Cow’s milk is one of the most common food allergies affecting infants and young children in Atlanta. And while most children outgrow their allergy before reaching adulthood, a milk allergy carries the threat of anaphylaxis. In attempting to identify the risk factors involved in food allergies, genetics are often discussed. But is a milk allergy hereditary – and what other factors can trigger allergic reactions?
Does a Milk Allergy Run in Families?
If one or both parents have a milk allergy, the likelihood of their child developing a milk allergy is increased. Most children will show symptoms of an allergy before age 5, though allergic reactions can potentially begin at any age. And while having a family member with an allergy does raise a child’s chances of developing symptoms, most babies with allergies do not have a known family history of allergies. This is why parents should be vigilant, and contact an allergist if concerning signs are identified.
Similarly, genetic links are present in people with milk intolerance. There are actually differences between a milk allergy and intolerance, with allergies posing a more serious threat. In addition, intolerance is more likely to be found in adults than children.
Studies Into Milk Allergies and Genetics
While the hereditary nature of a milk allergy has been identified, work on genetic determinants is still ongoing. One review that collected data from 32 food allergy studies found that issues such as small sample sizes limited the reliability of the findings.
A promising study identified two single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) linked with cow’s milk allergy in children. SNPs are essentially a common type of genetic variation. Therefore, their presence could potentially be used to identify the likelihood of a child expressing milk allergy symptoms. In the referenced study, the SNP rs17616434 (P = .002) was found close to the toll-like receptor 6 (TLR6) gene, and the rs2069772 (P = .038) SNP was discovered at the interleukin 2 (IL2) locus.
Risk Factors Associated With Milk Allergies
While genetics play a role in milk allergies, other factors can indicate if a person is likely to show symptoms. Age is a factor, with children far more likely than adults to experience milk allergies. If an individual has additional allergies or asthma, this can increase the chances of having an allergy to milk. Finally, food allergies are more prevalent in children that have atopic dermatitis.
How Will an Allergist Treat Milk Allergies?
Naturally, people will be worried about allergic reactions to milk or other foods. But with the help of medications and oral immunotherapy treatment, the impact of an allergy can be minimized.
Before your allergist provides a comprehensive milk allergy treatment plan, they will need to diagnose the allergy. Typically, skin prick testing is the favored procedure to determine if milk proteins are responsible for allergic reactions. During this test, small amounts of various allergens are placed on the skin before the top layer is gently pricked. If a person is allergic to the substance, the skin at the puncture location will become red, itchy and may develop a small raised bump (wheal).
After a diagnosis, your allergist will develop a personalized milk allergy management plan. Initially, avoiding exposure to milk proteins like casein and whey is vital for preventing allergic reactions. Your allergist may also prescribe an epinephrine auto-injector as an emergency response in case of anaphylaxis. For long-term management, oral immunotherapy treatment is an effective way to reduce immune system sensitivity. Patients consume gradually increasing doses of milk protein to build tolerance and prevent allergic reactions.
Start Treating Your Milk Allergy
Chacko Allergy, Asthma and Sinus Center helps patients deal with allergies to milk, peanuts, eggs and other foods. When you need reliable milk allergy diagnosis and treatment, visit one of our centers. Call (678) 668-4688 or make an appointment today.
