Milk Allergy Hives

Milk allergy is a common food allergy, which affects nearly about one to two percent of preschool children. It is not much common in school age children. It is often caused due to allergy antibodies against milk proteins. All the reactions that are caused due to the antibodies are the immediate allergic reaction. You can detect these antibodies with an allergy test like a skin prick test. Not all the children with a positive milk allergy antibody test get reactions on drinking milk or consuming food that contains milk. If your child has never drunk milk and has a positive allergy test, then your doctor will determine the higher chances of getting a reaction after consumption. This is done by doing a milk challenge at the hospital.

Hives that are caused due to the consumption of milk and dairy products are referred to as milk allergy hives. People usually develop allergy towards cow's milk. Though it is very widespread among children and disappear by the age of two or three, sometimes they may last lifelong. Children who are allergic towards milk will refuse to take milk and adults are known to react to milk protein in any form.

A person, allergic to milk protein, if consumes milk will react to it immediately. The body's immune system considers the milk to be an invader and responds by creating anti-bodies which are specifically designed to fight the invaders. The antibodies release chemical called histamine that that triggers the hives.

There are certain symptoms of milk allergy which are listed below:

• Swollen reddish bumps on the skin that occur either in patches or all over the body.
• Hyperactive behavior, diarrhea, hives, vomiting, asthma and respiratory problems indicate milk allergy hives.
• Other symptoms include infections on ears and nose.
• Darkness around the eyes and bloating of the skin.
• Other symptoms include skin rashes and eczema.
• Abdominal Cramps
• Runny Nose
• Coughing and wheezing

The most serious reaction related to milk allergy is anaphylaxis which attacks all of a sudden and brings about dangerous changes in breathing, heart beat and other body functions.

Milk allergy can affect people of all ages and races. In most of the cases, people develop milk allergy when they are young or even infants. Many children allergic to milk can tolerate consumption of dairy products to certain extent like small amount of cheese or yogurt. There are three types of milk allergies

Treatment of Milk Allergy

• The best way to get rid of milk allergy is to avoid consuming milk. Antihistamines can come to the rescue as well. Treatment depends on the degree of allergy as well. Mild milk allergy can be treated by avoiding milk and dairy products
• If someone has anaphylaxis due to hives, they can consider taking EpiPen immediately when the reaction develops.
• Milk forms an important part of our diet. However, in case of milk allergy hives, consumption of milk has to be avoided. Nonetheless there are certain supplements that can be used instead of milk, which happen to be products like soy. Calcium enriched soy milk or orange juices can be used instead of milk.
• Children should be given Calcium Supplements who is not consuming any kind of dairy products.
• Fruit juices such as orange juice and others can be given, but apple juice should be strictly avoided as this might cause the body to bloat up.

In case one has milk allergy hives, the following precautions should be taken:

• Be very careful while eating outside.
• Read food labels before buying any products from the market.
• Try and avoid all kinds of food that contain milk as its ingredient.

Milk allergy hives are common skin disorders, which can be controlled if proper treatment and prevention is meted out.