Milk Allergy: An Overview

Milk allergy is an adverse immune reaction to one or more of the proteins in cow\\\\\\\'s milk and/or the milk of other animals—proteins that are normally harmless to the non-allergic individual. Similar condition is lactose intolerance but both are distinct conditions as in milk allergy there is allergic reactions but latore condition is non-allergic food senstivity due to lack of producion of lactase. It is basically a condition encountered in infants but cases of milk allergy are also seen in children and adults. The cause of milk allergy is its protein fractions (allergens) that cause allergic reactions. The signs of milk allergy may exhibit in skin, GIT and respiratory tract. Milk allergy may be divided into three broad categories type-1, type-2 and type-3 depending upon the occurrence of the symptoms after ingestion of milk. It may be diagnosed based on symptoms, by skin prick test, cap rast test etc. For its treatment better way is avoidance of milk or substitution of milk with similar diets, its medication and vaccination is also available.