Allergy, Milk Test
About milk allergy test
One of the most common types of food allergies is a milk allergy. When you consume (eat or drink) one or more milk proteins, your immune system has an adverse reaction to these proteins. The most frequent cause of a milk allergy is cow's milk. Other animal milks, such as goat's and sheep's milk, might also cause your immune system to have a negative reaction. Severe milk allergy can cause anaphylaxis. Anaphylaxis is a potentially fatal allergic reaction symptom in which breathing becomes difficult due to the narrowing of the airways.
Milk allergy test is used to tell if a patient has an allergy to milk or milk proteins by looking for IgE antibodies in the blood. In response to the milk allergen, antibodies are created that are measured by this blood test.
Therefore, undergoing a milk allergy test will confirm a milk allergy diagnosis and assist in avoiding a bad allergic reaction.
Symptoms of milk allergy
Within minutes of consumption of milk or milk products an allergic reaction is usually seen. Different people's symptoms may range in severity. Symptoms include
Difficulty in breathing
Diarrhea
Red patches and rashes
Nausea and vomiting
Tingling or swelling in the tongue, lips or throat
Drop in blood pressure
Dizziness
Confusion
Causes of milk allergy
Proteins in milk cause your immune system to overreact if you have a milk allergy. In milk, there are primarily two types of protein
Casein
-
Casein is a by-product of milk that forms when milk is spoilt and solidifies (curdles). It is also present in cheese and yogurt. It makes up about 80% of the protein in milk and gives milk it’s white colour.
Whey
-
When liquid part of milk curdles, the byproduct known as whey is produced and 20% of the protein in milk comes from whey.
An allergic reaction can be caused due to one or both of these proteins.
Foods to avoid if you have milk allergy
You can have an allergy to the following types of food including
Milk in all forms
Milk from mammals
Buttermilk
Cheese
Cottage cheese and curds
Custard, yogurt and pudding
Sour cream
Preparation for the test
No special preparation is required.
How is milk allergy diagnosed?
Antibody type IgE test: This blood allergy test measures immunoglobulin E (IgE) antibodies in your blood. Our body produces IgE antibodies in response to a specific food like milk and milk products when we might be allergic to it.
Skin test: Your skin is pricked with a needle and small amount of milk proteins is placed on the skin. If you are allergic to milk, you will experience an allergic reaction such as a raised bump on the skin surface where the food was placed.
Graded oral challenge: Your allergist might suggest a graded oral challenge to conclusively diagnose whether you are allergic to milk. During a graded oral challenge, you will consume a small amount of milk. After that, your allergist will keep an eye on you to see if a reaction occurs. You might be required to progressively consume more milk to observe how your body responds.
Interpretation of results
The relative amount of IgE antibody to specific milk components can help identify the strength and type of allergenic response.
|
Class |
IgE kU/L |
Interpretation |
|
0 |
<0.35 |
Negative |
|
1 |
0.35-0.69 |
Equivocal |
|
2 |
0.70-3.49 |
Positive |
|
3 |
3.50-17.4 |
Positive |
|
4 |
17.5-49.9 |
Strongly positive |
|
5 |
50.0-99.9 |
Strongly positive |
|
6 |
> or =100 |
Strongly positive |
Deviation from normal levels indicates the following:
· The likelihood of developing an allergic disease is increased by the presence of IgE antibodies in serum (Class 1 or greater).
If your total IgE level is elevated, this might be indicative of a milk allergy.
FAQs
What happens during antibody type IgE testing for milk allergy?
A blood sample is collected from a vein in your arm using a small needle. Usually, this process does not take more than 5 minutes.
What are the risks associated with an antibody type IgE blood test?
This test involves negligible risk. There might be slight soreness or tenderness around the site where the blood is drawn. Rarely, the site can become infected.
What is the turnaround time (TAT) for the IgE based antibody blood test?
Test results of an IgE based blood test are usually available after 6 working days, although it could take longer at times.
When should I go for a milk allergy test?
It is recommended to take milk allergy test when you notice any specific symptoms/ reactions after consuming milk or milk product containing foods.
What happens if the test result is abnormal?
If your test results show that you have a milk allergy, your doctor or allergist will work with you to develop a plan to avoid foods that are unsafe. The doctor will also write you a prescription for an emergency medicine called epinephrine, which you should always carry in case of a serious allergic reaction.
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