Milk has always been considered a very useful product, since it contains vital substances. Despite this, milk allergy is quite common. Currently, it is easy to find at any grocery store. The assortment of milk is considered one of the most diverse. Indeed, on the shelves this product is presented from various animals and different processing. Symptoms of milk allergy in adults and children are quite diverse. It is very difficult to connect the manifestation of an ailment with a certain type of product. The most common allergy to cow's milk protein, which can be found in a huge number of products: yogurt, cheese, ice cream and even sausage.
Why is there an allergy to milk?
Most often, allergic reactions occur from childhood. It is worth remembering that it is better not to give cow milk to infants, replacing it with mothers. In addition, there is an opinion that too late application to the baby’s chest can also cause the onset of the disease.
The risk factors for allergies to dairy products include:
- heredity, if someone from close relatives suffers from this ailment, then the chance of getting sick increases;
- excessive use of milk by the mother during breastfeeding;
- body features, in particular the immune system; this refers to hypersensitivity to dietary supplements;
- diseases of the gastrointestinal tract and liver; these organs are an important link in the process of digestion of dairy products and protein breakdown;
- negative environmental influences, meaning stress, polluted ecology, malnutrition.
Reasons for not accepting milk
It is worth noting that milk of animal origin can be rejected by humans due to two factors. The first is lactase deficiency. A certain proportion of the population suffers from this ailment, namely the complete or partial intolerance of milk sugar. If the body lacks a special enzyme, lactase, which is produced in the intestines, then the immune system gives an adverse reaction when milk is ingested.
Lactase deficiency is one of the causes of allergies in adults. Sometimes a rational step will be to replace milk with dairy products: sour cream, kefir, etc. However, these products should be consumed with caution, not being carried away too much.
Allergy to cow's milk protein (protein) is the second cause of the disease. An animal product contains about 25 different types of protein. In most cases, an allergy occurs immediately on several types. There are situations when the ailment is expressed in contact form, that is, when milk gets on the skin, blisters or redness appear.
Symptoms of milk allergy in adults
As already noted, this ailment can manifest itself with various signs. The only thing that remains common is that the consumption of dairy products leads to their occurrence. The severity of symptoms depends on many factors, including the sensitivity of the body, the level of immunity, etc.
The main symptoms of milk allergy in adults include:
- diarrhea, vomiting, pain in the abdomen; these symptoms are rare in adults, but they do occur;
- nasal congestion, swelling of the mucous membrane, rhinitis;
- general symptoms including dizziness, fainting, rapid breathing; sometimes the temperature rises with allergies in adults;
- the appearance on the skin of redness and blisters, accompanied by itching; It is worth noting that it is strictly forbidden to open them;
- Quincke's edema - this symptom is considered a manifestation of the most severe form of allergy; if you do not start treatment in a timely manner, it can be fatal; appears as a result of accumulation of fluid in the face; this leads to swelling of the nose, neck, and chest.
I must say that Quincke's edema is also accompanied by stuffy ears, coughing and hoarseness.
Will replacing cow milk with goat help?
A person consumes dairy products from the following animals: cow, goat, camel, sheep, horse. All species contain approximately the same proteins. Therefore, if there is a problem of intolerance to cow's milk, then replacing it with a goat or some other milk is unlikely to help.
Scientists have discovered an interesting fact: sometimes adults and children are allergic exclusively to milk powder, while they can use whole milk without problems. The fact is that in this case, intolerance is not expressed due to milk protein. Activators of the disease are changes that have occurred in proteins and fats.
Could there be an allergy to milk from the mother? Here is definitely a negative answer. Although sometimes there are times when the mother herself consumes a large amount of milk during feeding. Then a child may experience a reaction to proteins that enter his body.
How to replace milk for allergies?
If you have such a problem, you need to choose the most appropriate analogues. For allergies to dairy products, doctors recommend the following substitutions (of plant origin):
- soy milk is the most common analogue containing all the necessary substances for our body;
- oat milk is a rather useful product, especially effective in the treatment of colds;
- rice milk - sold in finished form, if you wish, you can do it yourself;
- Coconut milk is the most controversial option, as this product can also cause allergies.
Diagnostics
When the first signs of an ailment appear, you should immediately consult an allergist. It is he who is able to make an accurate diagnosis, identify the causes of allergies in adults and children. First, he will make a full examination and collect the necessary information about the development of pathology.
In most cases, these procedures are not enough to make an accurate diagnosis, so a number of other studies are being conducted. Of these, there are:
- general clinical and biochemical blood analysis; if the number of leukocytes is increased, and an excessive concentration of reactive protein is also observed, that is, it is likely that it is an allergy;
- immunogram;
- skin experiments; apply scratches with various allergens to identify why the reaction occurs;
- determination of the most sensitive antibodies and cells - this analysis allows you to determine allergies with 90% certainty.
Treatment
It is worth remembering that as soon as there are signs of an ailment (temperature with an allergy in adults, dizziness, the appearance of blisters), you need to make an appointment with a specialist. The main method of treating milk intolerance is diet. You should remove all dairy products from the diet and exclude contact with milk. In addition, you need to abandon the use of products that cause high sensitivity to external irritants.
As for medicines, doctors often prescribe antihistamines. They have an anti-inflammatory effect. Also, during therapy, the administration of antispasmodic and antidiarrheal agents is welcome.
Alternative methods of dealing with allergies
Each ailment can be treated with folk remedies. However, disputes about their effectiveness do not stop until now. In the fight against milk allergies, various decoctions of herbs, mummies, homeopathic remedies, biologically active additives are used. Ayurveda treatment is quite common.
When symptoms of milk allergy in adults appear, many people use just folk remedies. They are used very often, and, of course, they make a certain contribution to the treatment of the disease. However, from a scientific point of view, it is impossible to prove. The use of alternative methods does not guarantee a positive result. The main thing is to remember safety. After all, with improper treatment, complications can occur that will lead to unpleasant consequences.
Diet
As already noted, you need to use a hypoallergenic diet. After all, only a complete rejection of contact with the stimulus can provide some security. All products containing milk should be excluded. But it is highly likely that an allergy to dairy products will not occur. This is due to the fact that stimuli are eliminated and pose no danger.
In case of protein intolerance, those products in which it is contained in large quantities should be excluded. Cow milk, ice cream, as well as some confectionery and bakery products are distinguished among them. It is worth remembering that allergies are a serious ailment. If you do not start treatment on time, Quincke's edema may develop. And he can lead to death. Watch your health to avoid unpleasant situations.