^

Health

A
A
A

Allergy to dairy products

 
, medical expert
Last reviewed: 19.11.2021
 
Fact-checked
х

All iLive content is medically reviewed or fact checked to ensure as much factual accuracy as possible.

We have strict sourcing guidelines and only link to reputable media sites, academic research institutions and, whenever possible, medically peer reviewed studies. Note that the numbers in parentheses ([1], [2], etc.) are clickable links to these studies.

If you feel that any of our content is inaccurate, out-of-date, or otherwise questionable, please select it and press Ctrl + Enter.

Allergy to dairy products is a kind of, a protest of the body, aimed at milk casein and protein. There are several types of allergies to dairy products, for example, one person does not tolerate exclusively cow's milk, and to goat or sheep it has a normal reaction; the other person does not tolerate anything, which has to do with dairy products in general, including butter and ice cream.

Some people think that the allergy to dairy products and the negative reaction to lactose are one and the same. But, this is an erroneous opinion, as in the latter case, the body is not able to digest milk sugar. Lactose intolerance is characterized by completely different symptoms, which have nothing to do with allergic reactions, for example, gastrointestinal symptoms, say, flatulence.

What products are contraindicated in milk allergy:

  • Milk: taken, whole, melted, fat-free, dry, condensed; cream;
  • sour cream and similar food products;
  • cheese (solid, processed, soy, vegetarian and all the rest), cottage cheese, whey;
  • yoghurt, pudding, custard;
  • biscuits, including crackers;
  • breakfast cereals, bread and chocolate;
  • dishes cooked in oil. There and then: mashed potatoes and sauces;
  • soups in "sachets".

In addition, it is necessary to control that the products in their composition do not contain:

  • milk: pasteurized, whole or dry;
  • milk protein, casein, caseinate, lactic acid, lactose, lactalbumin, albumin;
  • serum (and dry too), whey protein;
  • oil (in any form, and melted), oil flavors;
  • renin, nougat.

Read also:

trusted-source[1], [2], [3], [4]

Causes of allergy to dairy products

Allergy to dairy products, as well as other types of allergies, are transmitted, as a rule, by inheritance, more precisely, not the allergic reaction itself is transmitted, but a predisposition to it. Namely: children and their parents can provoke allergies completely different allergens. The percentage probability that children can inherit allergy from their parents is 50%, increases to 75% if both parents suffer from an allergy.

In general, the allergy does not immediately manifest itself, that is, when the product is first consumed, which is an allergen, the body does not show a definite reaction - resistance, there is a rash, redness of the skin or other manifestations. This is because the allergy to dairy products, as well as to other components, can manifest itself depending on the sensitivity of the nominal system, that is, the reaction to the allergen is possible when the body first contacts the influencing factor or after the expiration of its multiple effects on organism. An allergic reaction to dairy products can occur both in infancy and in old age.

trusted-source[5], [6], [7]

Symptoms of allergy to dairy products

Allergy to dairy products can manifest itself with all sorts of symptoms, and their duration can also be different: several minutes - a few hours after the exposure of the allergen to the body. The period and type of reaction to an allergen does not depend on age signs, that is, children and adults may suffer from the same symptoms.

So, consider in more detail the intervals and types of allergic reaction to food, including dairy products.

  • anaphylaxis or anaphylactic reaction - the interval of time, from the use of the product, ending with an allergic reaction, the body reacts - anaphylactic shock. Its symptoms occur, both momentarily, and within an hour after the influence of the allergen. There are cases when the eliminated symptoms return after a while. It should be remembered that the initial symptoms progress with time;
  • asthma. Many residents of our country know this reaction, because it is provoked by "modern" ecology, but the essence is not about this. Asthma, in this case, is an exacerbation, which is caused by the allergy to any food. It is determined by such symptoms: shortness of breath, including shortness of breath; cough. Unfortunately, such signs are most often characteristic of children, even infants;
  • Atopic dermatitis or eczema is a disease related to dermatology, the signs of which are: skin redness, itching. The appearance of such symptoms is due to the reaction of the body to the food allergen, in our version, to a product containing a milk (or milk) component (protein, casein);
  • urticaria - also from a series of skin diseases, which is the most common among allergic reactions. In this case, blisters of red color appear on the surface of the skin, having the ability to appear and disappear. In this case, a person experiences unbearable itching on the affected areas of the skin. As for the affected areas of the skin, the location of the location can change and increase, that is, the emerging blisters in one place can go to other areas of the skin. Basically, the blisters appear in groups;
  • allergies can manifest themselves and reactions associated with the gastrointestinal tract, for example, vomiting, flatulence, abdominal cramps, diarrhea. Some people are characterized by even edematous formations in the oral cavity.

Allergy to dairy products is not a joke, as serious reactions of the organism are possible. Especially, it is dangerous in the course of pregnancy, because, the woman's immunity this period is so weakened as the body suffers hormonal changes. In addition, the fetus that is in the womb of a woman is also under the influence of allergic syndromes. Therefore, do not wait until the disease manifests itself in all its "beauty", it is necessary to consult an allergist and follow a diet that excludes allergen-containing foods.

Diagnosis of allergies to dairy products

Before proceeding to this issue, let us consider a list of physicians who are engaged in the diagnosis of food allergy (allergy to dairy products inclusive), and, accordingly, its treatment:

  • an allergist is a specialist who engages in atomic diseases, allergic manifestations;
  • Gastroenterologist - an option for those who have an allergic reaction associated with the gastrointestinal tract, for example, vomiting, diarrhea, bloating and so on;
  • dermatologist - analyzes any skin processes, including allergic reaction;
  • immunologist, sometimes has a more combined specialization: an allergist-immunologist. He is engaged, as is already clear from the name of the medical profession, the study of the immune system and its reaction to the allergen;
  • neonatologist - a doctor who deals with the treatment of infants;
  • Otorhinolaryngologist or ENT - in people name, as - an ear, a throat, a nose;
  • pulmonologist - diagnoses and treats the respiratory system. For example, if a person has an allergic reaction - asthma, then this doctor is just what you need.

As we have already discussed above, allergy to dairy products can manifest itself with different symptoms and for different dairy products (only for cow's milk or for all meals of dairy components). It is for this reason that the doctor, regardless of the type of specialization, interviews the patient, namely, questions about the symptoms and what the patient ate before the allergic process occurred. It also takes into account the number of products consumed and the time interval between food intake and allergic symptoms that have arisen. If the allergic reaction is related to dermatology, then skin tests are performed - an immunoglobulin test that allows to detect a food allergen. Among other things, this test, another name for which RAST-test, allows you to identify serious diseases, eczema and psoriasis inclusive. In addition to skin tests, a blood test is performed, where the concentration of immunoglobulin E (IgE) is analyzed. The blood test is given for any symptoms and allergic reactions to any products.

trusted-source[8], [9], [10]

Treatment of allergies to dairy products

So, we came to the most important aspect of solving the problem associated with allergic processes. So, an allergy to dairy products, like any other allergy, requires an immediate elimination of the provoking factor, that is, we have milk and dairy products.

Drugs and the type of therapy depends, first of all, on what symptoms are characteristic of the patient. For example:

"Epinephine" is an option for extreme cases such as anaphylaxis. Its properties consist in the fact that the drug acts as a bronchodilator expanding the respiratory tubes; there is a reduction in blood cells (which increase blood pressure) in a quantitative sense. In case of anaphylactic shock, the patient needs urgent hospitalization. There is also a respiratory therapy, consisting of:

  • endotracheal intubation, which means - the introduction of a special tube of the mouth - the nasal passage - the airway;
  • tracheostomy - the trachea is dissected, after which a tube is inserted. The same process is carried out with conicotomy.

People with allergies who are prone to anaphylactic shock should always carry a drug prescribed by a doctor in advance - an autoinjector with Epinephrine, which, in the case of this reaction to an allergen, is injected into the hip alone or with the help of another person.

The allergic process (not as complex as in the above case), related to respiratory properties, is eliminated with the help of inhaled bronchodilators, which can be:

  • medicines that contain anticholinergic Ipratropium bromide, for example, Atrovent, Atrovent H, Ipratropium Steri-Neb;
  • drugs consisting of anticholinergic drug Tiotropium bromide, for example, "Spiriva", "Spiriva Respimat";
  • preparations containing adrenomimetic Salbutamol, for example, Ventolin, Ventolin Nebula, Salamol Eco, Salbutamol, Salgim, Saltos;
  • means, where the main component of adrenomimetic Fenoterol, namely: Berotek, Partusisten;
  • adrenomimetic Formorol is contained in the following medicines: "Oxys turbuhaler", "Foradil", "Atimos", "Formoterol Ishihler";
  • adrenomimeticus Indacaterol - "Onbrez Brizhaler", "Onbrez Brizhaler";
  • preparations consisting of a combination of:
    • adrenomimetika Salbutamol and holinoblokatora Ipratropium, for example, "Iprimol Steri-Neb";
    • adrenomimetics Fenoterol and holinoblokatora Ipratropium, for example, "Berodual";
    • adrenomimetics Formoterol and glucocorticoid Budesonide: "Symbicort turbuhaler", "Foradil combi";
    • adrenomimetics Salmeterol and glucocorticoid Fluticasone: "Seretide", "Tevacombe";
    • adrenomimetics Formoterol (Formoterol) and glucocorticoid Beclomethasone: "Foster."

Skin symptoms are eliminated by a corticosteroid cream or ointment. The name of these remedies depends on the type of skin reaction, for example, in case of eczema, the doctor can prescribe "Polcortolone", "Fluorocort" or other drug, in more serious cases - "Dermoveit", "Celestoderm B".

Allergy to dairy products by alternative means is not cured, since, anaphylactic shock (for example) - only hospitalization; Asthma is a dangerous thing, and resorting to herbal decoctions is extremely dangerous. In the case of asthma, but as a prophylaxis, you can inhale couples of potato broth. To do this, boiled potatoes in uniforms (5 - 6 potatoes). The pan is put together with the contents on a hard surface. The patient assumes the position in such a way that his head is directly proportional to the pan. At the same time, his head is covered with a cloth (towel) so as to cover the pot with potatoes, so that the steam does not evaporate. Skin reactions treated with alternative methods are also not recommended as the patient does not know the reaction of his skin to a particular plant species. Most often, in this case, for outdoor use use decoctions of yarrow, celandine or string.

Prevention of allergies to dairy products

The best advice on this matter is the absolute absence of dairy products, if you are really allergic to dairy products. Excluding an allergen does not mean a complete recovery of the body, but at least in this way it is possible to avoid the most allergic reaction. Without fail, before you buy something in the store, you should read the labels where the ingredients are listed. In the very first section of this same article, we examined the components that provoke an allergic reaction. And, no matter how badly you want a sandwich with butter or cheese, you need to be able to tame your desires, because, the allergy can gain momentum, that is, develop, and its symptoms can become more serious, including anaphylactic shock.

Translation Disclaimer: For the convenience of users of the iLive portal this article has been translated into the current language, but has not yet been verified by a native speaker who has the necessary qualifications for this. In this regard, we warn you that the translation of this article may be incorrect, may contain lexical, syntactic and grammatical errors.

You are reporting a typo in the following text:
Simply click the "Send typo report" button to complete the report. You can also include a comment.