A milk allergy is an abnormal immune system response to milk and milk-containing products. One of the multiple proteins in animal milk can cause this response. The alpha S1-casein protein in cow’s milk is the most common cause of milk allergy. However, milk allergy can also be caused by milk from goats, buffalo, sheep, and other mammals. You might be surprised to find that milk allergies affect between 2% and 3% of children under the age of three.
According to experts, the vast majority of children with this allergy are likely to outgrow it by the time they reach their third birthday. But, some new research contradicts this belief. According to one study, only about 20% of children had outgrown their milk allergies by the age of four. Nevertheless, most children outgrow their milk allergy before they turn 16. Fortunately, allergists are trained to evaluate milk and dairy allergies in people of different ages.
You or your child can experience an allergic reaction shortly after drinking milk. Vomiting, wheezing, hives, and digestive issues are common symptoms of a milk allergy. There is also the possibility of anaphylaxis resulting from milk allergy. The basic treatment for milk allergies is to avoid milk and milk products. Most children outgrow their milk allergies. Those who do not grow out of it may need to avoid milk products.
Symptoms Of Milk Allergy
Children with a milk allergy frequently have a slow reaction. This means that symptoms will appear gradually, spanning several hours to days. A sluggish reaction involves the following symptoms:
- abdominal cramps
- loose stools which may contain mucus or blood
- intermittent coughing
- skin rash
- slow to gain height and weight
- diarrhoea
- runny nose or sinus infection
Symptoms that occur within seconds to hours may include:
- vomiting
- wheezing
- hives
Milk Allergy or Lactose Intolerance?
Lactose intolerance and milk allergies are not related. A person with a milk or dairy allergy experiences symptoms because their immune system perceives dairy products as dangerous invaders. Vomiting, hives, bloody stools, an upset stomach, and even anaphylactic shock can all result from this reaction.
On the other hand, lactose-intolerant people can’t digest the sugar in milk (lactose) because they don’t have enough lactase, an enzyme generated by cells in the small intestine lining. Lactase is necessary for lactose metabolism. Symptoms such as diarrhoea, stomach gas, and abdominal cramps are caused by a shortage of this enzyme, which can be temporary owing to infection.
If you have digestive issues after eating or drinking dairy products, keep a food diary and note how your body reacts to different foods. You could also try temporarily eliminating dairy items from your diets, such as milk, yoghurt, and cheese, to see if your symptoms improve. Report your findings to an allergist, who can do further testing — usually skin testing — to confirm the diagnosis.
Anaphylaxis
It is possible for a child with a milk allergy to experience anaphylaxis. It is a life-threatening condition in which the airways narrow and breathing becomes difficult. After peanuts and tree nuts, milk is the third most common food to induce anaphylaxis. So, tell your doctor if you or your kid has a reaction to milk, no matter how small. Milk allergy can be confirmed with tests, allowing you to avoid future and potentially worse reactions.
Anaphylaxis is a medical emergency that requires an epinephrine (adrenaline) shot and a trip to the emergency room. The following signs and symptoms or anaphylaxis may appear shortly after drinking milk:
- swollen throat and constricting airways that make breathing difficult.
- Itching
- Facial flushing
- shock, with a significant drop in blood pressure
The Bottom Line
If your child or you experience symptoms of a milk allergy after consuming milk, you should see your doctor. If possible, see your doctor during an allergic reaction for a better diagnosis.
If there are any signs or symptoms of anaphylaxis, get immediate medical attention.
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