Have you experienced hives, bloating, cramps and diarrhea right after consuming butter? If the answer is yes, you must be suffering from butter allergy. What causes this allergy? The milk proteins present in butter are the reason behind the allergic reaction. People with milk allergy can develop butter allergy as similar proteins are present in both these products.
Many children overcome their milk allergy by the time they are 3 years old, and as a result also overcome allergy to butter.
Symptoms of Butter Allergy:
- Hives
- Rashes
- Abdominal bloating
- Abdominal cramps
- Diarrhea
In rare cases, butter can cause a severe allergic reaction known as anaphylaxis. Dizziness, low blood pressure and breathlessness are some of the symptoms of anaphylaxis. An epinephrine should be injected immediately if these symptoms are observed in the patient.
Preventing Butter Allergy:
Cookies, cakes and other baked/processed food products contain butter and people with allergies should avoid such products. Soy butter and other forms of butter can be substituted to prevent the allergy.
Treatment of Butter Allergy:
Antihistamines and corticosteroids can help a patient in overcoming the allergic reaction. In case of a severe allergic reaction, the patient should be immediately injected epinephrine. Allergy shots or immunotherapy is a long-term treatment for butter allergy. It involves injecting a small quantity of milk protein gradually over a period of time.
If you suspect an allergy to butter, do consult your allergist and take up allergy tests. Proper diagnosis, treatment and prevention can help you to overcome the allergy.
Peanut Butter Allergy Symptoms:
Skin Symptoms
Allergic reactions to peanut butter can begin anywhere between a few seconds to a few hours. One common symptom is hives, which are red, raised welts that are very itchy. Another symptom is eczema, which leads to rough, red, itchy patches on the skin.
Intestinal Symptoms
Peanut butter allergy can cause such symptoms as diarrhea, stomach cramps, vomiting and nausea. Itching and redness may occur around the mouth. Tingling, swelling and itching may happen inside the mouth and throat.
Lung Symptoms
Peanut butter allergy can also cause asthma-like symptoms such as sneezing, coughing and wheezing. Other symptoms may resemble allergic rhinitis such as congested or runny nose and itchy, watery and red eyes.
