Milk is a common cause of allergies in children, causing symptoms that range from mild itchy rash to severe diarrhea, vomiting, asthma and anaphylaxis, notes MayoClinic.com. Milk has two major allergy-causing proteins: casein, found in the curd that is used to make creams and butter; and whey, found in the liquid part. Recognizing which products contain milk, and how milk appears on the labels of products, will help a milk-allergic person from accidentally ingesting milk proteins.
Milk Ingredients
Knowing the common terms for milk ingredients on a product label can help someone with milk allergy avoid such products. Terms that indicate the presence of milk include whey, dried milk solids, casein or caseinate, and words with "lacta" or "lacto," notes Harvard Medical School. Different preparations of milk -- condensed, evaporated, dry, nonfat, skim -- do not remove the allergy-causing milk proteins, and must still be avoided. On the other hand, hydrolyzed infant milk formula consists of broken-down milk proteins undetectable by the immune system, and can be consumed by infants allergic to milk protein.
Dairy Products
Obvious sources of milk proteins to avoid include all dairy products, such as cheese, ice cream, curds, cream, custard, sour cream, half and half, ghee, custard, pudding, nougat, rennet casein and yogurt. Butter, buttermilk, and artificial butter flavor are also ingredients that someone with milk allergy should avoid, according to Children's Hospital in Boston. Lactaid, for lactose-intolerant individuals, still contains milk proteins that can cause allergic reactions in a person with milk allergy.
Foods Made With Milk
Most baked goods such as cakes, breads, cookies and chocolate are made with milk. Flavorings such as caramel, Bavarian cream and coconut cream may also indicate the presence of milk. Creamy soups and sauces, white sauces, instant cocoa, breakfast cereals, pancakes and mixes may also contain milk or milk products, notes Harvard Medical School. It is also possible for milk-free food to be processed in the same facility with food containing milk, so someone with milk allergy must take precautions, or completely avoid, consuming such foods.
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