According to the "Journal of the American College of Nutrition," consuming milk products does not lead to chest congestion. If you experience chest congestion after consuming dairy, you may be experiencing an allergic reaction. Chest congestion from a dairy allergy is related to the constriction of the airways that prevents mucus from draining properly. You may experience shortness of breath, difficulty breathing and wheezing.
About
Milk is composed of two primary proteins: whey and casein. You may be allergic to one or both of these proteins. If you're allergic to dairy products, your immune system doesn't identify these proteins as safe. The body quickly builds a resistance against the proteins with antibodies and histamines, according to Teens Health. Histamine is a naturally occurring chemical in the body that protects it from infection. Higher levels of the chemical can cause inflammation in soft tissue.
Symptoms
If you experience chest congestion after consuming milk because of a milk allergy, you will develop common milk-allergy-related symptoms. Coughing, wheezing and the constriction of your airways will develop within a few minutes or up to an hour after consuming milk, according to MayoClinic.com. You may also develop gastrointestinal complications, skin rashes, hives and nasal congestion. Report any adverse reactions to milk immediately to your doctor.
Testing
Your doctor may recommend allergy testing to determine if the congestion in your chest is the result of an allergy. Allergy tests are performed by an allergist using two basic methods: skin test and blood test. The skin test uses a small amount of the milk proteins that are injected under the skin to observe if the skin develops inflammation. For the blood test, milk proteins are introduced into a sample of your blood to see if it develops IgE antibodies, according to the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology.
Treatment
Chest congestion from a milk allergy may be treated with some common prescribed asthma inhalers. Your doctor will determine which drug and dose should be used. MayoClinic.com states that minor allergic reactions may respond to an over-the-counter antihistamine. Skin rashes can be treated with hydrocortisone or prescribed corticosteroid lotions.
Warning
Teens Health warns that some people have a severe allergic reaction to milk. One of the first signs of a severe allergic reaction, or anaphylaxis, is the swelling of the throat, airways and lungs. If you develop the inability to breathe, along with a sudden drop in blood pressure, dizziness or lightheadedness, call 911 immediately.
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