Milk allergy symptoms can range from mild to severe, and can occur immediately or take a few hours to manifest. Anaphylaxis is a life-threatening immune system response that can occur in severe cases. Milk allergy and lactose intolerance are not the same condition and require different treatment. Casein and whey are the proteins most often at the root of milk allergies. The only way to prevent an allergic response is to avoid milk and dairy products completely.
Milk allergy symptoms can vary from individual to individual. Symptoms can come on quickly after drinking milk or take up to a few hours to manifest. A milk allergy can suddenly develop where none existed before. Some babies can be so sensitive to milk and dairy products that they may have an allergic reaction to small amounts of cow’s milk passed into breast milk from products ingested by the nursing mother.
Milk allergy symptoms can often occur immediately after ingesting milk. These symptoms include: hives, vomiting, wheezing and shortness of breath. Some milk allergy symptoms may take longer to present, such as abdominal cramps, diarrhea, cough, runny nose, skin rashes, and loose stools that may or may not contain blood and/or mucus. A doctor should be consulted immediately if any of these symptoms occur.
Milk allergy and lactose intolerance, also called milk protein intolerance, are not the same condition and the terms should not be used interchangeably. An allergy by definition involves the immune system and a milk allergy is no exception. Lactose intolerance and milk allergies cause a different set of symptoms and require different treatment. The most common symptoms of lactose intolerance are digestive upset including bloating, gas and diarrhea soon after drinking milk or eating a milk product such as cheese or ice cream.
A true allergic reaction to milk can cause anaphylaxis, which is a life-threatening immune system response that can narrow your airways. If a person has even a mild reaction to milk, their doctor should be notified immediately. Tests can be done to determine if it is indeed a milk allergy and then steps can be taken to ensure that future incidents are avoided. Anaphylaxis, also commonly called anaphylactic shock, is an extremely serious condition that must be treated with adrenaline. Symptoms of anaphylaxis are: swollen throat, difficulty breathing, shock, rapid pulse, rapid and severe drop in blood pressure, dizziness, and even complete loss of consciousness.
Milk allergy symptoms can range from mild to severe. Like all food allergies, a milk allergy is caused by a malfunction of the immune system which mistakenly identifies specific proteins in milk as harmful to the body. The body in turn begins to produce immunoglobulin E (IgE) antibodies to neutralize the protein it perceives as an allergen. The next time these milk proteins are encountered, the IgE antibodies recognize them. This signals the immune system to release histamines and other chemicals, which manifest as allergy symptoms. Histamines are largely responsible for the most common allergic reactions such as runny nose, itchy and watery eyes, hives, nausea, breathing difficulties and anaphylaxis.
Casein and whey are the proteins most often at the root of milk allergies. Casein is in the curd, or solid part, of the milk when it curdles, while whey is in the liquid component of the milk that remains liquid after it has coagulated. These proteins also appear in many dairy products, although sometimes only one or the other is present. A person allergic to milk may be allergic to one or both of these proteins. If your milk allergy symptoms are determined to indicate a true milk allergy, the only surefire way to prevent an allergic response is to avoid milk and dairy products completely.
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