Dr Zaid Teebi

 

Milk allergy is an abnormal response by the body's immune system to milk and products containing milk. Cow's milk is the usual cause of milk allergy, but milk from sheep and goats also can cause a reaction. Some children who are allergic to cow's milk are allergic to soy milk, too. Milk allergy is one of the most common food allergies in children.

A milk allergy usually occurs minutes to hours after consuming milk. Signs and symptoms of milk allergy range from mild to severe and can include wheezing, vomiting, hives and digestive problems. Rarely, milk allergy can cause anaphylaxis - a severe, life-threatening reaction.

Avoidance is the primary treatment for milk allergy. Fortunately, most children outgrow a milk allergy by age 3.

Milk allergy symptoms, which differ from person to person, occur a few minutes to a few hours after drinking milk or eating milk products.

(a). Immediately after consuming milk, signs and symptoms of a milk allergy might include:

Hives

Wheezing

Vomiting

 

(b). Signs and symptoms that may take more time to develop include:

Loose stools, which may contain blood

Diarrhoea

Abdominal cramps

Coughing or wheezing

Runny nose

Watery eyes

Itchy skin rash, often around the mouth

Colic, in babies

 

Milk allergy or milk intolerance?

It's important to differentiate a true milk allergy from milk protein intolerance or lactose intolerance. Unlike a milk allergy, intolerance doesn't involve the immune system. Milk intolerance causes different symptoms and requires different treatment from a true milk allergy. Common signs and symptoms of milk protein or lactose intolerance include digestive problems, such as bloating, gas or diarrhea, after consuming milk or products containing milk. A blood test can be taken to detect milk allergy.

 

Dr Teebi is a specialist in allergies

Email: [email protected]