According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, dairy products are one of the leading causes of allergic reactions in children. There is no cure for dairy allergies, so parents of affected children must be armed with the knowledge of how to avoid dairy in all of its forms.
Significance
According to the experts at the Allergic Child website, 2 to 3 percent of children under the age of three years are allergic to the protein in cow's milk.
Causes
Dairy allergies are caused by a reaction to either lactose or casein. Many children begin to develop symptoms when given formula, cow's milk or cheese.
Symptoms
The most common symptoms of an allergic reaction are diarrhea, skin rashes or hives, vomiting, facial swelling, constipation, and in extreme cases, anaphylactic shock. These reactions usually occur immediately after consuming a food containing dairy, but they can happen hours or even days later.
Related Conditions
Lactose intolerance is often confused with an allergy. However, intolerance occurs when there is not enough lactase enzyme produced to break down lactose sugar. An allergy is a reaction of the immune system.
Treatment
The only reliable way to eliminate a possible reaction is to strictly avoid all products containing lactose and casein. This includes some pasta, cookies, crackers, bread and medications.
