Sheep milk is obtained from the milk of domestic sheep. Sheep milk can cause allergy resulting in skin reactions, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting and other allergic symptoms. People with cow milk allergy are most likely to be allergic to sheep milk and vice versa. To avoid an allergy to sheep milk, one has to avoid sheep milk, cheese and other products made from sheep milk.
Causes of Sheep milk Allergy:
Sheep milk allergy is caused due to the proteins present in the sheep milk. Our immune system perceives the sheep milk proteins as harmful and reacts against it. This results in an allergic reaction.
Symtoms:
Symptoms of allergies to sheep milk include hives, rashes, redness, diarrhea, vomiting, nausea, abdominal cramps. In severe cases, the reaction can also result in breathlessness, dizziness, low blood pressure. These are the symptoms of severe allergic reaction known as anaphylaxis. In such cases, an epinephrine should be immediately to prevent further complication.
Preventing Sheep Milk Allergy:
- Strictly avoid sheep milk. You can try switching to soy milk or rice milk
- Avoid sheep milk by products such as cheese
- Avoiding cow’s milk is recommended as most people with allergies to cow milk also have sheep milk allergy
Treatment:
Allergy testing can be done to check for allergy. Blood test (RAST) and skin prick test are usually done for testing. Do consult your allergist for allergy testing. If you have an allergy, your allergist can prescribe antihistamines or corticosteriods to prevent an allergic reaction.
Sheep milk allergy can be prevented by avoiding all forms of sheep milk. Once should also avoid cow milk and goat milk, as people with an allergy to sheep milk are more likely to be allergic to cow milk and goat milk.
