Milk allergy symptoms

Milk allergies are caused by the immune system reacting to any of various proteins contained in milk and milk products. Cow milk is usually the culprit but some may also react to milk from sheep, goats and buffalo.

Milk allergy can cause anaphylaxis, which can be life threatening. However, most people with milk allergy experience more minor symptoms.

The most common symptoms of a milk allergy are gastrointestinal in nature, including:

• stomach pain
• bloating
• gas
• cramps

Ingesting milk can also cause nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea. Other effects of milk allergies may include irritation and inflammation in your sinus cavity, throat, or lungs. A runny nose, coughing, wheezing, and watery eyes may all result from a milk allergy.

Lesser known symptoms

Some of the lesser known symptoms of a milk allergy are those affecting the skin, such as hives, eczema, or other rashes. For some who are very sensitive, swelling may occur on areas of the body that came in contact with milk, particularly the lips, tongue, mouth, throat, and other areas of the face.

In addition to these specific symptoms, milk allergies have also been tied to general symptoms like irritability, headaches, and fatigue. Often, these symptoms are mistakenly attributed to another health condition.

Do you experience these symptoms within an hour after drinking milk? If so, you might be allergic to milk, or have a similar condition such as lactose intolerance that affects your body's ability to process milk. These symptoms are also associated with a wide range of health conditions not related to food; as a result, allergy testing or elimination diets are more accurate at diagnosing milk allergies than relying only on a list of symptoms.