Milk Allergy Symptoms, Risk Factors & Treatment | Diseases List A-Z

Milk Allergy Milk allergy is a condition in which a person’s immune system reacts to cow’s milk protein and its derivatives.

This allergy is prone to targeting children, although some adults can also experience this allergy throughout their lives.

These allergy symptoms can range from mild to severe and can affect the digestive system, skin, respiratory and cardiovascular systems.

This allergy can also mean a reaction of the immune system to products derived from milk.

This condition is generally prone to occur in children, especially when consuming cow’s milk or its derivatives.

However, it is possible that this condition can be caused by goat’s milk, sheep’s milk, or other mammals.

The milk proteins that most often cause allergies are whey and casein.

Milk Allergy Symptoms Allergy symptoms usually appear one hour after consuming milk.

Symptoms include: Vomit.

The breath sounds wheezy.

Redness of the skin.

Itchy.

Swollen.

Diarrhea or loose stools accompanied by blood in the stool.

Stomach cramps.

Cough.

Runny nose.

Watery eyes.

Itchy red rash around the mouth.

The presence of colic in babies is characterized by the baby crying non-stop and without any clear reason.

Allergy symptoms usually appear within minutes to hours after consuming cow’s milk products and their derivatives.

However, in some cases, symptoms may appear within 24 to 48 hours.

In severe allergic reactions (anaphylaxis) the following symptoms may occur: The airways and throat are blocked, resulting in shortness of breath.

Blood pressure drops drastically.

Red face and itching all over the body.

First-aid measures should be taken if anaphylaxis occurs.

Sufferers should immediately receive medical help at the hospital.

Risk Factors Some people are at higher risk of developing allergies (susceptible) than others.

Some of these include: There is a history of allergies in family members, for example asthma, eczema, rhinitis, hay fever.

Babies and children are more susceptible to it because their digestive system is not yet perfect.

However, this condition will improve with age and maturity of the digestive tract.

There is a history of atopic dermatitis (skin inflammation originating from allergies in children).

Having allergies to other foods that generally develop after the allergy occurs.

Causes of Milk Allergy The main cause of this allergy is a disruption in the sufferer’s immune system which incorrectly identifies the protein in milk as a substance that is harmful to the body.

This triggers the immune system to produce Immunoglobulin E to neutralize the allergen and release histamine into the blood, causing allergy symptoms.

Milk allergy is different from lactose intolerance.

If the allergy is caused by a disorder of the immune system, while lactose intolerance occurs because the body is not yet able to accept certain substances, and has nothing to do with the sufferer’s immune system.

This allergy occurs when a person’s immune system mistakenly identifies cow’s milk protein as a threat and produces antibodies to fight it.

It causes allergic reactions when a person consumes cow’s milk products and its derivatives.

Some of the most common cow’s milk proteins that cause allergies are casein and whey.

Risk factors for developing this allergy include: Family history of allergies This allergy History of other food allergies Age: children are more likely to experience this allergy than adults.

Digestive disorders, such as gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) High environmental exposure to allergens Milk Allergy Diagnosis Some steps that the doctor will take to confirm the diagnosis are as follows: Asking about the sufferer and their family’s history of allergies, including what foods and drinks they have eaten, the allergy symptoms that arise, and whether the symptoms decrease or disappear when the food is stopped.

Physical examination to check for indications of allergies in the sufferer’s body.

Blood sample testing to check the levels of Immunoglobulin E antibodies in the sufferer’s blood.

Test through the skin, usually by making a small wound on the surface of the sufferer’s skin.

The small wound on the skin will show a small amount of milk protein.

If during observation a small itchy lump appears in the area, it indicates a milk allergy.

Milk Allergy Complications Children who experience this condition are at greater risk of experiencing other health problems, such as: Allergies to other foods, such as eggs, soy, peanuts, or beef.

Hay fever.

This is a common reaction to pet dander, dust mites, grass pollen, and other substances.

Milk Allergy Treatment In children, this condition will disappear with age.

However, in some cases, there are children who continue to have allergies into adulthood.

The most important treatment is to avoid milk and food products containing milk.

Consumption of drugs to reduce allergy symptoms are: Antihistamines have the benefit of reducing discomfort due to symptoms originating from allergic reactions.

Adrenaline to treat severe allergy symptoms (anaphylaxis) by injection by a doctor.

Milk Allergy Prevention Avoiding allergies to milk is by not consuming milk or products containing milk or milk protein.

Some products that contain milk or its proteins are butter, yogurt, pudding, cakes, ice cream, cheese, foods containing lactose or lactate, candy, chocolate, caramel, and products containing whey and casein.

In breastfeeding mothers, the way to prevent cow’s milk allergy in babies is to provide exclusive breastfeeding without adding formula milk or other drinks and foods during the first 6 months of the baby’s life.

Breast milk is considered the best food and can prevent allergies in babies.

If a baby has been diagnosed with this allergy, the doctor will advise the mother not to consume cow’s milk or products containing cow’s milk so that the substance does not enter the baby through breast milk.

If your child is not breastfed, there are several alternatives.

Giving hypoallergenic formula milk, soy milk, or rice milk can be an alternative substitute to prevent symptoms.

Mothers can consult a doctor if their child has symptoms and provide replacement formula milk according to the doctor’s recommendations.

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