A milk or dairy allergy is an abnormal reaction by the body to the proteins in cow's milk, and often to the milk of other animals as well. Milk allergy may cause more severe symptoms than lactose intolerance, the inability to digest the milk sugar lactose. Milk allergies are most common in babies and young children, according to the University of Virginia Health System (UVHS), while lactose intolerance is more common in adults. People with a dairy allergy need to avoid all foods and beverages that contain milk or milk products.
Dairy Allergy Facts
Although most common in youngsters, a milk allergy can appear at any age and can be linked to foods that previously did not cause any problems. Babies and children with a dairy allergy often lose the allergy over time. The proteins in the milk of goats and sheep are similar to those in cow's milk, so people with this allergy commonly are allergic to these as well. They also may experience an allergic reaction to beef or soy.
Symptoms
Immediate symptoms of a milk allergy, states the Mayo Clinic, may include hives, wheezing or vomiting after consumption of milk products. Other signs may take longer to occur. They include diarrhea, abdominal cramping, coughing, runny nose, watery eyes and an itchy skin rash, which commonly develops around the mouth. Babies may develop colic due to a milk allergy. Rarely, milk allergy can cause anaphylaxis, a life-threatening reaction that constricts the airways and blocks breathing.
Dairy Products
A dairy allergy diet eliminates milk and all other foods and beverages containing milk or milk products. More obvious foods to avoid include cream, half and half, all types of cheese and anything containing cheese, sour cream, butter, ice cream and ice milk, yogurt and frozen yogurt, buttermilk, eggnog, milkshakes and malts.
Ingredients
Many foods contain milk and milk products, so if you or your child needs to avoid dairy products, you must read labels when buying packaged food. Ingredients to look for, as listed by UVHS, include casein, caseinates, ghee, hydrolysates, lactalbumin, lactoglobulin, lactose, nougat, whey and anything with the word milk, such as milk solids. Even artificial butter flavor or artificial cheese flavor may contain dairy products.
Eating Out
Eating out at restaurants or at other people's homes can be difficult for people with a dairy allergy. It's best to eat fresh meat, vegetables and fruit and avoid mixes of foods such as casseroles, stews, fruit salads and pasta salads. These may contain sauces or salad dressings that include milk products. You'll need to make sure your food isn't cooked in butter or ghee, and that any breading was not made with milk. Many breads and crackers are baked with milk, as are muffins, pancakes and waffles. Scrambled eggs may be made with milk, and many potato dishes are as well. Processed meats such as hot dogs and lunch meats may contain milk.
