Milk allergy | Milk protein allergy
milk-allergy
Now a days we are coming across that even milk has become more and more common allergen. It is a very difficult situation when a small kid or an infant having milk allergy, milk is the prime ingredient for children for their growth. Imagine if someone has milk allergy, he has to make sure that whatever he consumes should not contain milk.
One has to take such allergies very seriously. Doesn’t matter if it is food allergy, turpentine allergy, asthma allergy, skin allergy or any other allergy, because these allergies are sometimes life threatening. Some bodies react to allergens suddenly and some bodies react to allergens little late.
About Milk Allergy
Milk allergy occurs when the immune system tries to fight against the milk proteins. This means that the immune system considers the milk protein as not a healthy ingredient for the body and the immune system fight against milk proteins. This causes an allergic reaction. Cow milk allergy, goat milk allergy, sheep milk allergy and even soy milk allergy is also seen in many people.
It is observed that even Infants have milk allergy. It is very hard to believe that such a small child having milk allergy. From studies it is believed that the allergies are genetically connected. There are very thin chances of having a milk allergy to an infant of his/her own mother. Infant milk allergy is quite dangerous. I said dangerous because it is very difficult for a parent what is happening to your baby, why is the baby crying so much. Because of the milk allergy, the baby becomes restless, doesn’t have enough sleep and most importantly couldn’t eat enough food because of the restlessness.
Doctors say, it is not that the baby is having allergy to milk, actually the baby is having allergy to proteins contained in the milk, and it can also be called as milk protein allergy.
For more understanding about milk and milk allergy: Milk is contained of proteins, there are two parts of milk who are the candidates of causing problems, namely casein and whey. From studies and observations it is seen and believed that most of the milk allergy related problems are gone by the age of 5. There are few cases in which they still continue with the milk allergy symptoms. It all depends upon your immune system how it adapts and becomes strong.
Milk allergy Casein
There are 3 casein proteins alpha, beta and kappa. From facts it is found that around 80% of milk contains casein. Casein is the part which forms curd when left for souring. This also shows high possibility of skin irritation and skin reaction. It is the milk skin allergy which causes skin problems because of the consumption of milk and milk products.
Milk allergy Whey
Whey is the highest potential allergens causing allergic reactions. Whey is the left over water from the curd. Whey contains two main allergens namely alpha-lactalbumin and beta- lactaglobulin.
Milk Allergy Symptoms
The infant having cow milk protein allergy will normally start showing symptoms in first few weeks time of his life, once starts consuming cow milk. Some cases are seen where the infant reacts to milk protein immediately and some children react to cow’s milk slowly. The case where the infant starts reacting to milk slowly is commonly seen.
- Anaphylactic shock is very rare but is possible cause of milk allergic reaction.
- Eye irritation like watery or itchy eyes is seen one of the symptoms of milk allergy.
- Gastrointestinal reactions like colitis, diarrhea, heartburn, vomiting, wind, nausea, constipation is another important milk allergy symptom.
- Rhinitis, sneezing and ear blocks or pain in ears are other symptoms of milk allergy.
- Irritation, loose motions (sometimes blood) gagging, skin rashes, refusing food are some of the symptoms of milk allergy in infants. Sometimes even asthma is also seen as one of the symptom of milk allergy in small children.
- Respiratory reactions like asthma, coughing, wheezing and other breathing problems are some of the symptoms seen against milk allergy. These are some of the symptoms of milk allergy seen both in children as well as adults.
- Skin reaction like shiners (also called black eyes) eczema, urticaria, angioedema are some of the milk skin allergy symptoms.
The cause of the milk allergic reaction is very difficult to find or trace out, because the symptoms occurring for milk allergy are similar for symptoms occurring for other allergies.
How to diagnose milk allergy?
There are several milk allergy tests available to diagnose milk allergy. Not necessarily all the tests are suggested to diagnose milk allergy.
- Blood test: CAP-RAST test. This test is not recommended and reliable for small children.
- Blood test: ELISA – Enzyme linked Immunsorbent Assay. This test identifies the IgE level of the antibodies produced or manufactured by the immune system. The immune system starts fighting against the foreign body present in the body. The blood sample is taken for every food group to find out, to which element your body is sensitive.
- Skin prick test: cow milk and casein is used for testing. This test is not recommended for small children.
- Challenge test: In this challenge is the person is told to stop the milk and other milk products from consuming and note the changes in the body. If all the allergic symptoms fed out then again start consuming milk and milk products. If again you come across such milk allergy symptoms then there is a possibility that you may be allergic to milk.
- Sometimes if the milk allergy intolerance grows high then your doctor may start giving some list of test to perform. From these test at least a specialist can diagnose the cause of allergic reaction. After diagnosing you can ask the certified dietitian for milk allergy diet. Milk allergy diet will consist of food items which will not contain milk, milk proteins or any other milk products what so ever.
- Diet elimination. The person having allergy from any particular food, then he or she can eliminate or stop eating that food. You should prepare a list of food items which suits your body. The list which contains suitable food products for your body is nothing but milk allergy diet.
- Symptoms diary: Noting what all things you had for breakfast, lunch, tea, dinner is the best practice to identify any food product not suitable for your body. Following this practice strictly will help you and your doctor to diagnose the allergen.
Milk Allergy Treatment
Best way to treat milk allergy is to avoid food containing milk or milk products. Check the labels before you consume any eatable. Check if the ingredients used in the food product lies in your Milk allergy diet list. If it matches then you can consume the food. Once the milk allergy diet list is prepared make sure to ask the dietitian, “Food mentioned in the list is nutritionally sound?”. Milk is a very important food supplement in our life. Milk provides lot of proteins and calcium, which is best for children. If milk is avoided then take some external supplement to overcome the nutritional short coming.
To name a few elements which are milk proteins or milk products or milk derivate products that should be avoided.
Caramel flavoring, casein, cheese, cream, curds, delactosed whey, demineralized whey, dried milk, dried milk solids, butter, artificial butter, butter solids, calcium, lactate, lactic acid, milk derivative, milk fat, milk protein, whey, whey powder, whey protein, yoghurt, zinc caseinate, skimmed milk, chocolate, cottage cheese, buttermilk, sour cream, milk puddings etc.
There are many medicines and over-the-counter treatments available which the doctor can give. Antihistamine is the best over the counter remedy for milk allergy. To find the treatments for symptoms mentioned below please follow the respective link:
Milk allergies symptoms
Asthma
Sneezing
Urticaria
Vomiting
Wheezing
Breathing problem
Colitis
Abdominal pain and swelling
Diarrhea
Angioedema
Conjunctivitis
Constipation
Coughing
Gastric upset
Heartburn
