Diary Allergy
Dairy allergy is a type of food allergy that involves the overreaction of the immune system to cow's milk. There are three protein components in cow's milk which cause dietary reactions: casein, lactose and whey. Casein and whey are more likely to cause dairy allergy, while lactose is known for causing lactose-intolerance due to the body's lack of lactase enzyme.
People with dairy allergy might want to consider other animal's milk such as goat or sheep's milk. But these animals are also ruminants or grass-eaters, and there is always a possibility that the same allergen found in cow's milk may also be present in goat or sheep's milk. If you want to try these cow's milk substitutes, make sure to talk to your allergologist.
As for infants, it is dangerous for them to be exposed to adults who have symptoms of dairy allergy. If you have small children and you're suffering from dairy allergy, make sure to have yourself treated and keep away from the children as much as possible.
Symptoms
- Skin surface:
- itchy red rash
- eczema
- hives
- swelling of lips, mouth, tongue, throat or face
- 'black eyes'
- Digestive system:
- nausea
- diarrhea
- vomiting
- bloating
- abdominal cramps
- Respiratory system:
- sneezing
- runny nose
- watery/itchy eyes
- nasal congestion
- shortness of breath
- coughing
- wheezing
- anaphylactic shock [in severe cases]
- Other possible reactions and symptoms:
- glazed look in the eyes
- reddish to swollen earlobes
- bed-wetting
- inattentiveness
- lethargy
Prevention
Dairy allergy is quite common in infants simply because they consume milk on a daily basis and if they belong to parents with atopic families [or families with hereditary allergies]. If it is possible, pregnant women should consult with their doctor regarding their condition to help plan the diet of their unborn child.
For adults who are suffering from dairy allergy, it is essential to avoid the foods that are made with milk. Cheeses, butter, yogurt, ice cream, sweets and baked goodies may contain dairy and they should be avoided to prevent dairy allergy attacks.
Medications may be available, but it is also imperative to avoid such foods to reduce the possibility of dairy allergy attacks. Consult with your doctor regarding the proper treatment and dietary plan to ensure that the needed nutrition from milk and dairy are met even without the dairy itself.
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