Milk allergy reactions may cause immediate symptoms within minutes or delayed symptoms up to 2-3 hours after consuming milk products. Severity of symptoms can vary, from mild to life-threatening. Common symptoms of milk allergy include:
- Itching
- Hives
- Tingling or swelling of the lips, tongue, or throat
- Chest tightness, shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
- Wheezing
- Abdominal pain
- Nausea, vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Dizziness and fainting
- Drop in blood pressure and loss of consciousness
What is a milk allergy?
Milk allergy, or dairy allergy, is one the most common food allergies that affect both children and adults. While more commonly seen within the first year of a baby’s life, milk allergy can occur at any age. Adults can develop an allergy to dairy products even if they used to be able to consume milk in the past without any issues.
Although milk allergy is often confused with lactose intolerance, they are not the same. Lactose intolerance is the inability to digest lactose, a sugar found in many dairy products. Milk allergy is an immune response to proteins in milk, casein and whey.
What ingredients can cause milk allergy symptoms?
People with milk allergies should avoid the following ingredients or foods:
- Milk (all forms, including condensed, dry, evaporated and powdered milk)
- Butter (including butterfat, butter oil, clarified butter, and artificial butter flavor)
- Buttermilk
- Cheese and cream cheese
- Cottage cheese and curds
- Cream, half and half, and ice cream
- Sour cream, sour milk
- Cottage cheese and curds
- Custard, pudding, and yogurt
- Casein and casein hydrolysates
- Caseinates (such as sodium caseinate)
- Whey
- Lactalbumin, lactalbumin phosphate, lactoglobulin, lactoferrin, and lactulose
How is milk allergy diagnosed?
A diagnosis of milk allergy is made by reviewing symptoms and going through a process of elimination to rule out other medical conditions. Tests may include:
- Stool test
- Blood tests
- Allergy tests, including skin prick or patch tests
- Food challenge test
How is milk allergy treated?
The best way to manage all types of milk allergies and milk sensitivities is to avoid consuming dairy products. While there is no definitive treatment for milk allergy, some of the following measures may be taken to limit reactions:
- Infants who develop milk allergies way before starting on solid foods may be prescribed hypoallergenic infant formula.
- For a life-threatening allergic reaction, treatment includes administering injectable epinephrine, oral or injectable antihistamines, or oral or injectable corticosteroids.
- Treatment of food protein-induced enterocolitis syndrome (FPIES) includes administering intravenous hydration and intravenous corticosteroids.
SLIDESHOW
Common Allergies: Symptoms and Signs See SlideshowSicherer SH. Food Allergies. Medscape. https://emedicine.medscape.com/article/135959-overview
Top What Are the Symptoms of a Milk Allergy in Adults Related Articles
Are Food Allergies Passed Down Genetically?
A food allergy is a condition that causes your immune system to fight against a particular part of food — which is called an allergen. Food allergies can be hereditary — that is, parents can pass the likelihood of developing a food allergy to their children through genes that code for inherited traits.
Food Allergies Slides
What common food allergens cause the most problems for adults and children? See this list of common food allergies and learn to avoid allergens with these tips.
Milk Mysteries: What's in Your Glass?
The milk aisle is packed with options. Which is best for you? WebMD has got the lowdown on 15 varieties of dairy, soy, nut, and seed milks.
Food Allergy
The most common food allergies are to eggs, nuts, milk, peanuts, fish, shellfish, strawberries and tomatoes. Symptoms and signs of a food allergy reaction include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain, itching, hives, eczema, asthma, lightheadedness, and anaphylaxis. Allergy skin tests, RAST, and ELISA tests may be used to diagnose a food allergy. Though dietary avoidance may be sufficient treatment for mild allergies, the use of an Epipen may be necessary for severe food allergies.
Hay Fever (Allergic Rhinitis)
Hay fever (allergic rhinitis) is an irritation of the nose caused by pollen and is associated with the following allergic symptoms: nasal congestion, runny nose, sneezing, eye and nose itching, and tearing eyes. Avoidance of known allergens is the recommended treatment, but if this is not possible, antihistamines, decongestants, and nasal sprays may help alleviate symptoms.How Do You Get Tested for Food Allergies?
If you develop symptoms of a food allergy, your doctor will have you undergo a skin test or blood test to determine which foods you are allergic to.
How Do I Know if I Am Lactose Intolerant or Allergic to Milk?
Lactose intolerance is caused by a deficiency of an enzyme (lactase) that helps digest the sugar (lactose) in milk. Milk allergy, on the other hand, is an adverse immune reaction to proteins found in milk. The symptoms of the two conditions are different.
Is Almond Milk Healthier Than Regular Milk?
Almond milk is ideal for people who prefer a vegan diet and want fewer calories, but regular milk is more effective at strengthening bones during youth.
Is Milk Bad for UTI?
Milk is safe to drink if you have a UTI. However, yogurt and other fermented dairy products that contain “good” bacteria are better in preventing infections and lowering your risk for UTI.
Lactose Intolerance
Lactose intolerance is a common problem where a person's digestive system cannot digest lactose. Signs and symptoms include:
- Diarrhea
- Gas
- Abdominal pain
- Abdominal bloating
- Abdominal distention (swelling)
- Nausea
There are several tests to diagnose lactose intolerance. Treatment is generally made with dietary changes, supplements, and adaptation to small amounts of milk.
Lactose Intolerant? How to Get Calcium and Vitamin D
See how to eat right when dairy gives you stomach problems. WebMD shows you ways to get calcium and vitamin D through lactose-free milk, foods, and the sun.
Lactose Tolerance Test
The lactose tolerance test is a test used to diagnose lactoce intolerance. Lactose intolerance occurs when and individual does not have an enzyme breaks down ingested lactose. Symptoms of lactose intolerance include diarrhea, gas, and abdominal pain.
Is Food Intolerance the Same as Food Allergy?
Food intolerance is a condition in which an individual has difficulty in digesting certain foods. Consumption of these foods manifests as physical symptoms such as bloating, loose motion, gases, and bellyache. Food intolerance is quite common. Most people are aware of the foods that disagree with them.
Which Milk Is Best For Bones?
Grocery store aisles are stocked with multiple different types of milk — from low-fat and skim milk to plant-based alternatives like almond and soy milk. While most types of milk have some calcium in them, their particular nutrition profiles can be very different.
Why Won’t My Allergy Symptoms Go Away?
Allergies happen when your body's immune system reacts to certain substances as though they are harmful. Allergy symptoms may not go away unless you avoid your triggers, stick to your medications, find the right combination of medications, and consider surgery.