Milk Allergy In Children – Causes & Symptoms You Should Be Aware Of
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Is your child allergic to milk? Are you worried that he may suffer from nutrient deficiency if he avoids the glass of goodness? Well, if you can relate your child to the above situations reading this post is a good idea.
Milk is one of the common foods that cause an allergic reaction in children. Children usually develop milk allergy in the first year of their life, and most of them eventually outgrow it when they grow up. That is why most doctors advise mothers to breastfeed their babies exclusively for six months. Want to know more about the causes and symptoms of child milk allergy? Read on!
What Causes Milk Allergy In Children?
Sometimes your child’s immune system gets confused and fights the proteins present in the milk and causes an allergy. Thus, it is advisable not to give cow’s milk to babies before their first birthday. Do you know if your child is allergic to cow’s milk, there are chances that he may be allergic to goat, sheep or soy milk also?
[ Read: Symptoms Of Diarrhea In Children ]
Symptoms Of Milk Allergy In Children?
Symptoms of milk allergy can range from mild to severe depending on the sensitivity of the child to milk and milk products. The signs of an allergic reaction due to milk consumption differ from child to child and sometimes the reaction may be different at different times in the same child. Sometimes the symptoms of milk allergy appear immediately after the consumption of milk and sometimes the reaction may be visible only after a couple of days.
When your child’s body fights the proteins present in the milk, his body releases a chemical called histamine and he suffers from an allergy. Some of the milk allergy symptoms in children are the following: [1]
- wheezing
- breathing trouble
- coughing
- hoarseness
- stomach ache
- vomiting
- diarrhea
- itchy, watery, or swollen eyes
- hives
- red rashes
- swelling
- low blood pressure
- fainting
Most children outgrow this food allergy after two years of age, but some may continue to suffer from it until they reach their adolescence.
[ Read: Ways To Relieve Your Child From Food Allergy ]
How To Diagnose Milk Allergy In Children?
Consulting a pediatrician will help diagnose properly if your child is suffering from the milk allergy.
For easy diagnosis, keep the following information ready before meeting your doctor:
- Family history details about members having milk allergy.
- Detailed chart of your child’s diet.
- List of symptoms with the time of occurrence of the reaction.
Based on the above information, your doctor might suggest your child to go for blood, stool, allergy skin test and an oral challenge test.
If the tests confirm that your child is allergic to milk then discuss with the doctor about alternatives to the milk-based formulas and dairy products and the best way to protect your child from allergies in the future.
[ Read: Symptoms Of Lactose Intolerance In Children ]
How To Prevent Milk Allergy?
If your child is allergic to milk, it is best to avoid giving him any food that contains milk or milk products. You should carefully read labels of food products especially chocolates before buying them at the supermarket. But as milk is a good source of calcium, it’s better not to eliminate it completely from your child’s diet. Instead, try offering him non-dairy milk like:
- Rice milk
- Almond milk
- Coconut milk or
- Oats milk
[ Read: Calcium Rich Foods For Kids ]
Remember, it’s advisable for your child to avoid the intake of any dairy product until he grows up a little more.
Does your child have a milk allergy? If yes what measures are you taking to prevent it? Please share your advice and tips with other moms here.
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