Milk allergy is different from lactose intolerance, although they sometimes present with similar symptoms. Milk allergy is the reaction of the body’s immune system to the presence of milk protein of which there are over thirty found in milk. Most people with a milk allergy will be sensitive to more than one of these proteins. The effect will be tissue formation in the digestive tract, the skin causing eczema, or in the respiratory tract leading to asthma and bronchitis. They will react to even very small amount. Many individuals of all ages develop an allergy as well as an intolerance to milk and milk products. The reaction may occur when a person is sick) e.g with infection, alcoholism, surgery, or trauma); thus, dietitians and nurses should always check to see whether a patient can tolerate milk. If the intolerance is due to a reduced activity of lactase, proper dietary therapy can be implanted. Someone allergic to milk must also avoid many foods containing milk products. Ingesting regular homogenized fresh milk can damage the digestive mucosa of some susceptible individuals, especially children.  The damaged cells bleed continuously but only minute amounts of blood are lost. The result is occult blood loss. Breast milk is much preferred over cow’s milk for babies in order to avoid milk allergy in babies in a family whose members have allergies.  Cow’s milk contains the protein beta-lactoglobulin, which may trigger an allergic reaction, while breatsmilk does not. If an infant has symptoms of milk allergy, special ...
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