About this topic
A milk allergy is one kind of food allergy. It happens when your body reacts to a protein found in milk. Your body thinks the milk protein is something that may harm you. Then your body attacks it by mistake. This causes your body to let chemicals loose into your blood. The chemicals can cause problems with many parts of your body. � �
You may have signs within a few minutes after contact with milk or eating a food with milk in it. Other times, it takes a few hours. Some people have a very bad reaction to even a small amount of milk. Most kids outgrow a milk allergy after 2 to 3 years of age. Some may have it until they become teens. Others will have it all of their life. � �
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What are the causes?
A food allergy is caused when your immune system treats a harmless substance in a food as a threat. Then, it lets loose chemicals to keep the "threat " � from harming your body. Instead, the chemicals cause the signs of an allergic response. � �
Milk has two parts. Casein is the solid part and whey is the liquid part. You may have an allergy to either one. � �
What can make this more likely to happen?
- Your family history may raise your risk for a milk allergy. You are at a higher risk for a food allergy if someone in your family has:
- Allergies
- Asthma
- Eczema
- Hives
- If you are allergic to one kind of food, you are more likely to be allergic to others.
- Younger children are more likely to have food allergies than adults.
- Asthma and allergies tend to happen at the same time.
What are the main signs?
- Skin reaction:
- Itchy skin
- Skin rashes and redness
- Hives
- Itchy and watery eyes
- Swelling of the lips, mouth, tongue, and face
- Belly reaction:
- Belly cramps
- Throwing up
- Bloody, loose stools
- Lung reaction:
- Runny nose
- Sneezing
- Swelling of the throat
- Shortness of breath
- Trouble breathing
- Coughing
How does the doctor diagnose this health problem?
Your doctor will talk to you about your history. Your doctor will ask about: � �
- Any history of allergies or food allergies that you or your family may have
- What your signs are and when they started
- If you have other illnesses like the flu and colds
Your doctor will do an exam and may look for: � �
- Skin rashes or redness
- Swelling of the lips, mouth, tongue, throat, and face
- Breathing problems
- Belly problems
You may be asked to keep a food diary. You will need to list all of the foods that you eat. You will also list all the drugs you take. Also, write down any signs you are having. This will help the doctor learn if a specific food is causing your problems. � �
Your doctor may do special tests to learn more about your allergies. � �
- Skin test � � � The doctor will place a tiny drop of milk protein on your skin and then make a small scratch through the drop. If you have an allergy, you will have redness itching, and swelling.
- Blood tests � � � Your doctor will take a blood sample to check how your immune system responds to milk.
- Oral challenge test � � � Your doctor will ask you to avoid foods that have milk in them for a few weeks. Your doctor will slowly add foods with milk into your diet. Your doctor will watch you closely. If a reaction happens, it often means you have an allergy to milk.
How does the doctor treat this health problem?
- Care will depend on your signs. If you think you or someone else is having an allergic reaction, get help right away.
- Most often, the best treatment is to avoid milk and products with milk in them.
- Learn to read food labels to find milk or milk products.
- Your doctor may give you drugs to help control the allergy. You may need to use it in an emergency if you have accidentally eaten a food that has milk.
What lifestyle changes are needed?
- Always read the food label with care.
- Ask about the ingredients when ordering foods in restaurants. Ingredients in dishes may change over time.
- Be careful if you are eating food that you have not made yourself.
- Know all the sources of milk products. These may include low-fat milk, buttermilk, butter, yogurt, ice cream, gelato, and cheese.
- Eat other foods high in calcium. These may include broccoli, kale, salmon, sardines, oysters, and shrimp.
- Eat foods high in vitamin D to help calcium absorb well inside your body. These include eggs, tuna fish, salmon, and liver. Exposure to sunlight on a regular basis in the early morning can also help you absorb vitamin D.
- Talk to your doctor about taking supplements to replace calcium and nutrients found in milk.
What drugs may be needed?
- The doctor may order drugs to:
- Ease signs like swelling and itching
- Control allergic reactions
- Help with discomfort
- Your doctor may give you an emergency shot to control a very bad allergic reaction. You may also be given a special shot to carry with you. This would be used if you have some other serious reaction to milk.
Will there be any other care needed?
- Wear a medic alert ID. Make sure that you carry your emergency drugs all the time.
- Tell family and friends about your health problem and how to help.
- Do not eat foods you are not familiar with. Make a list of the foods you need to avoid.
- Carefully clean the kitchen area and tools you use when cooking. This will help keep them from being contaminated by other foods. Be sure to wash knives, spoons, or forks if touched with milk.
- Avoid eating fried foods. Some oils used to fry foods have milk content.
- Ask your doctor about other kinds of milk that are safe for you. Rice and soy milk can be used to replace cows milk.
- Do not replace cow's milk with goat or sheep's milk. Milk proteins of these animals are the same.
- Be careful when using cosmetics and other beauty products. Some products may have milk content. Some drugs have milk content also.
What can be done to prevent this health problem?
There is no sure way to prevent milk allergy. � �
Where can I learn more?
Allergist � �
http://www.acaai.org/allergist/allergies/Types/food-allergies/types/Pages/milk-allergy.aspx � �
Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America � �
http://www.aafa.org/display.cfm?id=9&sub=20&cont=516 � �
Canadian Food Inspection Agency � �
http://www.inspection.gc.ca/food/dairy-products/eng/1299789088163/1299794504365 � �
Food Allergy and Anaphylaxis Network � �
http://www.foodallergy.org/page/milk-allergy � �
KidsHealth � �
http://kidshealth.org/parent/medical/allergies/milkallergy.html � �
Consumer Information Use and Disclaimer
This information is not specific medical advice and does not replace information you receive from your health care provider. This is only a brief summary of general information. It does NOT include all information about conditions, illnesses, injuries, tests, procedures, treatments, therapies, discharge instructions or life-style choices that may apply to you. You must talk with your health care provider for complete information about your health and treatment options. This information should not be used to decide whether or not to accept your health care providers advice, instructions or recommendations. Only your health care provider has the knowledge and training to provide advice that is right for you. � �
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