How to Test for Milk Allergies

A milk allergy causes the body to react with hives, vomiting, swelling and much more when milk is consumed. A person with a milk allergy shows signs and symptoms that are either mild or life threatening. Children are more susceptible to developing a food allergy than adults, but most traces of the allergy are gone by the time they reach age 3. The signs and symptoms of an allergic reaction to milk are similar to those of other medical conditions; therefore, you need to be tested to verify whether you actually have a milk allergy.

Instructions

Test at Home

• 1

  Remove any food products from your daily diet that contain milk for 14 days. The ingredients included in a food product are found on the back label under "Nutrition Facts." Keep note of any bodily changes you experience while the milk products are removed from your diet.

• 2

  Slowly reintroduce milk for two days. Begin with a cup of low-fat milk. Drink 3 to 4 ounces at 8 a.m. and then another 3 or 4 ounces at 11 a.m.; repeat this process on the second day. Keep note of any bodily changes you experience while consuming the milk.

• 3

  Remove milk and products containing milk from your diet a second time.

• 4

  Compare your notes. If you noticed any significant changes in your body during the time you consumed the milk, you may be allergic to milk. If not, continue to step 5.

• 5

  Add more products containing milk to your diet. In addition to milk, add a low-fat ice cream to your daily diet for two days. After the two days, remove products containing milk from your diet for a third time. Continue to gradually add and remove dairy products during a two-day period. If there is still no reaction, you may not be allergic to milk.

Allergy Home Testing Kit

• 6

  Purchase an allergy home-testing kit. You can purchase allergy kits online. Most kits test for several food allergies, including milk.

• 7

  Fill out your information on the identification form included in the kit. The purpose of the form is to identify you when your blood sample is sent to the laboratory to be tested for milk allergy.

• 8

  Prick your finger. The test kit includes a lancet that you use to prick your finger in order to retrieve a blood sample.

• 9

  Place the blood from your pricked finger into the tube provided in the kit. If the blood does not drip freely, squeeze the pricked finger to stimulate the blood flow. Close the tube when complete.

• 10

  Place the identification card and tube into the envelope addressed to the laboratory that was included in the kit. Seal and mail the envelope. The results are usually read within five business days and mailed to your home.