Does drinking milk make you sick? Let's talk about Casein Allergy

Have you ever had a glass of milk, a slice of cheese on a pizza, and suddenly your lips swelled up, your body started to feel sore, and you had trouble breathing? Or have you seen your baby do the same? This can be a very scary experience. Most of the time, this is caused by your body reacting to casein , a protein found in milk. Let's talk about this in simple terms today.

Why does this casein allergy occur?

Simply put, a casein allergy occurs when our body's defense system, the immune system, makes a small mistake. This system thinks that the protein in milk called casein is a very dangerous enemy for the body. So, to fight against this "enemy", our body produces a special type of antibody called IgE .

Imagine, when you eat something that contains milk, the casein proteins enter the body. As soon as they enter, they combine with the previously formed IgE antibodies, and a lot of chemicals like histamine are released inside the body. It is when those chemicals are released that the symptoms of allergy appear within a few minutes.

In addition to casein, milk also contains another protein called whey . Some people can be allergic to both.

Are casein allergy and lactose intolerance the same thing?

Yes, this is where many people get confused. These are two completely different situations.

• Casein allergy: This is an immune system problem. The body sees milk proteins as an enemy. This can be life-threatening.
• Lactose Intolerance: This is a digestive problem. What happens here is that the body lacks the enzyme needed to digest lactose, a type of sugar found in milk. This causes bloating , stomach cramps, and diarrhea. This is an inconvenience, but not life-threatening.

Milk allergies usually develop during childhood, that is, during infancy. However, most children outgrow this condition as they grow older. However, some people may continue to have this allergy into adulthood.

What are the symptoms of allergies?

These symptoms may appear within minutes to two hours of eating a food containing casein:

• Swelling of the lips, mouth, tongue, face, or throat.
• Skin rash (urticaria), a red, itchy rash-like rash.
• Nasal congestion, sneezing, runny nose, itchy eyes.
• Breathing difficulties such as coughing or wheezing.

The most dangerous reaction: Anaphylaxis

This is the most severe and dangerous thing that can happen with a milk allergy. Anaphylaxis is a very severe allergic reaction that can occur suddenly and can even be life-threatening.

People who have both asthma and food allergies are at higher risk of complications if they experience an anaphylactic reaction, so they should be extra careful.

How is it treated and managed?

If a doctor determines that you have a casein allergy, he or she will give you some important advice.

1. Keep an Epinephrine Injection: If you have a severe reaction to something that contains casein, your doctor will tell you to keep an Epinephrine injection with you. Your doctor will explain how to use this. This is the same chemical called adrenaline that is produced in the body when we are scared or anxious.

2. Antihistamines: You can keep an antihistamine on hand to help with minor allergy symptoms (e.g., a little itching, a small rash on the skin). But remember, in the event of a severe reaction, that is, anaphylaxis, these medications are not enough. At that time, an epinephrine injection is needed.

What to do in case of a severe reaction

• If you suspect you are experiencing symptoms of anaphylaxis, don't hesitate to use an epinephrine auto-injector immediately. It won't hurt, but it could save your life.
• After getting the vaccine, go to the emergency room (ETU) of a hospital immediately. Because sometimes a second wave of reactions can occur a few hours after the first reaction subsides. Therefore, it is safe to stay under medical supervision for about 4-8 hours.

How can you prevent allergies?

The best treatment is to avoid the allergen. This means following a casein-free diet . You should avoid all foods containing milk and dairy products.

This isn't as simple as simply not putting cheese on your sandwich. Imagine, if you cut the cheese with the same machine that cuts deli meat, a small amount of cheese can be added to the meat. Even such a small amount of casein can cause a severe reaction in some people.

Be especially careful with the ingredients and foods in the table below. Read the labels of packaged foods you buy from the store carefully.

How to get calcium without milk?

Don't worry about not drinking enough milk and getting a calcium deficiency. There are many other ways to get calcium, both for those who don't drink milk and those who do.

• You can use calcium-enriched fruit drinks, cereals, soy milk, almond milk, and rice milk.
• Vegetables like spinach, kale, and broccoli are also good sources of calcium.

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