Causes And Prevention Of Milk Allergy

Milk allergy is the most common food allergies in children. In addition to regular cow's milk, goat's milk, sheep and buffalo also can cause allergic reactions. And some children who are allergic to cow's milk are also allergic to soy milk.

Milk allergy usually occur a few minutes to a few hours after you consume milk. Signs and symptoms of milk allergy vary from mild to severe and can occur shortness of breath, vomiting, itchy red spots on the skin and digestive problems. In rare cases, milk allergy can cause anaphylaxis -reaksi severe life-threatening. Avoiding dairy products is the best way to treat allergies. Most children will have a milk allergy by the age of 3 years.

symptom
Milk allergy symptoms vary in each person and occur within a few minutes to several hours after ingesting milk.

Signs and symptoms of milk allergy that occurs immediately after consuming milk, among others:
• rash with itching of the skin
• shortness of breath
• Vomiting

Signs and symptoms of milk allergy who need more time to emerge, among others:
• watery stools, which may contain blood
• Diarrhea
• stomach cramps
• Cough or shortness of breath
• Runny nose
• Watery eyes
• itchy skin rash, often around the mouth
• Colic, in infants

Milk allergy or milk intolerance (inability to digest milk)?
It is important to distinguish between milk allergy to milk or lactose intolerance. Unlike a milk allergy, milk intolerance is not related to the body's immune system. Intolerance to milk causes different symptoms and require different treatment from a milk allergy. Signs and symptoms of milk intolerance include digestive problems, such as bloating or diarrhea after consuming milk or dairy products.

anaphylaxis
In rare cases, milk allergy can cause anaphylaxis, a life-threatening reaction that can narrow down and blocking the airway. If you or your child has a reaction to milk, tell your doctor about it no matter how mild reaction. Inspection can help ensure a milk allergy, so you can take steps to avoid a bad reaction in the future. Anaphylaxis is a medical emergency and requires treatment with injectable epinephrine (adrenaline). Signs and symptoms that began after consuming milk, among others:
• Damage to the respiratory tract, such as swelling of the throat making it difficult to breathe
• Face sweating
• Itching
• Shocked, with a severe drop in blood pressure
Causes & Risk Factors
cause

All milk allergy is caused by the body's immune system malfunctions. Your immune system identifies the milk protein is harmful to your body, triggering the production of immunoglobulin E (IgE) to neutralize the protein (which is considered as allergens). Henceforth, if you come in contact with these proteins, these IgE antibodies will know and send signals to the body's immune system to release histamine and other chemicals. Histamine and other chemicals cause a variety of signs and symptoms. Take on the role of histamine in allergic reactions, among others runny nose, itchy eyes, sore throat, rash, itchy rash, nausea, diarrhea, shortness of breath and anaphylaxis.

There are two types of proteins in cow's milk that can cause an allergic reaction:
• Casein, which is found in milk were frozen solid part
• Whey, which is found in the liquid part of milk that remains after milk frozen

You or your child may have an allergy to milk protein only or both. This protein is not only found in the milk, but also in food. In addition, most of them are having a reaction to cow's milk are also allergic to milk of sheep, goat and buffalo. Those who have an allergy to cow's milk can also have an allergy to soy milk.


Risk factors
Certain factors can bring you to the risk of having a milk allergy, among others:
• Allergy another. Many children with milk allergies also have other allergies. Often milk allergy is the first to appear.
• Atopic dermatitis. Children with this type of skin reactions are more likely to have food allergies.
• Family history. You are at an increased risk of food allergies if one or both of your parents have allergies to food or other types of allergies.
• Age. Milk allergy is more common in children. The more you grow older, your digestion will be more mature and more resistant your body will react to milk.


Prevention

There is no sure way to prevent food allergies occur for the first time. But you can prevent signs and symptoms by avoiding foods that cause your allergies. If you know you or your child is allergic to milk, be sure to avoid dairy products. Know what you or your child to eat and drink. Read the food labels carefully.

Several studies have shown that breast-feeding until the first four months of age babies can help prevent allergic to milk. In children who have had an allergy to milk, breast-feeding and the use of hypoallergenic formulas (formulas made from enzymes to destroy the milk protein) can prevent allergic reactions.