It's common for milk protein to trigger allergies in some people. Symptoms often appear within minutes to hours of consuming milk and may include hives, wheezing, vomiting, itchy skin rash and watery eyes and nose. More severe reactions that require immediate medical attention include diarrhea, difficulty breathing, swelling all over the body and shock. The best way to prevent symptoms from occurring is to avoid the food that can trigger them.
Dairy Foods
All dairy products contain milk proteins and thus have to be avoided if you have milk allergy. These include skim milk, low-fat milk, buttermilk, cheese, cottage cheese, margarine, ice cream, condensed milk, whipped cream, half and half, yogurt, sour cream and gelato. Custard, pudding and nougat, caramel, Simplesse and Lactaid also contain milk ingredients and will cause reactions in people with milk allergy.
Hidden Ingredients
Cow's milk has two proteins that cause the allergic reactions: casein and whey. Some product labels may not explicitly list milk as an ingredient but may contain either whey or casein. You may also find these ingredients on labels as dried milk solids or powders, casein or caseinate, curds and words containing "lacta" or "lacto," notes Harvard Medical School. Protein powders used as muscle-building supplements may also contain whey or casein. Choose soy, rice or plant-based protein powders instead if you have milk allergy.
Baked Goods
If you have milk allergy, pay attention to the presence of milk ingredients in commercial baked goods such as cake, bread and cookies. Other prepared products that may contain milk include baking mixes, chocolate, breakfast cereals, pancakes, instant cocoa, creamy sauces and soups. Read labels when shopping to make sure the product does not contain milk.
Infant Formula
Most infant formulas are made from milk and will trigger allergic reactions if your baby has milk allergy. Experts recommend replacing cow's milk infant formula with hydrolyzed infant formula, which contain milk proteins broken down into simpler molecules, notes MayoClinic.com. Consider using soy-based infant formula if your child does not react to soy. Breastfeeding is also another alternative, but the mother has to avoid consuming milk products to prevent proteins from crossing into her breast milk.
Contaminants
Many commercial products do not contain milk proteins but may have been made in a facility that also manufactures milk products or may contain traces of milk. Consuming these milk-contaminated products may also trigger allergic reactions if you have severe milk allergy. Read product labels to prevent accidental exposure to milk. Restaurants are another source of accidental contamination of milk. Inform your server about your food allergy and request to have your food especially-prepared.
Animals and Soy Milk
Cow's milk is the most common source of milk but milk protein from other mammals like goat, horse, sheep and buffalo can also cause milk allergy, according to MayoClinic.com. Moreover, some people with milk allergy also react to soy. Ask your doctor for allergy tests to determine if you are allergic to soy.
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