A health condition in which the immune system overreacts to milk proteins is called milk allergy. The most common symptoms of this condition include problems with the stomach, itching, rash, and tingling around the mouth. In more severe cases, it may lead to anaphylaxis. Most of the time, doctors diagnose this condition through testing and treatment include medicines and avoiding products that contain milk.
Furthermore, this condition is one of the most common types of food allergy. It often happens when you ingest milk (whether eaten or drunk), and it triggers an overreaction of the immune system. Most people develop a milk allergy due to cow’s milk. In any case, any type of milk (including goat’s milk and sheep’s milk) may cause this type of allergy. In addition, there are other reactions to foods, including milk protein intolerance in infants and lactose intolerance in older children and adults.
In it important to note that this type of allergy can be deadly, especially if you develop severe symptoms (such as dyspnea).
This type of allergy occurs relatively commonly, and it affects about 2% of all children in the U.S.
How Does a Milk Allergy Affect My Body?
In some people, when products that contain milk enter the body, cause and allergic reaction. In other words, this is a body response to an allergen. In this case, the immune system overreacts to milk by producing immunoglobulin E (IgE). Generally, the body produces several types of IgE that target different allergens. Normally, IgE antibodies bind mast cells (also known as allergy cells) that are found in your skin, respiratory tract (airways), and cardiovascular system. Therefore, they release a substance called histamine, which often causes allergy symptoms.
In most cases, IgE reactions happen quickly after ingesting milk, which may lead to a severe allergic reaction called anaphylaxis. It is a medical emergency that requires immediate treatment. Otherwise, it may lead to death. Furthermore, other reactions to milk are not caused by an allergy antibody. It often takes up to 48 hours to develop.
In addition, one of the most common triggers for a non-IgE reaction in babies is milk. However, most non-IgE food allergies (including milk) are not life-threatening.
Symptoms
When a person has a milk allergy, the symptoms often appear within a few minutes after ingesting milk or products that contain it. Moreover, the symptoms of this type of allergy vary in severity and range from mild to severe. Check some mild symptoms below:
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Hives
- Abdominal (belly) pain
- Rash
- Itching
- Tingling or swelling of your lips, tongue, or throat
In more severe cases, when anaphylaxis occurs, the following symptoms may also appear. Check some examples below:
- Shortness of breath (dyspnea)
- Chest tightness
- Dysphagia (difficulty swallowing)
- Rash (contact dermatitis)
- Wheezing
- Dizziness
- Hypotension (low blood pressure)
- Syncope (loss of consciousness)
Immediately call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room (ER) if any of the anaphylaxis symptoms occur. Otherwise, this condition can be fatal.
Causes and Risk Factors
This type of food allergy occurs when the immune system overreacts to proteins in milk. There are 2 primary types of protein in milk. For example:
- Casein – This is a byproduct of milk that appears when it spoils and turns solid (curdles). It can also be found in cheese and yogurt. Moreover, casein accounts for about 80% of the protein in milk, and it gives milk its white color.
- Whey – This protein is also a byproduct of the liquid part of milk when it curdles. It accounts for approximately 20% of the protein in milk.
People can be allergic to one or both types of protein. In addition, this type of food allergy is not contagious, which means it cannot spread from one person to another.
Doctors have also identified some factors that could elevate your risk of developing milk allergy. These include:
- A family history of allergy – If you have a parent or sibling with allergies (including hay fever, hives, and others), asthma, or eczema, your risk of developing milk allergy significantly increases.
- Eczema (atopic dermatitis) – Children with eczema (especially before 6 months of age) are more prone to milk allergy.
- Other allergies – If you already have an allergy, it also increases the risk of milk allergy.
- Age – This condition occurs more commonly in infants and young children because their immune system is still developing.
- Sex – According to some research, milk allergy affects boys more commonly than girls.
- Environmental factors
How to Prevent Milk Allergy?
One of the best ways to prevent this type of food allergy is to avoid milk and products that contain it. For that, you should check the ingredient labels on all packaged foods. However, it is not possible to prevent yourself form developing am ilk intolerance or a non-IgE-mediated milk allergy.
Diagnosis
If your physician suspects a milk allergy, he/she may refer you to an allergist for further testing. Usually, the diagnosis begins with a physical examination to check for abnormalities linked to the disease. They may also ask some questions about your symptoms and medical history to gather more information about your condition. Check below some tests often used to diagnose milk allergy:
Blood Tests
During this test, doctors will use a needle to take a sample of blood from a vein in the arm for testing. Doctors will add milk proteins to your blood sample to measure the levels of IgE antibodies in it. Usually, it takes a week to get the results.
Skin Prick Test
This test is used in multiple types of allergies to confirm or rule them out. The allergists will clean the area of the skin with iodine or alcohol and then will use a thin needle to prick the skin with a small amount of liquid that contains milk proteins. Most of the time, this test takes less than an hour, and you will get the results within 15 minutes.
However, there are other methods for skin testing. For instance, an allergist may place a droplet of liquid milk proteins on the skin and then scratch the skin lightly to see if there is a reaction. Usually, during a skin prick test, people feel mild discomfort.
Graded Oral Challenge
This test is often used to diagnose a food allergy, and sometimes it is called a food challenge. It is often used when your history of food allergies and testing do not match. During this test, you will ingest a small amount of milk to see whether you develop a reaction or not. Doctors may also recommend gradually ingesting more milk to see how your body reacts. Furthermore, this test may last up to 4 hours.
Treatment
The only way to prevent this type of food allergy is to avoid products that contain milk and milk itself. Moreover, the FDA (Food and Drug Administration) requires all food manufacturers to list all common food allergens on food labels clearly. It is also necessary to make sure the products do not contain milk or share processing facilities with milk products. For example, labels that say “Made in a facility that processes milk” or “Manufactured on equipment shared with milk”. While most children outgrow milk allergy, some people may need treatments, such as oral immunotherapy (OIT). Additionally, doctors may recommend carrying an Epinephrine auto-injector that helps quickly relieve the symptoms of anaphylaxis. Check some adverse reactions of Epinephrine injections below:
- Dry mouth
- Dizziness
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Extreme tiredness (fatigue)
- Weakness
- Headaches
- Anxiety
Frequently Asked Questions
What foods and drinks should I avoid if I have a milk allergy?
These include:
- All forms of milk, including condensed, dry, evaporated, and powdered milk
- Milk from other mammals (such as goats or sheep)
- Buttermilk
- Cheese
- Cottage cheese and curds
- Ghee
- Sour cream
- Custard, pudding, and yogurt
- Butter (including butter fat, butter oil, and artificial butter flavor)
How can I get vitamins and nutrients if I do not drink milk?
For a lot of people, milk and milk products are important sources of vitamins and nutrients (including vitamin D and Calcium). In any case, it is recommended to eat other foods if you have a milk allergy. These foods should be rich in the vitamins and nutrients present in milk. For example, spinach, broccoli, and others.
When should I go to the ER?
Immediately go to the nearest emergency room (ER) or call 911 if you experience symptoms that resemble anaphylaxis. Without immediate treatment, this severe allergic reaction can be fatal. Ask your healthcare provider if you have any other questions.
