Symptoms and Cures for Milk Allergies

In order to understand the symptoms and cures for milk allergies it is important to first understand what it is, and isn’t. Those that are allergic to milk usually are at infancy, most grow out of it within the first few years. It is an immune system hypersensitivity to proteins in Cow’s milk. Lactose intolerance is not an allergy to milk, but the lack of the Lactase enzyme, so the digestive system doesn’t break down lactose in the digestive tract.

Those that have allergies to milk and any products containing milk proteins can have a reaction anywhere from a few minutes, to more than an hour after ingestion.

Immediate symptoms of milk allergies may include wheezing, vomiting, and hives.

Symptoms that take more time to develop may include loose stools that might contain blood, diarrhea, and abdominal cramping.

The person may also develop watery eyes, a runny nose, wheezing and/or coughing, colic in babies, and an itching rash, most often located around the mouth.

Very rarely, a life threatening condition called Anaphylaxis may also occur. This can constrict the air way and block breathing entirely. The symptoms of this severe allergic reaction are a swollen throat, itching, facial flushing, and shock.

No matter how mild the symptoms may be, you always need to take your child into the doctor to find out, as they are occurring if possible. Doing so will help the physician determine whether it is a milk allergy or not. If you or your child starts to exhibit signs of Anaphylaxix, seek emergency medical attention immediately.

Since even a very small quantity of milk can cause a reaction, the real only way to treat and cure a milk allergy is to completely avoid any kind of milk products. There is soymilk, hypoallergenic formulas, which have a modified form of milk protein, or formula that is totally free of milk. Be careful when using soymilk, because your child may also develop an allergic reaction to soy as well.

Let everybody that comes in contact with your child know that they have a milk allergy. Get a note from the doctor, as well as a medical alert bracelet. You should also carry any prescribed medications with you at all times, just in case. Other ways to make sure your child doesn’t ingest any milk proteins is to read all food labels carefully

Some ingredients to watch out for are Calcium caseinate, casein, Lactabumin, sodium caseinate, whey, and of course, Lactose.

Luckily, as earlier mentioned, your child will simply grow out of the allergy when they are no longer exposed to milk proteins. You have to always keep a close eye on your child when you can, so they don’t accidentally ingest milk and milk products. You can find out more information on milk allergies, what to expect, what to avoid, and how the allergy testing system works online. The internet is a wealth of information on this and many other subjects.