How can I find out if I'm allergic to milk?
milk allergy is the reaction of the immune system to contact with milk proteins, resulting in sudden or chronic symptoms that in some cases could be life -threatening. It is estimated that it affects about 2.5 percent of young children and seems to be on the rise. However, before you find out whether you or your child are allergic to milk, it is necessary to understand the important difference between milk allergy and milk intolerance, because the symptoms and treatment of these conditions are quite different.
When you are allergic to milk, the immune system - part of the body intended to combat infection - accidentally attack one or more proteins in milk, the most common of which are casein and whey. The symptoms you are experiencing are similar to those that are observed in other types of allergies and include itching, hives, wheezing and digestive upset. In severe cases, the state known as anaphylaxis may occur, in which case they can breathe and the circulatory problem is provided and results in death. Immediate medical care is beforeLogging, if there are serious symptoms and administers of epinephrine, also known as adrenaline, it is necessary to injection to reverse any risk of life.
On the other hand, milk intolerance, also known as lactose intolerance, has nothing to do with the immune system. This is due to the lack or reduced amount of enzyme called lactase, which is necessary in the digestion of milk. Problems with stomach, such as flatulence, convulsions and diarrhea, are the most common symptoms and although they can be unpleasant and unpleasant, they rarely are life -threatening.
The only way to find out whether you are allergic to milk is to consult with an allergist. Normally skin tests and blood tests will be performed as well as the comprehensive evaluation of your history. Through testing, the allergic will look for the presence of the munoglobulin E (IgE) improntient, which usually occur in the blood and skin of patients who are al AlErgic milk. However, the test is not infallible, so if you are able to maintain a food diary with detailed remarks on when you consumed milk and what reactions were, your doctor will be able to make an educated diagnosis despite any changes in testing.
If you are allergic to milk, you must avoid all dairy products and be particularly vigilant when coming into contact with milk proteins in any form. Milk proteins often hidden in conventional foods and produced products can appear as a component in everything, from biscuits to toothpaste, among other things under the guise of flavor of artificial butter, caseinate, lactoglobulin and rennet. In addition, it is important to realize that products marked with lactose, even if they are safe for those with lactose intolerance, do not necessarily have to be safe for someone who is allergic to milk.
Most children who are allergic to milk will eventually grow their condition. As they age and that happens, they become able to consume a dairy producty. Until then, the strict avoidance of all dairy products is the only other procedure.