Sinus Pressure After Drinking Milk

Sinus pressure after drinking milk may be a symptom of a milk allergy. Sinus pressure is the result of irritation and inflammation in the sinus cavity. Swelling cuts off your ability to drain mucus and makes it difficult to breathe through the nose, according to MedlinePlus. During an allergic reaction, mast cells in the sinuses produce high levels of histamine, an irritating chemical that causes the sinuses to swell.

Milk Allergy

A milk allergy is mostly found in young children under the age of 3 years, according to MayoClinic.com, but can affect anyone at any age. A milk allergy is a malfunction of the immune system where it mistakes the proteins in the milk for a harmful substance. The body begins to defend itself by creating specific antibodies that targets and attacks the proteins. The presence of the antibodies causes mast cells to produce histamine, which leads to inflammation in various parts of the body, such as the sinuses.

Sinus Pressure

Sinus pressure from a milk allergy will develop within a few minutes after drinking milk. Sinus pressure is the result of swollen nasal cavities pressing on the entire facial structure. The University of Maryland states that sinus pressure pain is commonly felt behind the eyes, in the forehead, in the top teeth, the inner ear and behind the cheeks. Sinus pressure pain is commonly mistaken for a migraine because both types of headaches present as a dull, throbbing pain in the center of the head.

Other Symptoms

If your sinus pressure is the result of a milk allergy, you will experience other food-related allergy symptoms such as shortness of breath, wheezing, coughing, diarrhea, vomiting, cramping, hives, eczema, skin rashes, eye irritation and tingling in the mouth, lips or tongue.

Treatment

If you have been diagnosed with a milk allergy, avoid consuming dairy products. Sinus pressure is treated by taking a decongestant and an antihistamine. Decongestants restrict increased blood flow into the sinuses, which reduces inflammation and swelling. Antihistamines block the mast cells in the sinuses from producing histamine. Pain relievers may be used to treat the head pain.

Warning

If you experience a severe allergic reaction from drinking milk, call 911 immediately. A severe reaction can be life threatening. Anaphylactic symptoms include swelling in the throat, a drop in blood pressure, anxiety and hives, according to MayoClinic.com.