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Signs & Symptoms of Milk Allergies

Cow's milk is the most common cause of an allergic food reaction, the Mayo Clinic says. When a person is allergic to cow's milk it is possible, in some cases, for him to be allergic to soy, sheep, buffalo and goat's milk as well.

  1. Symptoms

    • Immediately after consuming milk, a person can develop symptoms such as wheezing, vomiting and hives. Symptoms that may take longer to appear include loose stools, abdominal cramping, coughing, runny nose, watery eyes and an itchy skin rash that typically forms around the mouth.

    Effects

    • In rare situations, milk allergies can have a severe effect and cause a reaction known as anaphylaxis. According to the Mayo Clinic, anaphylaxis is "a life-threatening reaction that can narrow the airways and block breathing."

    Causes

    • A malfunction of the immune system is always the cause of food allergies. Two proteins found in milk known as casein and whey are identified by your immune system as "harmful, triggering the production of immunoglobulin E (IgE) antibodies to neutralize the protein (allergen)," the Mayo Clinic says.

    Risk Factors

    • Allergies, especially those to milk, are more common in children and will go away, in most cases, by the time a child is 3 years old. Other risk factors include a family history of food allergies, any other known allergies that you may have and those with atopic dermatitis (a skin reaction).

    Treatment

    • It is possible to prevent an allergic reaction by avoiding products that contain milk ingredients that you are allergic to but accidents do happen. Antihistamines can be used to reduce the symptoms of an allergic reaction, and epinephrine may be needed to treat a person in the event of anaphylaxis.

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