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Milk allergy

Milk allergy

What is a milk allergy?

Milk allergy affects 2-5% of all children, and is caused by the body's immune system overreacting to milk proteins or milk peptides (parts of milk proteins). Every time the body ingests milk, the overreaction (allergic reaction) is triggered.

With lactose intolerance, the body is unable to break down milk sugar. This is not dangerous, but can be uncomfortable and cause pain in the gastrointestinal system. It is not an allergy, but an intolerance.

Symptoms of milk allergyEverything from mild to very severe allergic reactions can occur in milk allergy sufferers. The most common reactions and symptoms are:

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  • Skin reactions such as eczema and hives

  • Abdominal painh

  • Unrest

  • Reduced growth development

  • Nausea

  • Vomiting

  • Diarrhea

  • Constipation

  • Shortness of breat

  • In infants, blood in the stool can be a symptom of a milk allergy.

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Milk allergy in children and infants

Milk is the food that toddlers most often react to. The milk allergy usually appears already in the first year of life, and usually occurs when the child starts on formula or porridge. 9 out of 10 outgrow the allergy before they reach school age. Some infants may also react to the mother drinking milk, as milk proteins can be transferred into the breast milk.

Breast milk contains a lot of lactose, and lactose intolerance is therefore unusual in infants and young children.

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Which ingredients must you avoid with a milk allergy?

People with a milk allergy must avoid all products containing milk proteins. This applies not only to milk, but also to many other dairy products. Remember that mixed products often have added milk powder, margarine, cream and the like. It is therefore important to read the product declaration thoroughly. Milk from goats should also be avoided, as milk from other mammals is very similar to cow's milk.

Please note that milk can be written in many different ways in a product declaration.

Ingredients that must be avoided if you have a milk allergy:

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  • Milk/milk protein/milk solids/milk powder

  • cottage cheese

  • Feta cheese

  • Cultured milk

  • Skimmed milk powder

  • Dry milk

  • Cream

  • Sour cream

  • Creme fraiche

  • Ice cream

  • Casein/caseinate/sodium caseinate

  • Lactalbumin

  • Whey/whey powder

  • Cheese/cheese powder

  • Buttermilk powder

  • Butter/margarine

  • Whey

  • Whey

  • Yogurt/yogurt powder

  • Whey

  • Lactose

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Which products can you use?

Certain names can have the word milk in them without containing milk. Examples of this include lactic acid, coconut milk, soya milk, almond milk, rice milk and oat milk. These products are safe to consume for those with milk allergies.

Many products that do not contain milk are nevertheless marked with "may contain traces of milk". If you are very sensitive and have a severe allergic reaction after consuming even very small amounts of milk, you should avoid trace-marked products.

If a milk allergy is suspected in a breastfed infant, it may be relevant for the mother to follow a milk-free diet as long as she is breastfeeding. Alternatively, there are breast milk substitutes that infants with a milk allergy can use.

It is important that you get the nutrients that milk contains in other ways. Children under the age of 3 need full-fledged infant formula from a pharmacy. In the case of a proven milk allergy, this is given on a blue prescription until the child turns 10 years old. Contact a nutritionist or doctor for help with the right diet.

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Milk protein intolerance

Milk protein intolerance is a term that can be used if you are unable to demonstrate a milk allergy, but it is quite clear from dietary tests that milk is not tolerated.

See tips for milk protein-free products here.

If you want to contact an experienced nurse about milk allergy or lactose intolerance, you can contact the LHL Asthma and allergy advice service.

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When should a doctor be contacted?

In case of prolonged stomach pain or diarrhoeaIn case of bloody stoolsIn case of symptoms of or suspected milk allergy

Sources: LHL Asthma and Allergy and Norwegian electronic drug handbook.

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