Allergic to Dairy?

My foster daughter is allergic to dairy. She has had a runny nose a lot, still has acid reflux, and has frequent ear infections. A friend suggested this might be the cause so I mentioned it to the doctor. I also happened to glance at her medical records and noticed she used to be on soy formula. Hmmmm.

I decided to go to the grocery and really check the food labels closely to find out how many things we consume actually have milk in them. I was shocked at how many things contain milk/dairy products. Pardon the pun, but holy cow!!! My first thought was, "Is there ANYTHING she can eat?" Elizabeth loves any kind of dairy -- cheese and yogurt especially. Looks like I will searching for alternatives to her current diet.

What is an Allergy?
An allergy is an immune response that results in inflammation and tissue damage. The reaction can occur in any part of the body, so there are many problems that can come along with that. Sometimes your body has a difficult time absorbing nutrients, which in and of itself can cause problems like osteoporosis and anemia.

Possible Milk Allergy Symptoms?
Some of the most common complaints include ear infections (usually in children, sinus problems, heartburn/reflux, constipation, diarrhea, and irritable bowel syndrome. There is a wide range of other symptoms, but the symptoms above are the most common.

What is Considered Dairy?
Anything from a cow. But be careful. It's not just the most common things you think of like milk, yogurt and cheese. Check the labels on all your groceries like I did. I promise you -- you will be surprised at how many things are now off-limits.

What is Lactose Intolerance?
Lactose intolerance is a deficiency of the enzyme lactase. Lactase is the enzyme that digests the milk sugar lactose. People with a lactose intolerance typically experience an upset stomach, bloating, gas, and loose stools. These are also common symptoms of a dairy allergy, so sometimes it's had to tell the difference unless you have testing done. It's a simple blood test.

Finding out you or your child has to cut out dairy can at first seem overwhelming. It seemed that way to me. I tried to gradually switch everything over and it's good to know that more products are becoming available all the time.