What should you know about milk allergy anaphylaxis?

After milk exposure, symptoms may include hives, flushing, swelling of the lips or tongue, vomiting, cough, Wheezing, hoarse voice, throat tightness, dizziness or collapse. Severe reactions can affect breathing or blood pressure, and skin symptoms may be absent. A small amount of milk can matter to someone with a confirmed allergy; lactose intolerance does not cause anaphylaxis.

Symptoms can progress quickly, so waiting to see whether they settle is unsafe when breathing, throat or circulation symptoms are present.

Use the person's prescribed adrenaline auto-injector immediately if anaphylaxis is suspected, then call emergency services and state that anaphylaxis is occurring. Follow the device instructions, keep the person lying down with legs raised unless breathing is easier sitting, and stay with them. Use a second prescribed injector if the emergency plan says to do so and symptoms continue. An antihistamine is not a substitute for adrenaline. Emergency clinicians provide Anaphylaxis Emergency Treatment.

Call emergency services immediately for breathing difficulty, throat or tongue swelling, persistent cough or wheeze, faintness, collapse, or symptoms involving more than one body system after milk exposure. Anyone treated with adrenaline needs emergency observation because symptoms can return. Arrange specialist review after any suspected reaction, including a mild episode, for a written plan, injector training and advice on avoiding hidden milk.

Was this reaction consistent with Food Allergy or an alternative problem? Should I have Allergy Testing? Which foods and labels must I avoid? How many auto-injectors should I carry, and when should family, school or colleagues use them?