Do I Have Milk Allergy?

By Maja Maartens

Cow's milk is the most widespread allergy-causing foods in children, and it's the top grounds of allergic reactions in especially young infants.

Milk allergy concerns roughly speaking 2 percent to 3 percent of tots worldwide, and its symptoms and signs may be severe enough to cause distress not simply for an allergic kid, but also for the child's parents. However the fine news is that the largest part of children outgrow a milk allergy by the age 2 or 3.

Allergic reactions usually show a few minutes to a few hours after you eat/drink milk " but in some cases it can be days before symptoms and sign occur. Signs and symptoms stretch from soft to harsh and might include wheezing, vomiting, hives and digestive problems. Rarely, milk allergy can cause anaphylaxis - a severe, life-threatening reaction.

Milk Allergy Symptoms

Three types of milk correlated allergy symptoms have been accepted:

1. Symptoms set off quickly following eating/drinking cow's milk. Reactions mostly affect the skin, triggering hives and/or eczema.

2. Symptoms start several hours after ingesting cow's milk. Symptoms of this type are mainly diarrhea and vomiting.

3. Symptoms commence more than twenty hours after eating/drinking. The major symptom for this type is diarrhea.

Symptoms of milk allergy can affect the skin, causing rashes or hives; the digestive tract, causing bloating and diarrhea, and the respiratory system, causing runny nose and asthma.

Here is a more whole list of symptoms:

* vomiting

* hyperactive behavior

* diarrhea

* asthma

* hives

* runny nose

* rashes

* stuffy nose

* ear infections

* bloating

* watery eyes

* eczema

* allergic shiners (black around the eyes)

* recurrent bronchitis

* failure to thrive

The above symptoms are not restricted to people experiencing milk allergy. As you become familiar with food allergy symptoms, you probably become aware of that numerous foods share a variety of regular symptoms, such as: bloating, rash, and runny nose.

What is the Difference of Milk allergy and Milk Intolerance?

It is essential to tell apart 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 need different treatment than does a true milk allergy. Ordinary signs and symptoms of milk protein intolerance or lactose intolerance include digestive problems, such as bloating, gas or diarrhea, after consuming milk.

Milk Allergy Prevention and Cure

The only way to prevent an allergic reaction is to avoid milk and milk proteins altogether. This can be complicated, as milk is a familiar food ingredient. Despite your best efforts, you or your child may still come into contact with milk.

Medications, such as antihistamines, may reduce signs and symptoms of a milk allergy. These drugs can be taken after exposure to milk to control an allergic reaction and help relieve discomfort. If you or your child has a serious allergic reaction (anaphylaxis), you may need an emergency injection of epinephrine (adrenaline) and a trip to the emergency room.

If you're at risk of having a life-threatening reaction, you or your child may need to carry injectable epinephrine (such as an EpiPen) at all times. - 17273

About the Author:

Maja Maartens is extremely experienced with milk allergy on a personal level and she has written many in dept articles on the subject. For an exhaustive and meticulous explaination on milk allergy symptoms and how to live without milk and gluten visit her website.