What Is Cow’s Milk Allergy?
Cow’s milk allergy is one of the most common food allergies in children. This type of allergy happens as the result of an abnormal response of the body’s immune system to milk and milk byproducts.
Source: StoryMD
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Cow's Milk Allergy
CMA; Cow’s Milk Protein Allergy; CMPA; Cow's Milk Hypersensitivity
Cow’s milk protein allergy is one of the most common food allergies in children, especially infants, whose digestive system is not mature yet. It happens as the result of an abnormal response of the body's immune system to milk and milk byproducts. Learn how to recognize and manage milk allergies in a baby.
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Cow’s milk allergy is one of the most common food allergies in children. This type of allergy happens as the result of an abnormal response of the body’s immune system to milk and milk byproducts.
Source: StoryMD
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Unlike milk allergy, milk intolerance or lactose intolerance doesn’t involve the immune system. The treatments for milk allergy and milk intolerance are different.
Signs and symptoms of lactose intolerance usually involve digestive problems, such as bloating, abdominal discomfort, gas, loose stools, and diarrhea, after consuming milk or milk byproducts.
Source: StoryMD
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Some factors might increase the risk of developing milk allergy:
Source: StoryMD
Casein
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An immune system malfunction causes cow's milk allergy; the immune system mistakenly identifies certain milk proteins as harmful, therefore triggering the production of certain substances (immunoglobulin E antibodies) to try and neutralize the protein.
Casein and whey are the two main proteins found in cow's milk that can cause an allergic reaction. Casein can be found in the solid part of the milk (curd), while whey can be found in the liquid part of the milk that remains after it curdles. Some people are allergic to only one of these milk proteins, while others are allergic to both.
After each exposure to milk proteins, the immunoglobulin E (IgE) antibodies signal your immune system to release some chemicals that are responsible for a wide range of allergic signs and symptoms.
Source: StoryMD
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Symptoms may differ from one child to another and can appear a few minutes to a few hours after drinking milk or eating milk products.
Immediate reactions that suggest milk allergy may include:
Other signs and symptoms of milk allergy that can take more time to develop can include:
Milk allergy is the third most common food -after peanuts and tree nuts- to cause anaphylaxis, which is a life-threatening allergic reaction where the airway narrows and breathing becomes very difficult.
Anaphylaxis is a medical emergency that requires immediate assistance. Signs and symptoms of anaphylaxis can include:
Source: StoryMD
Food Allergy Testing
Also called: Food Hypersensitivity Tests
Food allergies can be serious. If you have symptoms after eating certain foods, food allergy testing can help find out if you're allergic to those foods.
Allergy Blood Test
Also called: Allergy Blood Testing, Allergy Screen, Blood Testing for Allergies, Immunoglobulin E Test, IgE Allergy Test
An allergy blood test measures a protein made by your immune system called immunoglobulin E (IgE). High levels of IgE may mean you have an allergy.
Allergy Skin Test
Also called: Hypersensitivity Skin Test, Allergy Scratch Test, Allergy Patch Test, Allergy Intradermal Test
An allergy skin test helps diagnose allergies by placing small amounts of specific allergens on the skin. Allergens are substances that cause an allergic reaction. A positive result may mean you have an allergy.
Oral Food Challenge Test
Also called: OFC, Feeding Test, Food Challenge Allergy Test
An oral food challenge (OFC) is a food allergy test in which a particular type of food is eaten slowly and in increasing amounts. This is done strictly under medical supervision, and it’s useful to diagnose or rule out a food allergy.
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If you think you or your child had an allergic reaction to milk, do not hesitate to contact your healthcare provider for further testing. Allergic reactions can increasingly become worse overtime after each exposure to the allergen, in this case, milk.
Seek emergency treatment if you or your child start having signs or symptoms of anaphylaxis.
Source: StoryMD
Allergy skin test
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Your doctor may ask detailed questions about possible cow’s milk allergy symptoms in you or your child; he or she will perform a physical exam and will have you keep a diary of the foods and drinks you or your child ingests.
Your doctor will possibly advise you to start eliminating milk and milk byproducts from your diet or your child’s diet, and then have you slowly add back those foods again (elimination diet); this is done to see if the food causes a reaction.
Although elimination diet is the preferred method to diagnose cow’s milk allergy, especially in babies, your doctor may also recommend the following tests:
Source: StoryMD
Avoid Cow's Milk
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There’s no treatment for cow’s milk allergy beyond preventive measures. The goal is to avoid all milk and milk byproducts. However, when accidental exposure occurs, allergy treatment can be given depending on the severity of the symptoms.
It has been proved that breastfeeding can prevent some allergies; however, there is evidence that proteins from milk are excreted in breast milk; therefore, in babies with cow’s milk protein allergy, the mother must avoid all dairy products from her diet.
If the child is having non-life-threatening allergy symptoms, he or she must be evaluated by a doctor, and an elimination diet is usually started. Medications such as antihistamines can help reduce a mild allergic reaction.
Children with life-threatening allergy symptoms or anaphylaxis must be immediately taken to the emergency department and they may need an emergency injection of epinephrine (adrenaline). If your child is at risk of having a severe reaction, you should discuss with your doctor about always carrying injectable epinephrine (EpiPen, Adrenaclick) and how to use this device in case of emergency.
Children with cow's milk protein allergy should be monitored for resolution of the allergy since most will outgrow the allergy during childhood.
Source: StoryMD
Coconut Milk, Non-dairy
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You can’t prevent a food allergy, but you can prevent reactions from happening by avoiding the foods that cause it. If you know you or your child are allergic to cow’s milk, avoid drinking milk and foods that contain milk.
Most people who are allergic to cow's milk are also allergic to goat's milk, sheep's milk, and buffalo's milk; in some cases, even to soy milk.
Milk proteins are hard to avoid because they can be found in a wide variety of processed foods; therefore, you must read food labels carefully, look for whey and casein in the list of ingredients.
Be aware if a food states it can contain traces of milk, cross-contamination can happen when foods are being processed in a place where other milk byproducts are also processed. This can happen even with unsuspected foods, such as canned tuna or sausages.
Even if a food is labeled "non-dairy" or "milk-free," it can still contain milk proteins, so you must read the label carefully in all cases.
When eating out, question the waitress or cook about the ingredients and ask how the foods are prepared. Does the sauce of your food have melted butter on it? Was your shrimp covered in milk before cooking?
If you or your child have a diagnosed milk allergy, talk with your doctor about carrying emergency epinephrine (adrenaline) and wearing a medical alert bracelet to let medical services know about your allergy in case of an emergency.
Source: StoryMD
Milk, Cheese, Cheese Slices
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Milk proteins are obviously found in dairy products, including:
Hidden sources of milk can include a lot of processed foods, such as:
Source: StoryMD
Soy Milk and Soybeans
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Source: StoryMD
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