A milk allergy is primarily referred to as a milk allergy. While there isn't one single alternative name, it's clinically known as a dairy allergy or an allergy to cow's milk protein. It's important to distinguish it from lactose intolerance.
Understanding Milk Allergy vs. Lactose Intolerance
Many confuse milk allergy with lactose intolerance, but they are different conditions:
- Milk Allergy: This is an immune system response to one or more of the proteins in milk, most commonly casein or whey. The body identifies these proteins as harmful and triggers an allergic reaction.
- Lactose Intolerance: This involves the digestive system. People with lactose intolerance lack sufficient lactase, the enzyme needed to digest lactose (a sugar found in milk). This leads to digestive discomfort but doesn't involve the immune system.
Symptoms of Milk Allergy
The symptoms of a milk allergy can vary from mild to severe and may include:
- Hives
- Wheezing
- Vomiting
- Anaphylaxis (a severe, potentially life-threatening allergic reaction)
Management of Milk Allergy
The primary way to manage a milk allergy is through strict avoidance of milk and milk products. This involves:
- Carefully reading food labels.
- Identifying alternative sources of calcium and other nutrients.
- Carrying an epinephrine auto-injector (EpiPen) for emergency treatment of anaphylaxis, if prescribed by a doctor.
