Cow’s milk allergy is the most common food allergy in babies and young children. It’s also one of the most common food allergies in adults.
People with an allergy to cow’s milk may also be allergic to milk from other animals, for example sheep or goat’s milk. Non-dairy alternatives, such as soy milk can cause allergies too. But this is less common. In this article we’ll focus on dairy milk allergy, what symptoms to look out for and how it can be treated.
Milk allergy and lactose intolerance are not the same thing. People with a milk allergy experience symptoms because their immune system mistakes milk proteins for a threat. To defend itself the body produces Immunoglobulin E (IgE) antibodies that activate whenever they encounter milk.
People with lactose intolerance aren’t able to fully digest the sugar in milk (lactose) because they lack lactase. This is an enzyme produced by cells in the lining of the small intestine. You need lactase to digest lactose.
It’s possible to mistake one condition for the other because they share similar digestive symptoms, including diarrhea. An allergist can help you to identify if you have either.
The symptoms of milk allergy you experience depend on the type of allergy you have. Milk allergies fall into two groups IgE and non-IgE. In this article we focus more on the IgE type.
What are the different
types of allergies?
Immediate symptoms of milk allergy tend to be IgE mediated and can include:
Symptoms that are non-IgE mediated typically take longer to develop and include:
If your milk allergy is caused by IgE antibodies, it may cause a severe allergic reaction called anaphylaxis. Symptoms of anaphylaxis can be similar to immediate symptoms of milk allergy. Because anaphylaxis is a medical emergency it requires urgent medical treatment.
Signs and symptoms of anaphylaxis include:
Occasionally people experience these symptoms if they exercise after consuming milk products or other foods they’re allergic to. This is called food dependent exercise related anaphylaxis.
Could you have
another food allergy?
Epinephrine is the main medication used to counteract anaphylaxis. It’s another name for the hormone adrenaline. Your healthcare provider will prescribe it in the form of an auto-injector if they think you’re at risk of a severe allergic reaction.
It’s important to carry two auto-injectors with you everywhere in case a single dose is not enough. Also, show family and friends how it works so they know what to do in the event of an emergency. After using an auto-injector you should go to hospital in case of a delayed secondary reaction.
Wearing an allergy necklace or bracelet is also a good idea, as it lets people know how to help you in an emergency.
The most effective way to prevent allergic reactions is to avoid milk and milk proteins. So it’s important to read food labels very carefully. Helpfully, there are also apps that can scan barcodes and read the ingredients for you.
The two main proteins that cause cow’s milk allergy are casein and whey. These proteins can be hard to avoid because they’re used in processed foods. You may also need to familiarize yourself with other terms used to describe milk-containing ingredients.
Follow these tips to reduce your risk of exposure to milk:
Speak to your healthcare provider if you’re concerned. They will ask about your symptoms and family history. It can help to keep a food diary to log your symptoms.
Your healthcare provider may want to perform a skin prick test or blood test to confirm a diagnosis. The first involves putting a small amount of the proteins found in milk on your arm, carefully pricking the skin underneath it and waiting for a reaction. If the results are inconclusive they may take a blood sample to look for IgE antibodies.
Milk allergy can either be IgE or non-IgE related. IgE reactions typically happen immediately while non-IgE reactions can take up to 48 hours to develop. Both involve the immune system. Non-IgE food allergies are harder to diagnose because they won’t show up in blood test results.
Your healthcare provider may suggest an oral food challenge. This involves drinking increasing amounts of milk while being monitored for a reaction. Depending on your medical history, they may want to carry out an internal examination with a camera. This is called an endoscopy.
Don’t change your diet without talking to your healthcare provider first. Treatment plans normally include a combination of avoiding milk and treating symptoms when this hasn’t been possible.
Did you know around 80% of children are likely to outgrow milk allergy before they turn 16.
Antihistamine is a common treatment for mild allergic symptoms. It helps to block the effects of histamine, which your body releases when it feels under attack. Your pharmacist can tell you about the different types available without a prescription.
Around 80% of children are likely to outgrow a milk allergy before they turn 16 years old. Symptoms are most likely to persist in children who have high levels of cow’s milk antibodies in their blood. Blood tests that measure these antibodies can help your allergist to determine if a child is likely to outgrow a milk allergy or not.
Young children who are allergic to fresh milk but can tolerate baked milk may outgrow a milk allergy sooner than those who react to baked milk. Consuming baked milk could build up tolerance or lead to allergy resolution over time. Speak to your healthcare provider before trying this.