Do I Have Milk Allergy?
Cow's milk is one of the most familiar allergy-causing foods in children, and it's the chief source of allergic responses in very young children.
Milk allergy disturbs about 2 percent to 3 percent of children globally, and its symptoms and signs may be severe enough to cause concern not only for an allergic child, but also for the child's family. However the good news is that the largest part of kids outgrow a milk allergy by the age 2 or 3.
Allergic reactions commonly happen a few minutes to a few hours after you consume milk " but at times it can be days before symptoms and sign show. Signs and symptoms go from mild to severe and may consist of wheezing, vomiting, hives and digestive problems. Seldom, milk allergy can cause anaphylaxis - a severe, life-threatening reaction.
Milk Allergy Symptoms
Three types of milk connected allergy symptoms have been accepted:
1. Symptoms set in at once subsequent to eating/drinking cow's milk. Responses primarily affect the skin, triggering hives and/or eczema.
2. Symptoms set off some hours after eating/drinking cow's milk. Symptoms of this type are mainly diarrhea and vomiting.
3. Symptoms set off more than twenty hours after eating/drinking. The central symptom for this type is diarrhea.
Symptoms of milk allergy can affect the skin, causing rashes or hives; the digestive tract, causing bloating and diarrhea, and the respiratory system, causing runny nose and asthma.
Here is a more full listing of symptoms:
* vomiting
* hyperactive behavior
* diarrhea
* asthma
* hives
* runny nose
* rashes
* stuffy nose
* ear infections
* bloating
* watery eyes
* eczema
* allergic shiners (black around the eyes)
* recurrent bronchitis
* failure to thrive
The just mentioned symptoms are not limited to people with milk allergy. When one get to know food allergy symptoms, you probably notice that numerous foods share a variety of common symptoms, such as: bloating, rash, and runny nose.
What is the Difference of Milk allergy and Milk Intolerance?
It is central to differentiate a true milk allergy from milk protein intolerance or lactose intolerance. Unlike a milk allergy, intolerance doesn't involve the immune system. Milk intolerance causes different symptoms and involve diverse treatment than does a true milk allergy. Ordinary signs and symptoms of milk protein intolerance or lactose intolerance include digestive problems, such as bloating, gas or diarrhea, after consuming milk.
Milk Allergy Prevention and Cure
The single way to prevent an allergic reaction is to avoid milk and milk proteins altogether. This can be hard, as milk is a widespread food ingredient. Despite your best efforts, you or your child may still come into contact with milk.
Medications, such as antihistamines, may reduce signs and symptoms of a milk allergy. These drugs can be taken after exposure to milk to control an allergic reaction and help relieve uneasiness. If you or your child has a severe allergic reaction (anaphylaxis), you may need an emergency injection of epinephrine (adrenaline) and a trip to the emergency room.
If you're at risk of having a life-threatening reaction, you or your child may need to carry injectable epinephrine (such as an EpiPen) at all times.