Dairy products do not cause sinus infections, but if you're allergic to milk, you may experience increased mucus production and inflammation in your sinus cavity. If you suspect that you have a sinus infection, call your doctor because an examination of your nose can determine the cause of your symptoms. Sinus infections are mostly the result of nasal obstructions, airborne allergens and the common cold, according to PubMed Health. If you notice that eating dairy products constantly causes mucus production and sinus pressure, make an appointment with an allergist.
Milk Allergy
During a milk allergy, the tissues that make up your sinus cavity can become inflamed because of chemical reactions in your body. A milk allergy is an overreaction of the immune system to the proteins in milk. The body fights against the milk proteins with various chemicals that trigger inflammation in soft tissue from dilated blood vessels. The dilated blood vessels also cause the production of mucus. The combination of nasal inflammation and increased mucus production can cause a sinus infection, if you ingest dairy products consistently.
Sinus Infection
If you continue to consume dairy products with a milk allergy, your swollen sinuses become a perfect environment for bacteria to grow. The presence of bacteria in the trapped, warm mucus can cause infection to develop. Sinus infection symptoms include thick mucus that is bright yellow or green in color, sinus headaches, sinus pressure and facial tenderness as well as pain in your forehead, eyes and cheekbones. Most sinus infections cause a low-grade fever with body chills, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center.
Treatment
Treatment for a sinus infection includes antibiotic treatment, the use of nasal washes, increased liquid intake and rest. Remove all other food allergens or irritants from your diet and avoid airborne allergens, such as dust, pollen and mold. If your symptoms do not improve or you develop a temperature over 100.5 degrees F, call your doctor.
Prevention
Preventing sinus infections from milk involves avoiding all dairy products. Instead of using milk-based products, purchase dairy alternatives, such as soy milk, almond milk or rice milk. Other dairy alternatives include cheese, coffee creamers and ice cream products that are made from grains, not milk. Avoid products that contain casein, whey, lactose or dry milk. Most nondairy creamers still contain milk proteins and should not be used if you have a milk allergy. If you choose to consume dairy, you increase your chances of a severe allergic reaction.
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