Goats are raised mostly for one of two purposes in a commercial setting, either for meat or for milk. Goat milk may not be as popularly sold or consumed as cow milk, but it exists all the same.
Some studies have claimed that goat milk may be a healthier choice than cow milk. With this in mind, goat milk has become a more popular choice than before.
The contents of goat and cow milk are different, so that means that it offers something different at the very list. One popular theory is that people who are lactose intolerant may be able to take goat milk.
With a large percentage of the world’s population being lactose intolerant, then goat milk would be ideal if this is the case.
No more would people have to suffer from indigestion each time they take milk or being unable to take it altogether.
These advantages make goat milk seem more attractive. There is still lactose in goat milk, it just exists in lower concentrations compared to cow milk, allowing more lactose-intolerant people the opportunity to stomach it.
Symptoms of Goat Milk Allergy
Unfortunately, some people are allergic to goat’s milk which can lead to a variety of symptoms including hives, vomiting and even anaphylaxis.
It is important for goat owners to know the signs of allergy so they can take proper precautions when around their goats or have someone who is not allergic care for them.
Lactose intolerance may not be a concern for those who take goat milk, but there are still allergy concerns nonetheless. Thanks to the difference in composition, it may provide discomfort to some people who ingest it.
In addition to consuming the milk, the allergy may also be brought on by-products containing or made from goat milk.
A goat milk allergy doesn’t just mean that a person may be intolerant to goat milk, but rather, that they have a reaction to the milk or something in it.
If a person is allergic to milk in general, then they are likely to experience similar reactions to goat milk.
Though not everyone has an issue with drinking goat milk, there are some who have it worse than others
Allergies are often outgrown by children but some may experience new allergies as an adult or this allergy may become worse over time
For adults who have never had problems with goat milk before, they can still develop new allergies even later in life.
With that in mind, below is a list of some of the symptoms that are associated with goat milk allergy include:
- Itching
- Hives
- Labored breathing
- Swelling of the tongue
- Nausea
- Dizziness
- Abdominal pain
It is worth noting that any of these symptoms can also be caused by other things, so one isolated incident is not conclusive evidence of goat milk allergy.
If you notice any of these symptoms occur immediately after ingesting goat milk, then you can be concerned. It may be worth observing if this happens more than once before you can conclude that it is a case of goat milk allergy.
For a more conclusive verdict, you can consult a doctor immediately after any of the symptoms occur after taking goat milk. It may be more helpful for the diagnosis if the doctor can observe the reaction while it is in progress.
This may not be ideal, but it can be helpful as the doctor have higher chances of pointing out the cause.
The most extreme reaction or evidence of goat milk allergy is death. It is rare as allergy often presents itself mildly at first during which people learn to stay away from certain foods.
It is also important to know that if left unattended, some of these symptoms can result in death. Hence, if you are diagnosed as allergic to any food like goat milk, then you may want to have your allergy medications close to you at all times.
Other things to know regarding goat milk allergy
In addition to minding the symptoms and avoiding goat milk if you’re allergic to it, there are other things you should know that may help.
Goat milk allergy may be hereditary: Just as with most illnesses, goat milk allergy may also be passed down through the blood. This is why when you go to the doctor, they often ask about the history of family members regarding any illness.
For those who have been confirmed to be allergic to goat milk, their offspring may be at risk of being allergic as well. There is also the possibility, however, of the allergy being an isolated case.
Goat milk allergy may be a result of general milk allergy: It is possible for a person to simply be allergic to milk, and this is not limited to that produced by cows or goats.
In the end, it may be down to lactose or something else that all milk has in common.
Regardless, some cases of a goat milk allergy may result in a person having similar reactions from cow milk and others.
The reaction can be different each time: Traditionally, the first instances of goat milk allergy will be mild especially the first time a person experiences it.
This can lead some people to conclude that they can handle any reaction that comes from taking goat milk. This premise is however flawed as each allergic reaction is always different and unique.
While the reaction may be mild and barely an inconvenience, the next may be severe and life-threatening. You should however note that once you have a severe reaction, there is a high possibility that any subsequent reactions will be severe as well.
Age can influence your goat milk allergy: Milk allergy, in general, is something that is mostly associated with children and goat milk allergy is no different.
The older a person gets, there is a higher chance that their body will adjust and milk allergy will become a thing of the past. In some cases, however, a goat milk allergy can also be passed down through the blood and affect both children and adults
It is therefore important to note that even if your age qualifies you as being beyond the risk of being affected by a milk allergy, you should not conclude so without a doctor’s advice.
Goat milk allergy has no cure: Unlike many other illnesses and diseases, there is no known cure or a definite way to prevent a goat milk allergy. The only thing you can do is avoid goat milk once you are aware of the condition.
Some drugs can help limit the reaction, but ultimately, it is best to avoid goat milk completely, unless your body outgrows the allergy.
If you are diagnosed with a goat milk allergy, your doctor will require you to carry an auto-injector pen at all times
If you are ever in a life-threatening situation, your doctor will have given you the proper dosage to use in case of emergency, so be sure not to misplace it.
Final Thoughts
There may be other symptoms associated with goat milk allergy especially since every case of food allergy is different.
So if you feel or notice any discomfort after taking goat milk, you should contact a doctor. You will also need to do this if you think the symptoms were not as mild and they lasted for a longer period of time
If you or your loved one has been diagnosed with goat milk allergy, it is best to be aware, avoid consuming goat milk and seek help immediately in case of any emergencies
It doesn’t matter if the symptom isn’t one of the known symptoms associated with goat milk allergy. The allergy seen can be different for everyone, it is best to err on the side of caution and inform a doctor of all symptoms experienced.
Thankfully, there are a lot of alternatives to goat milk or milk entirely for those who are allergic to it. So, you don’t have to worry about missing out on the essential benefits that are associated with goat milk.
