What Are the Treatments for an Allergic Reaction to Milk?

Sometimes mistaken for lactose intolerance, an allergic reaction to milk can range from mild to painful. Recognizing the signs of an allergic reaction to milk can let people know when treatment is needed. These symptoms can include a rash, hives, upset stomach, and vomiting. Some cases can even result in anaphylactic, or extreme allergic reactions, like low blood pressure and trouble breathing. Effective treatments for this specific allergy are similar to those used for reactions to other types of food.

Acute treatments for an allergic reaction to milk can involve antihistamine medications or epinephrine. Antihistamines, such as diphenhydramine, work to block the chemical histamine that is involved in allergies. These medications treat most symptoms of an allergic reaction, but can take 30 to 60 minutes to begin working after they are taken. Caution must be used, however, as compounds derived from dairy products may be found in these medications as inactive ingredients, adding further complications.

Epinephrine is a chemical found in the human body that can be used to stop allergic reactions completely. This medication may be administered by direct injection. Meant for extreme or life-threatening allergic reactions, epinephrine injections work almost instantaneously.

An allergic reaction to milk can often trigger unpleasant symptoms on the skin, including itching or burning sensations. Topical corticosteroid creams can be applied to the skin to provide relief for these symptoms. Overuse of these creams can result in long-term skin damage, so they should be used sparingly. Doctors may prescribe these corticosteroids in a tablet form as a means of providing relief for other symptoms, as well.

Enzymes, such as lactase, that break down milk proteins are commercially available, but work to prevent an allergic reaction to milk before it occurs, rather than to treat it. These enzymes must be taken before dairy products are ingested. By digesting the milk proteins in the stomach, before they reach the bloodstream, these enzymes can prevent many of the global allergy symptoms that appear, including those related to the skin and the respiratory system.

The only certain prevention of an allergic reaction of this nature is to avoid dairy products entirely. Constant monitoring of ingredients is required to ensure that milk is not ingested, however, since milk proteins are found in many foods that may not appear to contain dairy at first. Soy, rice, and almond milk substitutes are all capable of being incorporated into foods to obtain a similar flavor or texture without the risk of an allergic reaction.