1. Toss out the Milk and Eggs
Coping with a dairy allergy requires diligent monitoring of everything you eat. But one of the simplest things you can do to treat a dairy allergy is to completely avoid eating food items like cheese, milk and eggs. Removing these food items from your diet is one of the best ways to treat a dairy allergy.
Of course that seems easier said than done. Although dairy items are a component of many dishes, it is not impossible to avoid eating them and still have a lot of options when it comes to dining. In addition to the numerous traditional vegetable, meat and fruit dishes available, there are a lot of vegetarian meals that do not contain dairy items. Plus, you'll be surprised at the number of tasty vegan meals you can enjoy without the fear of encountering dairy products.
2. Pay Attention to Labels
When grocery shopping, be sure to pay attention to the labels of the food you put in your cart. Manufacturers are now required to label items to indicate whether it contains common allergens. Be on the lookout for these common warning signs that a product contains dairy products: "processed in a factory that also processes milk products," "contains milk ingredients" and "made with milk ingredients." You should also avoid food labels that read: curds, sodium caseinate, dried milk solids, whey, butter and casein, as they contain dairy products.
Also be aware that many processed meats like hot dogs and sausages contain milk as well. Be careful when purchasing products that say "milk free" because they could contain milk protein. Products that say "dairy-free" or "parve" do not contain milk protein.
If you are dining out, be sure to let your waiter know that you are allergic to all dairy products. Be sure to ask how your dish is prepared and request that the waiter verbally communicate your allergy to the chef. Many restaurants have menus which highlight meals that accommodate vegetarian, dairy and wheat allergy diets.
3. Be Prepared
Discuss with your doctor whether or not you should carry along a shot of injectable epinephrine. The medicine is a man-made version of the body's hormone and neurotransmitter also known as adrenaline. It is used to help calm allergic reactions by mimicking the body's natural "fight or flight" response, which raises oxygen and glucose levels in the brain and muscles. It also improves breathing and stops swelling in the lips and face of those undergoing an allergic reaction. Doctors typically prescribe epinephrine to those with dairy allergies as a way to treat an attack in emergency situations.
You should keep a number of shots readily available by keeping one at work, school, home, in the car, on your person and anywhere else you spend a lot of time. You can also help relieve a dairy allergy with over-the-counter antihistamines, but do not use them in the place of epinephrine.
Consider wearing a medical identification bracelet to communicate your allergy in the event that you cannot do so yourself.
