It is recorded that most children have milk allergy; symptoms in toddlers are very noticeable though. Though it’s not just cow’s milk; milk from goats, buffalo and sheep can also give some kids allergies. The proteins that are present in the cow’s milk make the drink allergenic; these are the casein found in milk solids, and whey protein found in milk liquids. The basis of today’s commercial milk products are cow’s milk, which is why more and more kids get milk allergy.

 

To be absolutely positive if your child has milk allergy, blood tests and skin tests are necessary. Blood testing is done to measure your immune system’s response to milk by measuring the amount of antibodies called immunoglobulin, although this may still not guarantee you any concrete results. Another test is the skin test; the skin is pricked and exposed to amounts of proteins in milk. If you are allergic, your skin will produce a small red bump or hive. The allergic reaction can show up immediately after the consumption of milk.

 

Symptoms

There are symptoms that appear just after a few minutes of consuming milk. These symptoms include the following:

• Hives – This is a skin condition that immediately appears when you have milk allergy. This is a red, circular, spongy lesion that changes over time.

• Wheezing – This is a high pitched whistling sound, this happens when there is an obstruction in the lungs. This one of the most common and dangerous symptom of milk allergy.

• Vomiting – Most babies vomit after meal, they spit up bits of food, but when they vomit a lot that might lead to more serious conditions. If babies have milk allergy, they vomit because of the reflux.

 

There are also symptoms that take time to develop like the following:

• Loose stool – Babies with milk allergy start to have loose stools which oftentimes have blood in it.

• Diarrhoea – babies are prone to having diarrhoea if they have milk allergy, what triggers diarrhoea is usually gastrointestinal disorder which is common when you have milk allergy.

• Runny nose – One of the symptoms of milk allergy is runny nose because of the amount of mucus stuck in the nasal passage

• Itchy Skin – Babies usually experience this around the mouth where the milk is always in direct contact

• Colic – Colic happens usually to babies. They tend to cry and whine a lot with no stopping.

 

Milk allergy can lead to far more serious conditions like asthma and anaphylaxis. Anaphylaxis occurs when the body takes protein from food as a harmful substance, therefore giving the body the reason to fight it off by producing immunoglobulin. Anaphylaxis can be very dangerous, and deadly. An individual with anaphylaxis might experience dizziness and malaise; also there would be difficulty in breathing if the airways are constricted.

 

It is important that you know what foods contain milk as their ingredient like butter, baking mixes, canned fish, cheese, chocolate, cottage and ricotta cheese, custard, ice cream, margarine, all forms of milk like condensed, evaporated, whole milk, skim milk, low-fat milk, milk powder, etc. You should take note of this and pay more attention to food labels. Milk allergy has no treatment; this can be outgrown by the age of three, while in some cases, it is outgrown by the age of sixteen. In rare cases it’s never outgrown. The best thing you can do is to know what preventive measures you can take in order to stop allergic reactions. Avoid consuming milk-based product, be mindful of your diet, especially if you are a breastfeeding mom, another thing that you should know, breastfeeding your baby up until four to six months reduces the risks of the baby to be allergic to milk, do not introduce solid baby formulas to baby until four to six months. Be in touch to your dietician and doctor.

 

Having milk allergy reduces the chances of your baby to be healthy. Milk contains calcium and other vitamins and proteins, if they are not digesting these nutrients because of diarrhoea and vomiting, there is a big chance that your baby will undergo malnutrition. Calcium is important in the development of bones, and for having good teeth. As a parent you should know what foods can give these nutrients to your baby without causing allergic reactions. Some of the non-dairy foods that contain calcium are salmon, tofu, sardines, spinach, collard greens, turnip greens, okra, white beans, baked beans, broccoli, peas, brussel sprouts, sesame seeds, almonds. If your baby hasn’t reached the month where he is allowed to have solids, the best you can offer are soy-based baby formulas.

 

Factors Affecting Milk Allergy

Though it is said that milk allergy in babies are normal, there are still determining factors as to why babies are having it. Other allergies, many children who are allergic to milk are oftentimes allergic to other foods also, but the milk allergy develops first. Atopic dermatitis, this is a common chronic inflammation of the skin, kids who have this skin condition has a higher risk of developing food allergies. Family history, if you have another child who has a milk allergy, your baby now has a “low risk” of getting the allergy, if either one of you and your partner have allergies, your baby is at “moderate risk” of having allergies, but if you and your partner have a history of milk allergy, then your baby is at “high risk” of acquiring milk allergy as well. Age is another determinant in milk allergies, as you grow older your body matures and can’t react to milk proteins anymore; this doesn’t apply to all cases.

 

The most noticeable milk allergy symptoms in toddlers manifest on the skin; this is one good thing about this condition because you can see everything. Fast symptoms include hives, wheezing and vomiting, while there are symptoms that take more time to develop like loose stools, diarrhoea, runny nose, itchy skin and colic. Although very common it doesn’t necessarily mean that this condition is to be taken by granted as it can pose life-threatening reactions to the person like having asthma and anaphylaxis. There is no cure for milk allergy; the least you can do is to totally avoid milk/dairy-based products. Remember that prevention is better than cure.