Connect
To Top

Doctors Say These Are The 5 Dairy Allergy Symptoms You Shouldn’t Ignore

Healthy Trends

Nothing’s more annoying than rushing to the bathroom or discovering an itchy after gulping a delicious milkshake. The problem is, how do you know whether you’re lactose intolerant, allergic to dairy, or suffering from another condition? If it weren’t for allergy testing, knowing for sure would’ve been impossible. 

So What Is a Dairy Allergy?

According to Hackensack University Medical Center’s chief of gastroenterology, Dr. Rosario Ligresti, dairy allergies result from an adverse immune reaction to some sort of food protein.

Pexels | Dairy allergy is very commonly found in babies – so be an observant parent

Only two milk proteins are capable of triggering this wonky immune response: 

#1 – whey: a crucial part of liquid milk

#2 – casein: a crucial part of milk curds.

It is possible for one to be allergic to one or both of these proteins. As per the Mayo Clinic, if you find yourself allergic to cow’s milk, best believe you’re allergic to goat’s and sheep’s milk as well. In most cases, you’ll start to notice the allergic reactions immediately upon ingesting dairy products.

Symptoms of a Dairy Allergy

Here are the most common symptoms of a dairy allergy:

1. Dizziness, light-headedness, or loss of consciousness

Anaphylaxis is a potentially life-threatening and very severe allergic reaction that comes as an immediate response when an allergic person consumes dairy. A typical symptom of anaphylaxis is fainting or wooziness.

Getty Images | People with life-threatening allergies must always carry an EpiPen

2. Nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea

Dairy allergy can cause inflammation which, upon striking your gastrointestinal tract, can cause nausea, vomiting, or even bloody stool. The last symptom is especially prominent in babies so keep an eye out after they’ve been fed.

3. Swelling in your face and throat or wheezing

Very obvious indications of allergic reactions difficulty breathing, the sensation of a lump in your throat, as well as a swollen face. In such an instance, if you have an epinephrine shot (EpiPen) on hand, inject it immediately and head to the ER.

4. Skin hives

A few hours after exposure to dairy products, an itchy rash is bound to break out. Look for flushes of red bumps or hives on your face or body.

5. A rapid pulse

After you’ve ingested dairy, if you feel a fluttering in your chest or feel like your heart is racing, it could be a tell-tale sign of anaphylaxis.

Pexels | Rush to the ER immediately if your symptoms are too severe to manage

Remember that these symptoms often occur in groups so while you might not have all of them, you might have to deal with a few at a time in case of an allergic reaction. Additionally, some of them are also symptoms of lactose intolerance so don’t go rushing into the ER for no reason every time your stomach gets upset. 

More inHealthy Trends

Related Items

You must be logged in to post a comment Login