A milk allergy occurs when a person's body perceives cow's milk as a harmful substance and thus, reacts negatively. According to the Food Standards Agency (FSA), milk allergy is the most common allergy in infants and affects 2 to 7 percent of children under 1 year old. Though most children outgrow the allergy before the age of 3, a small percentage continues to carry the allergy into adulthood. Signs of a milk allergy may include colic (in babies), skin problems and digestive irregularities.
Colic
Colic, or vigorous crying that lasts for several hours or more each day, is a common sign of a milk allergy in babies. According to the Mayo Clinic, colic crying episodes generally occur at the same time each day. Most babies curl their legs or tighten their fists during such episodes and symptoms usually improve over the course of several months. If your child has a milk allergy that triggers colic, the crying fits may reduce once you remove milk from her diet. If an infant is breast feeding, the mother may need to restrict cow's milk from her diet so as not to pass the allergens to her child. The FSA suggests that formulas based on goat's milk are not a suitable alternative to cow's milk, because of similarities to cow's milk. If your infant has a milk allergy, discuss suitable alternatives with your doctor or dietitian for best results.
Skin Problems
Skin problems, such as hives (red, bumpy rash) and atopic dermatitis (a dry, flaky skin rash) often result because of milk allergy symptoms. According to the Mayo Clinic, these symptoms may occur immediately after ingesting milk. Effective treatment for a milk allergy involves complete avoidance of milk and milk-containing foods. Many foods and beverages are obvious sources of milk, such as milk, ice cream, cheese and yogurt, while others prove harder to detect. Foods that contain milk-derived ingredients, such as whey (milk-derived protein), casein (a substance that comes from curdled portions of milk) and lactose (naturally-occurring milk sugar) must also be avoided. For best results, keep a list of milk-derived foods and ingredients in your purse or wallet for ease of use when grocery shopping or dining out. If you consume milk mistakenly, seek immediate medication attention.
Digestive Irregularities
Digestive irregularities, such as stomach aches, diarrhea, nausea and vomiting are additional symptoms of a milk allergy. According to the Mayo Clinic, vomiting may occur promptly after consuming milk while diarrhea or loose stools (sometimes bloody) may take additional time. If diarrhea or vomiting persist, dehydration may occur. Replenish your fluids by drinking plenty of water if you experience these symptoms, in addition to discussing your reaction with your doctor.
If you experience a severe allergic reaction to milk, such as difficulty breathing, facial flushing, drops in blood sugar or shock, emergency medical attention should be sought promptly. These symptoms may indicate a rare, potentially life-threatening condition known as anaphylactic shock.
