Surviving With A Dairy Allergy

Introduction

Can you name the top 5 food allergies among adults in the US? You might have thought shellfish or peanuts, and you were right. But did you know that dairy is also in the top 5 food allergens? Not only is dairy in the top 5 allergens, it’s also second on that list. Dairy is a common food allergy that causes the immune system to react to dairy proteins. The reaction can be mild or severe, and it can affect anyone at any age. You may be surprised to learn that the symptoms of a dairy allergy are often mistaken for other conditions, such as stomach flu or lactose intolerance. In my case, stomach flu, weak immune system, and ear infections!

It is a fact that some of us have food allergies

Food allergies are a type of immune reaction. They occur when the body’s immune system mistakenly identifies a protein in food as harmful and attacks it. Allergens can be found in any type of food, but some common culprits include dairy, peanuts and shellfish. The symptoms of a food allergy can vary. Some people may only experience mild symptoms such as hives, while others may have severe reactions including anaphylaxis (an extreme form of allergic reaction). Symptoms of a food allergy can range from mild to severe, and they may appear immediately or up to two to three hours after eating the food. Mild symptoms can include tingling in your mouth and lips, itchy skin or hives. More severe reactions include swelling of the throat or tongue and difficulty breathing.

Avoiding these foods can help prevent an allergic reaction from happening at all–though this isn’t always possible if you’re dining out or attending events where there are no food options available for you. In such cases, knowing how to manage an allergic reaction will ensure that you stay safe until medical assistance arrives on scene!

Dairy allergy is the second most common food allergy in Americans after shellfish

Dairy allergy is the second most common food allergy in Americans after shellfish. According to the American College of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology (ACAAI), 1.3% of people in the US are affected by dairy allergies–that’s approximately 3 million people!

The most common symptoms include hives and swelling; itching may also occur if your skin comes into contact with milk products. The most common triggers are cow’s milk, cheese and ice cream, though other foods like yogurt can also cause problems for some people who have this condition. Goat, sheep, and even camels milk may cause an allergic reaction for some people who have a dairy allergy. It can be hard to diagnose because many people who have it don’t know they do until they experience a reaction after eating something containing dairy products that they thought would be safe for them–and even then it may take years or even decades before you figure out what exactly caused your reaction!

I suffered a severe allergic reaction when I ate dairy

I was diagnosed with a dairy allergy in my thirties. I spent the majority of my life trying to find out the cause of my numerous “stomach flu”, why my ear infections persisted well into adulthood, and why my cheeks, nose, and arms were covered in a red rash (normal teenage skin?). My life saving diagnosis came from a visit with an audiologist to discuss my hearing loss from persistent ear infections and multiple ruptured ear drums. She listened to me and inquired about my medical history. Then she shocked my mother and I with her diagnosis. Have I considered that I may be allergic to dairy? 90 percent of people who suffer from recurring ear infections as adults can trace their symptoms back to an undiagnosed dairy allergy.

I have had a handful of attacks throughout my life, including a memorable moment where I vomited in the middle of Target after eating pizza. I would like to share with you a few details from my most recent allergic reaction, which took place during lunch at work. A mix-up with leftovers in my lunch at work set off this latest attack, which led me to be admitted into the hospital for treatment and recovery time. I never thought that I would have to put my emergency plan into action while at work, but my co-workers know that dairy is a problem for me. After I realized that I had accidentally ingested cheese – in the break room, no less! – a co-worker went to inform our boss. When I felt an allergic reaction coming on, I took Benadryl and called my parents to come get me. The first step in my emergency plan is Benadryl—but if it’s not enough or if the symptoms are getting worse (such as throat swelling or difficulty breathing), then I’m supposed to call 911 and administer an Epipen. My boss made a co-worker stay with me while I waited for my parents to arrive. We went over the steps of my emergency plan and how he would administer an Epipen if needed. By the time I arrived at the hospital, I was having difficulty breathing. My temperature and pulse were taken; my blood pressure was so high that it set off alarms! I was immediately admitted to the ER, much to the annoyance of those waiting. I received steroid shots (“I’m sorry this is going to hurt”) and an emergency inhaler. A discussion about whether I should be put on oxygen also took place. I was monitored by doctors for several hours before being discharged.

It is frightening to be unable to breathe. You’re chest is tightening up and feels like you have an elephant holding a ton of bricks sitting on your chest. Every breathe becomes a struggle of herculean effort. You’re exhausted, you feel like you can’t do anything. You just want to lay down and sleep. The anxiety of not being able to breath is crippling and terrifying. I will say that the hospital staff was amazing. They were very caring, and made me feel like they had everything under control.

I was put on Benadryl, Pepcid and anti nausea medication for the next one to two weeks. Something that people are unaware of is that it can take up to 72 hours – 3 days! – for the allergen to fully leave the system (body). Even then, your body is still recovering from the trauma of the attack itself. It took me a full week before I was able to recover fully to 100 percent. The sheer exhaustion! I felt like I had been run over by a train at top speed, then it reversed and ran me over again! While this is all going on, the mental affects kick in. I had to learn to trust myself with food. Imagine fearing everything you ate. It took time to be able to eat anything without feeling like it would kill me. I felt weak and tired all the time and my body hurt. The first few days were very hard as I tried to get back into a normal routine.

Living with and surviving a food allergy creates many mental challenges

Living with a food allergy can present a range of mental challenges that can affect a person’s quality of life. Here are some of the common mental challenges that I have faced:

Anxiety

I feel anxious when I think about accidentally eating dairy products, especially at social gatherings where food is served. This can lead to avoidance of certain situations or foods, which can impact my social life and relationships. I often feel anxious when I’m not sure if foods contains dairy. If I have to eat out or attend social events, I can become very stressed about what to order and whether it will contain dairy. This can lead to me avoiding certain situations or foods entirely. Worrying about how my allergy will affect those around me can also be stressful. I am often worried about whether or not people understand what it means to have food allergies and how serious they can be. This can sometimes lead to feeling alone and isolated because it feels like no one else understands what I’m going through.

Fear

Fear of having a severe allergic reaction, or anaphylaxis, can be a constant source of stress for me. This fear can be heightened by news reports of severe allergic reactions or by the experiences of friends or family members with food allergies. I am often afraid that I will have a severe allergic reaction and not be able to get help quickly enough. I am also afraid that I will have a severe reaction and not be able to get help because people do not understand food allergies. This can make me feel like I have to constantly explain what having a life-threatening allergy means, and why it is important for people to take it seriously.

Depression

Living with a food allergy can be isolating and stressful, which can lead to feelings of depression, especially when I feel that my quality of life is negatively affected by my dairy allergy. I have felt depressed because it is difficult to eat out, and I often have to explain my allergy to new people. This can be frustrating and embarrassing. I have also felt depressed because I sometimes feel like my allergy is not taken seriously by people who do not understand it. I am frustrated when people dismiss my concerns or say that having a food allergy is no big deal.

Stigma

I feel stigmatized or misunderstood by others who do not understand the severity of my condition or who may make insensitive comments or jokes. Other people may think that I am exaggerating the severity of my condition or they may think that I am being too cautious with my food choices. I am frustrated by the lack of understanding people have about my condition. I am often accused of being “too picky” but these accusations are not true. I feel like people do not take my condition seriously or understand that it is very serious, even life-threatening.

Difficulty with adherence

Strict adherence to an allergen-free diet can be challenging, especially when eating out or traveling. This can lead to feelings of frustration or guilt if I accidentally consume dairy. I often feel that I have to apologize for my condition or explain why I am choosing not to eat something. This can be very frustrating because I do not think it is anyone’s business what foods I choose to eat or how much. I am often worried about eating out and whether or not my food will be safe, especially if I don’t have time to read the menu before going out. When traveling, I have to research ahead of time where I can eat safely; if there is a lack of information online then it can be difficult to find something that is safe for me.

Lactose intolerance is different from a dairy allergy

The biggest misconception I face when explaining my dairy allergy is people assuming that lactose intolerance and a dairy allergy are the same thing. Lactose intolerance and milk allergy are two different conditions that can cause similar symptoms but have different underlying cause. People with lactose intolerance do not produce enough lactase, the enzyme that breaks down lactose. Lactose intolerance is a digestive disorder that causes symptoms like bloating, cramps, gas and diarrhea. It’s not an allergic reaction–the body just can’t digest lactose (the sugar found in milk) properly. Lactose intolerance can be treated with dietary changes such as avoiding dairy products or taking Lactaid pills before eating dairy foods. It is a common condition that affects up to 65% of the world’s population. However, this won’t help if you have a dairy allergy–it’s different from lactose intolerance because it involves your immune system instead of your digestive system.

A food allergy is an immune system reaction to a certain kind of food. Dairy allergy is a type of food allergy that occurs when the immune system mistakenly identifies the proteins in milk as harmful substances and triggers an allergic reaction. The immune system is responsible for protecting your body from foreign invaders like germs and viruses, but when it mistakes something harmless like a dairy, peanut or shellfish for a threat, it can cause an allergic reaction. Milk allergy can cause a range of symptoms, including hives, itching, swelling, wheezing, abdominal pain, vomiting, nausea, difficulty breathing and anaphylaxis. I have experienced all of those symptoms in various combinations.

Food allergies are hard to diagnose

There are many different types of food allergies, and they can be difficult to test for. An allergist may use blood tests or skin tests to determine if you have a food allergy, but these tests don’t always work. In fact, sometimes they’re not even accurate at all! The best methods to use for diagnoses are an oral food challenge or elimination diet. I was instructed to follow an elimination diet: I had to stop eating dairy products in order to determine if they were causing my allergic reactions. For two weeks, I eliminated all dairy from my diet. After two weeks there were no symptoms or reactions. In fact, my health had drastically improved! My doctor had informed me that if I was indeed allergic to dairy, after two weeks the results would be blatantly obvious. I have been living, embracing and surviving with my dairy-free lifestyle every sense.

The symptoms of a dairy allergy attack can be severe enough to warrant hospitalization

The symptoms of a dairy allergy attack can be severe enough to warrant hospitalization. The most common symptoms include:

• Skin reactions, such as hives, rashes and swelling of the lips and mouth (angioedema)
• Digestive problems such as nausea and vomiting
• Respiratory issues like wheezing or shortness of breath

Rashes and hives, which can appear anywhere on the body, swelling of the lips, tongue or throat, difficulty breathing, wheezing or coughing, and in severe cases anaphylactic shock can occur. Symptoms can come on quickly or take a few hours to appear. They may resolve within a few hours or may last for several days. In some cases, symptoms can be life-threatening. The most serious allergic reactions require immediate medical attention.

How long does it take to recover from a food allergy attack?

It depends on the severity of your reaction. For example, if you have a mild reaction (such as hives or a rash), it may take up to 24 hours for your symptoms to subside. If you experience a more severe reaction (like nausea, vomiting and breathing difficulties), then it could take up to 48 hours for them to go away completely. If you’ve been prescribed medication by a doctor in order to treat an allergy attack, then this will also affect how long it will take before things get better again! That is only for the symptoms to subside. The body still needs more time to recover from the trauma of the allergy attack.

How Long Does A Food Allergen Stay In Your Body?

Food allergens can be detected in the body for up to 72 hours after exposure, but how long it takes for an allergy to disappear depends on the severity of your reaction and other factors. If you only have a mild reaction to dairy, such as hives or itching on your hands, then it may be gone within 24 hours. However, if you suffer from more severe symptoms like vomiting or diarrhea after consuming dairy products (or even just one), then this could last longer than three days because your body has been exposed to something that shouldn’t be there–and therefore needs time to recover from whatever damage has been done by that particular allergen before it can heal itself back up again! If you have a severe reaction to dairy, such as anaphylaxis (which can be life-threatening), then this may take longer to disappear. The severity of your symptoms will determine how long it takes for your body to recover from an allergic reaction; generally speaking, the more serious these symptoms are, the longer they will take to go away.

Conclusion

I hope all of you food allergy sufferers out there are able to find some level of comfort reading this blog post. If you have a food allergy, you likely know the frustration of living with this condition—between hidden allergens and not knowing what ingredients to look for, simply going out for a meal becomes a lot more difficult. I’ve expressed my frustration, anxiety, and fears. A dairy allergy can be my worst enemy, but it doesn’t have to control my destiny. I treat it as a challenge rather than an insurmountable wall; overcoming it through knowledge, compassion, and medical vigilance. Most importantly, never let myself succumb to fear or despair. Like so many things in my life, fighting a dairy allergy is difficult, but I am a survivor!

Thanks for stopping by Surviving Joy! I’m so glad you’ve found me! I’d love to hear from you, so feel free to drop a comment below or shoot me an email on my contact page with any questions or concerns. I’m always looking for new ways to improve my content and make it more useful, so if there’s anything in particular you want me to write about, please don’t hesitate to reach out! If you’re interested in receiving email updates when new posts go up on my site, just click the subscribe button at the top of the page—it’s easy and free, and you’ll never miss out on anything new!

Sources:

https://www.foodallergy.org/resources/food-allergy-facts-and-statistics-us

https://www.foodallergy.org/common-allergens/milk-allergy

https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/food-allergy/diagnosis-treatment/drc-20355101

https://www.foodallergy.org/resources/food-allergy-myths-and-misconceptions

https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/milk-allergy/symptoms-causes/syc-20375101

https://www.aaaai.org/Tools-for-the-Public/Conditions-Library/Allergies/Food-Intolerance

https://www.aaaai.org/Tools-for-the-Public/Conditions-Library/Allergies/Food-Labels

https://www.godairyfree.org/dairy-free-information/new-to-the-dairy-free-diet-start-here

https://www.godairyfree.org/dairy-free-questions-and-answers

https://www.godairyfree.org/dairy-free-information/milk-allergies-mild-to-life-threatening

• Facebook
• Facebook
• Instagram
• Instagram