Allergy to dairy products

An allergy to dairy products is a kind of body protest against milk casein and protein. There are several types of allergies to dairy products, for example, one person cannot tolerate only cow's milk, but has a normal reaction to goat's or sheep's milk; another person cannot tolerate anything related to dairy products in general, including butter and ice cream.

Some people think that an allergy to dairy products and a negative reaction to lactose are the same thing. However, this is a misconception, since in the latter case, the body is unable to digest milk sugar. Lactose intolerance is characterized by completely different symptoms that have nothing to do with allergic reactions, for example, gastrointestinal symptoms, for example, flatulence.

What foods are contraindicated for milk allergies:

• milk: skimmed, whole, baked, skimmed, dry, condensed; cream;
• sour cream and similar food products;
• cheeses (hard, processed, soy, vegetarian and all others), cottage cheese, whey;
• yogurt, pudding, custard;
• cookies, including crackers;
• breakfast cereals, bread and chocolate;
• dishes cooked in oil. Also here: mashed potatoes and sauces;
• soups in "bags".

In addition, it is necessary to ensure that the products do not contain:

• milk: pasteurized, whole or dry;
• milk protein, casein, caseinate, lactic acid, lactose, lactalubimin, albumin;
• whey (and dry too), whey protein;
• butter (in any form, including ghee), oil flavorings;
• rennet, nougat.

Read also: Milk allergy Allergy to cow's milk Allergy to cottage cheese Lactose allergy

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Causes of Dairy Allergy

Dairy allergy, like other types of allergies, is usually inherited, or rather, it is not the allergic reaction itself that is inherited, but the predisposition to it. Namely, completely different allergens can trigger allergies in children and their parents. The percentage probability that children can inherit an allergy from their parents is 50%, increasing to 75% if both parents suffer from allergies.

Basically, allergies do not immediately reveal their existence, that is, when a product that is an allergen is consumed for the first time, the body does not show a certain reaction - resistance, immediately a rash, redness of the skin or other manifestations. This happens because an allergy to dairy products, like other components, can manifest itself depending on the sensitivity of the immune system, that is, a reaction to an allergen is possible both at the first contact of the body with the influencing factor or after its repeated influence on the body. An allergic reaction to dairy products can occur both in infancy and in old age.

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Symptoms of Dairy Allergy

Allergy to dairy products can manifest itself with all sorts of symptoms, and their duration can also vary: several minutes - several hours after the allergen has affected the body. The period and type of reaction to the allergen does not depend on age, that is, children and adults can suffer from the same symptoms.

So, let's take a closer look at the intervals and types of allergic reactions to food products, including dairy products.

• anaphylaxis or anaphylactic reaction - the time interval from the consumption of the product to the allergic reaction, the body's reaction occurs - anaphylactic shock. Its symptoms occur both immediately and within an hour after exposure to the allergen. There are cases when the eliminated symptoms return after some time. It should be remembered that the initial symptoms progress over time;
• asthma. Many residents of our country are familiar with this reaction, since it is provoked by the "modern" ecology, but this is not the point now. Asthma, in this case, is an exacerbation that is caused by the allergy to any food products. It is determined by the following symptoms: difficulty breathing, 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 caused by the body's reaction to a food allergen, in our case 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, red blisters appear on the surface of the skin, which have the ability to appear and disappear. At the same time, a person experiences unbearable itching on the affected areas of the skin. As for the affected areas of the skin, the location can change and increase, that is, blisters that appear in one place can move to other areas of the skin. Basically, blisters appear in groups;
• Allergies can also manifest themselves through reactions related to the gastrointestinal tract, such as vomiting, flatulence, abdominal cramps, and diarrhea. Some people even experience edematous formations in the oral cavity.

Allergy to dairy products is not a joke, as serious reactions of the body are possible. It is especially dangerous during pregnancy, since the woman's immunity is already weakened during this period, as the body suffers hormonal changes. In addition, the fetus in the womb of a woman is also under the influence of allergic syndromes. Therefore, you should not wait until the disease manifests itself in all its "beauty", you should definitely consult an allergist and follow a diet that excludes allergen-containing foods.

Diagnosis of Dairy Allergy

Before we move on to this issue, let's look at a list of doctors who diagnose food allergies (including dairy allergies) and, accordingly, treat them:

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

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

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Treatment of dairy allergy

Here we come to the most important aspect of solving the problem related to allergic processes. So, allergy to dairy products, like any other allergy, requires immediate exclusion of the provoking factor, that is, for us - this is milk and dairy products.

The drugs and type of therapy depend primarily on the symptoms that are characteristic of the patient. For example:

"Epinephine" is an option for extreme cases such as anaphylaxis. Its properties are 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, respiratory therapy is carried out, consisting of:

• endotracheal intubation, which means inserting a special tube from the mouth to the nasal passage to the respiratory tract;
• tracheostomy - the trachea is cut and a tube is inserted into it. The same process is performed during conicotomy.

People with allergies who are susceptible to anaphylactic shock should always carry a drug prescribed by a doctor - an auto-injector with "Epinephrine", which, in the event of such a reaction to an allergen, is injected into the thigh by themselves 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:

• medications that contain the anticholinergic drug Ipratropium bromide, such as Atrovent, Atrovent N, Ipratropium Steri-Neb;
• medications containing the anticholinergic drug Tiotropium bromide, such as Spiriva, Spiriva Respimat;
• drugs that contain the adrenomimetic Salbutamol, for example, Ventolin, Ventolin Nebules, Salamol Eco, Salbutamol, Salgim, Saltos;
• products where the main component is adrenergic agonist Fenoterol, namely: "Berotek", "Partusisten";
• The adrenomimetic Formoterol is contained in the following medications: Oxis Turbohaler, Foradil, Atimos, Formoterol Easyhaler;
• adrenergic agonist Indacaterol - “Onbrez Breezhaler”, “Onbrez Breezhaler”;
• drugs consisting of a combination of:
  • adrenomimetic Salbutamol and anticholinergic Ipratropium, for example, "Ipramol Steri-Neb";
  • adrenomimetic Fenoterol and anticholinergic agent Ipratropium, for example, Berodual;
  • adrenomimetic Formoterol and glucocorticoid Budesonide: "Symbicort turbuhaler", "Foradil combi";
  • adrenergic agonist Salmeterol and glucocorticoid Fluticasone: “Seretide”, “Tevacomb”;
  • adrenomimetic Formoterol and glucocorticoid Beclomethasone: "Foster".

Skin symptoms are eliminated with a corticosteroid cream or ointment. The name of these products depends on the type of skin reaction, for example, in the case of eczema, the doctor may prescribe Polcortolone, Fluorocort or another drug, in more serious cases - Dermovate, Celestoderm B.

Allergy to dairy products is not cured by folk remedies, 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 preventive measure, you can inhale the vapors of potato broth. To do this, boil potatoes in their skins (5 - 6 potatoes). The pan with the contents is placed on a hard surface. The patient takes a position so that his head is directly proportional to the pan. In this case, his head is covered with a cloth (towel) so as to cover the pan with potatoes itself, so that the steam does not evaporate. Skin reactions are also not recommended to be treated with folk methods, since the patient does not know the reaction of his skin to this or that type of plant. Most often, in this case, decoctions of yarrow, celandine or succession are used for external use.

Prevention of dairy allergies

The best advice on this matter is the absolute absence of dairy products, if you really have an allergy to dairy products. Eliminating the allergen does not mean a complete recovery of the body, but at least in this way you can avoid the allergic reaction itself. It is imperative that before you buy something in the store, you read the labels, where the ingredients are indicated. In the very first section of this article, we looked at the components that provoke an allergic reaction. And no matter how much 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.