allergy to talking with their doctor regarding which foods to avoid.
If your condition becomes severe, then there are some medications that can be used to manage your condition at that time. Antihistamines can reduce a mild allergic reaction and your physician may prescribe an injection of epinephrine to you. It is advised to carry that injection wherever you go and know how to use that device. It can be very helpful in emergency situations.
How to prevent this condition?
It is not an easy task to prevent a food allergy. All you can do is to avoid milk and the food that causes them. It is better to check for the ingredients list in the label before eating the food in it and also question ingredients when ordering food in restaurants. There are only a few ways to prevent this condition.
Conclusion
Milk allergy is a treatable condition and you should know how to manage it. identifying the food that is triggering the condition is the first step to treat this problem. If you are experiencing milk allergy symptoms talk with your physician about what’s going on and they can review with you about your family history and help you to determine what options are best for you.