How to Live With Allergies to Milk

Having an allergy to milk is very different from being lactose intolerant, and the two are often confused. A milk allergy is caused by an immune system response to the milk protein, or casein. Lactose intolerance occurs when your body lacks the enzyme needed to digest milk sugar, or lactose.

Difficulty: Challenging

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Bioflavonoid Complex
• Bromelain
• Quercetin
• Vitamin C
• Vitamin C

1. Avoid milk and all milk products. This includes yogurt, cheese, cream, butter, ice cream and sour cream.

2. Taking milk digestive aids will not help you tolerate milk if you have a true allergy.

3. Avoid processed foods as much as possible. Milk is a hidden ingredient in many items. Stick with simple, pure, fresh foods - which are more healthful anyway.

4. Read all labels very carefully. Look for the words milk solids, casein, sodium caseinate, lactose or sodium lactylate, as well as any word that begins with "lact." Stay away from products containing these ingredients.

5. Watch out for labels that say "dairy-free." That doesn't necessarily mean that they're milk-free. Many contain casein. Prime culprits are coffee whiteners and nondairy creamers.

6. Avoid products that list "natural flavors" and "seasonings" in their ingredients. They often contain milk products.

7. Call a manufacturer for answers if a product isn't clearly labeled. Many prepared foods - even luncheon meats - use milk as a filler.

8. Be wary of eating canned tuna. Most brands contain lactose in the broth.

9. Check the ingredients on medications and vitamins. Some may contain milk products; for example, a number of liquid antibiotics use lactose as a filler.

10. Check with your doctor or pharmacist if you are unsure about an ingredient.

11. Take care when eating foods containing galactose. It is a byproduct of lactose, the milk sugar, and some people have reactions to it.

12. Buy vegan foods. Vegan foods do not contain any animal products, including milk.

13. Order vegan foods (if available) when traveling on an airplane. This will ensure a milk-free meal.

14. Be diligent in restaurants. Ask what the dish contains. Stick to simple recipes without heavy gravy and sauces, which tend to contain milk.

15. Buy a dairy-free cookbook, or use kosher and vegan cookbooks for milk-free recipes.

16. Remove milk from recipes: Use soy butter or margarine instead of butter, and replace milk with water, fruit juice, soy milk or rice milk. Use a vegetable oil instead of melted butter.

17. Supplement with vitamin C with added bioflavonoids, 1,000 to 5,000 mg daily, and/or quercetin, 500mg twice daily. They both help strengthen the immune system and decrease reaction to allergens.

18. Take 100mg bromelain twice daily. It enhances the absorption of quercetin.

Tips & Warnings

• If you are mildly allergic to milk, you may be able to try milk products again. First abstain from all milk products for at least six months, and then try a small amount. If you don't have a reaction, you may be able to tolerate it occasionally.
• If you have a severe allergic reaction, with symptoms such as wheezing, coughing, or swelling of lips, mouth or throat, get immediate medical help.
• If you have had a severe reaction to milk, do not attempt to reintroduce it. You may be faced with a life-threatening reaction.

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[mymukki]

on 8/23/2009 Please remember a milk allergy is NOT the same as lactose intolerance! If you have no problems drinking Lactate milk or any lactose free milks then YOU DO NOT have a milk allergy. A milk allergy can kill you, your body has an immune reaction to a protein in milk. My boyfriend was dared by his cousins to take a small spoon of ice cream at a wedding, his throat swelled shut and he had anaphylactic shock! The doctor in the emergency room told him he could have died! His usual symptoms to the hidden extra ingredients is a nasty sebaceous eczema on his face and in his hairline -this was how he was diagnosed. It is also how we know there was a hidden milk protein in his food -baked beans, hot dogs, breads and even orange juice often have milk proteins! Often a clue is "Added Protein" it is very easy for food manufacturers to add milk powder to boost protein. DO NOT listen to anyone who say...

[llasidog]

on 3/6/2009 I have often wondered about milk allergy. Could it be related to vaccinations? Casein is often used in the culture medium and it may or may not appear on the package insert. Inactive ingredients do not have to be listed and are protected trade secrets.

on 11/22/2005 You might ask a friend or any one you know who also has a milk allergy. They might be able to help you find the right kinds of bread and the things you need during the first few weeks.