Guide to Milk Allergies

Milk allergies are caused by the reaction of the immune system to proteins in cow's milk. Milk allergy symptoms caused by these proteins vary and there are many different types of proteins in cow's milk that could cause these symptoms, such as casein and whey.

As Casein makes up 80% of milk it is the most important allergen. An allergen is the food that causes an allergy.

As casein is the curd that forms when milk is soured and made into cheese, cheeses often contain a high percentage of this allergen and must be avoided by people suffering from milk protein allergy. The allergy can start in young children but it is also possible that it surfaces in adults.

Who Is Susceptible To It?

Milk allergies are mostly experienced in infants as their digestive systems are often not yet prepared to digest milk and milk products. Two to three percent of all infants are to some degree allergic to milk and milk products but outgrow these allergies in later life.

Infant milk allergy causes discomfort for the child and all milk products should immediately be cut from its diet as soon as symptoms surface. However, adults can suffer from milk allergies too, and it is mostly adults who are sensitive to allergies already. People may already be suffering from a pollen allergy and could develop a milk allergy in later life.

Could Milk Allergy Lead To Other Allergic Diseases?

Milk consumption can cause a number of discomforts for both adults and children and some doctors even say that milk and dairy products are no good for the human digestive system at all. Some diseases that a milk allergy could possibly lead to are:

Asthma

As milk and dairy products produce a lot of mucus in the body when digested, the immune system and respiratory system in the body can have a hard time dealing with this type of food especially in people with food allergies. As in case of a (mild) protein allergy the digestive system will not deal with this type of food, the mucus is deposited on the inner wall of the intestines and respiratory tract, causing another allergic reaction in the body, being asthma.

Eczema

One of the symptoms of milk allergy is an oversensitive reaction of the skin to this type of food. Skin problems such as eczema or hives may occur after ingesting milk, pointing to a milk allergy. If you experience these symptoms it is necessary to consult a doctor.

Gastro-Intestinal Problems

A milk allergy might cause other reactions of the body such as vomiting and diarrhoea, both being responses of the immune system to the allergen. These symptoms will disappear within a few hours after ingesting the allergen but medical help should be sought.

Continue to: Symptoms of Milk Allergy

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