Do you also experience discomfort when drinking milk? Let's learn about this milk allergy!

Do you feel uncomfortable or uncomfortable when you drink milk or eat food that contains milk? Do you sometimes have difficulty breathing, feel sick, or have stomach problems? If so, you may have an allergy to milk. We medically call this `( Milk Allergy )`. This is a condition that can occur in young children as well as adults. So, isn't it very sad to experience something like this? But don't worry, let's find out more about it today.

What is Milk Allergy?

Simply put, a milk allergy is when our immune system , our body's own 'army' that protects us from disease , reacts inappropriately to certain proteins in milk. Think of it this way: when you drink some milk or eat a food containing milk, your body thinks that these milk proteins are a bunch of harmful, dangerous 'invaders'. Then our immune system kicks in and starts fighting these 'invaders'. That's when an allergic reaction occurs. Do you understand what's happening?

Milk is actually one of the most common foods that people are allergic to all over the world. But there is good news. Even though some young children have this milk allergy, there is a good chance that it will go away on its own as they get a little older, that is, as they grow older. So that is a bit of a relief, isn't it?

What happens to the body when you have a milk allergy?

A person with a milk allergy is actually reacting to one or more proteins in milk. Some people are allergic to the protein in milk called casein. Others are allergic to the protein in milk called whey. Although rare, some people can be allergic to both proteins.

Now, when someone like you eats or drinks something containing these proteins, their body releases various chemicals like `` Histamine .'' When these chemicals are released, the various symptoms we talked about earlier appear. Here are some things that can happen:

• Wheezing
• Sudden difficulty breathing
• A persistent cough
• Hoarseness, change in voice
• Feeling like your throat is constricted, like something is stuck in it
• Having a severe stomach ache
• Vomiting
• Diarrhea , which means bowel movements
• Red, itchy, watery, swollen eyes
• A sudden rash on the skin, we call it `(Hives)`
• Swelling in various parts of the body
• A sudden drop in blood pressure, feeling dizzy, and possibly even losing consciousness.

Allergic reactions to milk can vary from person to person, and even from person to person. Some reactions are very mild, and may only cause a small rash. However, it is important to remember that just because you had a mild reaction the next time you have a reaction, it can be very severe and even life-threatening. So don't take it lightly.

The most severe reaction: Anaphylaxis

Milk allergy can sometimes cause a very severe, life-threatening reaction called ``Anaphylaxis.'' This ``(Anaphylaxis)'' may start with the same symptoms as a normal allergy, but the condition can become severe very quickly, within a few minutes. You may not be able to breathe, you may lose consciousness. It can affect more than one area of ​​the body, several systems. If this is not treated immediately, without delay, it can be life-threatening. I mean, this is very dangerous, right?

"Many people confuse milk allergy with `Lactose Intolerance`. This is because both can cause symptoms such as stomach upset and diarrhea. But remember, `Lactose Intolerance` is simply a condition in which our body has difficulty digesting the sugar lactose found in milk. It can cause stomach discomfort, but it is not life-threatening. However, `Milk Allergy` can be much more serious and is related to the immune system."

How do you accurately determine if you have a milk allergy?

If you have similar symptoms when you drink milk or eat dairy products, and suspect that you have a milk allergy, your family doctor will likely refer you to an allergist for further testing. There, they will ask you questions such as:

• How often does a reaction like this happen?
• How long does it usually take for symptoms to start after eating a food?
• They also ask if anyone else in the family has allergies like this, or conditions like eczema or asthma.

Then the specialist doctor may do a ``skin test'' on you. This involves placing a very small amount of milk protein on the surface of your skin, such as your arm or back, and making a very small scratch or pricking it with a needle. Then, they wait for about 15-20 minutes to see if the area turns red, swells up a bit like a mosquito bite, and looks like a welt. If so, that could mean you have a milk allergy. Do you understand how to do that?

You will be asked to stop taking certain medications, such as over-the-counter antihistamines (such as piridine), 5 to 7 days before the skin test. These medications can affect the test results and may not accurately identify your condition. Therefore, it is important to ask your allergist's office about which medications you should stop taking and for how long.

They may also do a ``blood test''. They will take a small sample of your blood and send it to a lab for analysis. There, they will check if you have specific antibodies called ``IgE antibodies'' in your blood against milk. If you have enough of these ``IgE antibodies'' in your blood, there is a high chance that you are allergic to milk.

However, if the results of this skin test and blood test are not clear, sometimes the allergist may do something called a ``Food Challenge.'' This is done very carefully, in a hospital setting. In this, under the full supervision of a doctor, you are gradually given increasing amounts of milk to drink, and they watch very carefully for any symptoms.

How to treat a milk allergy?

If you have been diagnosed with a milk allergy, it is essential to carry two doses of epinephrine with you at all times, wherever you go. This is a life-saving medicine that can be used in the event of a severe allergic reaction (such as anaphylaxis). Epinephrine is a medicine that must be prescribed by a doctor. It comes in a small, portable pen-like device (an auto-injector). It is very easy to use. Your doctor will teach you how to use it. Always carry two doses, so that if one dose doesn't work, you can use a second dose within seconds/minutes.

Your doctor can also write you an ``Allergy Action Plan.'' This will help you prepare for an allergic reaction, recognize symptoms quickly when they occur, and know exactly what to do. Share this plan with anyone you know, such as your family, school teachers, office colleagues, and sports coaches. Also, consider wearing a ``Medical Alert Bracelet'' or necklace that says something about your allergy. This can help you in an emergency.

Every second counts in an allergic reaction. If you start to experience severe allergic symptoms, such as difficulty breathing or a feeling of tightness in the throat, use epinephrine immediately without delay. Also, if your symptoms appear in two different body systems at once, for example, skin rashes and vomiting, use epinephrine immediately. Then call 1990 Suwaseriya immediately or go to a hospital emergency room as soon as possible. You should definitely stay under medical supervision for several hours, because sometimes a second wave of severe symptoms (a `biphasic reaction`) can occur a few hours later, even if the worst seems to have passed.

What should I do to stay safe if I have a milk allergy?

This is the most important part. If you have a milk allergy, you should not eat or drink anything that contains milk or milk proteins in any way. This is something that needs to be followed very strictly.

Avoiding dairy is not as simple as removing the cheese from your sandwich. You should read the labels of all foods and drinks you buy at the store very carefully, without a word. Don't eat anything you're not sure about or don't know the ingredients in. Don't even think, "It's okay to have a little."

Milk and milk proteins can be found in foods in unexpected places. For example, in preserved meats (such as sausages and meatballs), salad dressings, baked goods (bread, cakes, biscuits), chocolate, and some crackers. Even if they are labeled ``non-dairy'', they can still contain trace amounts of milk protein. So always check the ingredients list.

Even though the label may not directly say "contains milk," there is another thing you should be very careful about. That is the risk of ``cross-contamination.'' This ``cross-contamination'' is when a food you are not allergic to comes into contact with a food you are allergic to, in this case, milk, without you knowing it. Imagine, if a food factory uses the same machine and equipment to make a food that contains milk and a food that does not contain milk, then milk protein particles can get into the non-dairy food.

Some food companies will provide some sort of warning on their labels about this cross-contamination risk. For example, they may say something like: "May contain milk," "Processed in a facility that also processes milk," or "Manufactured on equipment also used for milk." You should avoid products with these warnings altogether. However, not all companies are required by law to include these warnings on their labels. So, if you have any doubts, it's best to contact the company (by phone or email) and ask if the product has a risk of cross-contamination with milk. Sometimes you can find this information on the company's website.

When you eat out, whether at a restaurant or at a friend's house, there is a risk of ``cross-contamination.'' If you use the same cutting boards, knives, spoons, or the same pan to prepare different dishes, you could introduce allergens into your food.

When you're out and about, ask what exactly is in the food you're planning to eat. Also, find out how it's prepared. For most people, it's best to bring safe food from home whenever possible, or to eat at home before you go out. If the people you're going to, whether they're at your friends' house or eating with you, don't know about your allergy, let them know in advance so they can prepare the food for you or be careful. If your friends eat foods that contain milk you're allergic to, don't share drinks or eating utensils (spoons, forks, plates) with them, and don't even try a bite of their food.

Living with a milk allergy can take some time. It's not easy. But by being very careful about what you eat and drink, and by always keeping two doses of epinephrine on hand in case of an allergic reaction, you can live with your allergy without fear and in a safe manner.

So, what are the most important things we should take home from this story?

You probably now understand that a milk allergy is not a simple thing, it is a serious condition that can sometimes be life-threatening. So keep these things in mind, because they will protect you:

• Avoid milk and anything containing milk completely: Read food labels carefully. Don't eat suspicious foods if you don't know the ingredients. Never assume that "a little is okay."
• Always be aware of cross-contamination: Be especially careful when eating out or eating at other people's homes. Also be careful with the equipment you use in the kitchen.
• Always carry two doses of epinephrine auto-injector with you, wherever you go: Know exactly how to use it. Check it regularly to see if it has expired. Make sure you and your loved ones are aware of your Allergy Action Plan.
• If severe symptoms occur, act immediately without delay: use `(Epinephrine)` and seek medical advice immediately (go to a hospital).
• You are not alone in this battle: there are many other people in the world living with this condition. Talk to your doctor, an allergist, and get the help, advice, and support you need.

We hope this information has been helpful to you. If you or someone you know has any of these symptoms of a milk allergy, please do not panic and do not delay in seeing a doctor. Wishing you a speedy recovery and a safe life!

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