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Milk Allergy |
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Milk Allergy – an Introduction
Milk Allergy is one of the common forms of Food Allergies that is caused when the Immune System of the body reacts against some of the proteins that exist in the milk. Milk may contain several proteins which are helpful for the body. But sometimes, body cannot recognize the helpful proteins and instead treat them as harmful elements and hence reacts against those. As a result, one experience Milk Allergy. One of the top eight food allergies, Milk Allergy is very common in all the parts of the world and a number of people of all ages experience it. One can find more than 25 different molecules in the Cow's milk which can cause Milk Allergy.
Causes of Milk Allergy
Before we know about the causes of Milk Allergy, we need to know why we experience allergies. Allergy is caused when the Immune System of the body reacts against some of the substances that have come through the food. The immune system recognize the foreign proteins (known as antigens) on the surfaces of micro organisms to form antibodies (or, also known as immunoglobulins). When the immune system finds two same antigens, the antibodies interact with them and it destroys the micro organisms. In case of allergies, the immune system mistakenly forms antibodies against harmless substances.
In Cow's milk there are more than 25 substances that cause Milk Allergy. The major two of them are Casein and Whey. Casein is the curd that is formed when the milk is left to sour. On the other hand, Whey is the watery part that remains after the curd is taken away. It consists of two main allergenic proteins, viz. Alpha-lactalbumin and beta-lactaglobulin. Casein is one of the most important allergens found in the milk products.
Symptoms of Milk Allergy
There may be several kinds of symptoms of Milk Allergy which varies from individual to individual. The symptoms of Milk Allergy can be categorized into three board parts, which include:
- Skin Reactions
- Stomach and Intestinal Reactions
- Nose, Throat and Lung Reactions
The symptoms relating to skin reactions include itchy red rash on the skin, hives, eczema, swelling of lips, mouth, tongue, face or throat, black eyes etc. The stomach and intestinal reactions include the symptoms like abdominal pain and bloating, diarrhea, vomiting, gas, cramps etc. The symptoms of nose, throat and lung reactions include runny nose, sneezing, watery or itchy eyes, coughing, wheezing, shortness of breath etc.
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Treatment for Milk Allergy
The best way to avoid Milk Allergy is to avoid having milk. The children who develop Milk Allergy usually outgrow. It they breastfed, the mothers can be given elimination diet. Various substitute formulas can be used instead of milk like soy milk, rice milk, and various hypoallergenic formulas based on hydrolyzed protein or free amino acids etc. One can also go under medication to cope with Milk Allergy as well.
For more information on Food Allergies, please go through the site www.allergieshub.com.
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