MILK ALLERGY & HOMOEOPATHY

Milk allergy is an atypical immune system response to milk and products containing milk. It's one of the most common food allergies in children. Cow's milk is the usual cause of milk allergy, but milk from sheep, goats, buffalo and other mammals also can cause a reaction.

An allergic reaction usually occurs soon after you or your child consumes milk. Signs and symptoms of milk allergy range from mild to severe and can include wheezing, vomiting, hives and digestive problems. Milk allergy can also cause anaphylaxis — a severe, life-threatening reaction.

SYMPTOMS : Milk allergy symptoms, which differ from person to person, occur a few minutes to a few hours after you or your child drinks milk or eats milk products.

Immediate signs and symptoms of milk allergy might include:

• Hives
• Wheezing
• Itching or tingling feeling around the lips or mouth
• Swelling of the lips, tongue or throat
• Coughing or shortness of breath
• Vomiting
• Loose stools or diarrhea, which may contain blood
• Abdominal cramps
• Runny nose
• Watery eyes
• Colic, in babies

RISK FACTORS: Certain factors may increase the risk of developing milk allergy:

• Other allergies.Many children who are allergic to milk also have other allergies. Milk allergy may develop before other allergies.
• Atopic dermatitis.Children who have atopic dermatitis — a common, chronic inflammation of the skin — are much more likely to develop a food allergy.
• Family history.A person's risk of a food allergy increases if one or both parents have a food allergy or another type of allergy or allergic disease — such as hay fever, asthma, hives or eczema.
• Milk allergy is more common in children. As they age, their digestive systems mature, and their bodies are less likely to react to milk.

CAUSES

All true food allergies are caused by an immune system malfunction. If you have milk allergy, your immune system identifies certain milk proteins as harmful, triggering the production of immunoglobulin E (IgE) antibodies to neutralize the protein (allergen). The next time you come in contact with these proteins, IgE antibodies recognize them and signal your immune system to release histamine and other chemicals, causing a range of allergic signs and symptoms.

There are two main proteins in cow's milk that can cause an allergic reaction:

• Casein,found in the solid part (curd) of milk that curdles
• Whey,found in the liquid part of milk that remains after milk curdles

COMPLICATIONS

Children who are allergic to milk are more likely to develop certain other health problems, including:

• Nutritional deficiencies.Because of dietary restrictions and feeding challenges, children with milk allergy may have slowed growth as well as vitamin and mineral deficiencies.
• Reduced quality of life.Many common, and sometimes unexpected, foods contain milk, including some salad dressings or even hot dogs. If you or your child is severely allergic, avoiding milk exposure may increase stress or anxiety levels when it comes to making food choices

HOMOEOPATHIC MANAGEMENT

Natrum Carb : yellow, watery and gushing stool occur after consuming milk. The stool smells sour, and blood may appear. There is a marked urgency to pass stools along with fetid flatus. There may also be severe abdominal colic present in some cases.

Magnesia Muriatica : stomach ache from milk intake. The abdomen is tensed and sensitive to touch. Other symptoms that may appear include flatulence and vomiting. Magnesia Muriatica is also useful for children who pass milk indigested during their teething period.

Apis Mellifica  : Apis Mellifica are wheals on the skin with a marked burning and stinging sensation. The skin is sensitive to touch, and the face is red and swollen with heat. The person needing Apis Mellifica may experience worsening of symptoms by warmth and relief by cold applications.

Calcarea Carb  : Calcarea Carb is an important homeopathic medicine for milk allergy when there is vomiting after consuming milk. There is nausea, cold sweat, and trembling along with a distended abdomen and cutting pain. In some cases, there may be a cold sensation in the abdomen

Aethusa Cynapium  : The child needing this remedy has vomiting and diarrhea after consuming milk. The milk is intolerable in any form. Soon after taking milk vomiting appears in the form of large curds. Weakness, exhaustion, and sleepiness follow vomiting in the children. Diarrhea with loose, yellow, green and slimy stool may be present.

Pulsatilla Nigricans : milk-based products like creams, pastries, ice cream, butter etc, tend to bring on the reaction. The symptoms appearing from these products include abdominal colic, flatulence, and a distended abdomen. Diarrhea with cutting pain in the abdomen may be present. Other attending symptoms include the sensation of a weight in the stomach, along with nausea and vomiting.