Can You Have An Allergy Or Sensitivity To The Whey Protein In Milk And Not The Casein Protein?

Posted on Fri, 11 Sep 2020

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Fri, 11 Sep 2020 Answered on

14 hours ago Last reviewed on

Question : Can you have an allergy or sensitivity to the whey protein in milk and Not the casein protein?

Answered by Dr. Drkaushal85 (20 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Less likely to have this.

Detailed Answer:
Thanks for your question,
This kind of allergy is possible but not common.
Any specific allergy test done?
Please reply me answers of above asked questions so that I can guide you better about medicines and investigations.
Wish you good health. Thanks

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Raju A.T

Follow up: Dr. Drkaushal85 (34 minutes later)

Just did one of those hair tests for foods I’m sensitive to
Also have had allergies all my life to chicken and fish.
In the past whey protein hurt my stomach, and milk give me like itchy feeling in mouth abs throat but can tolerate cheese and higher fat dairy pretty well.

Answered by Dr. Drkaushal85 (7 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Ok. Any immunotherapy you have taken?

Detailed Answer:
Thanks for your follow up question,
OK ok. So you have multiple food allergies.
Any treatment taken for this? Immunotherapy?

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Nagamani Ng

Follow up: Dr. Drkaushal85 (24 hours later)

Only take Benadryl when I feel I’m having a reaction. What I’m trying to figure out is if I’m allergic to cheese and milk. So I have eaten cheese all my life no symptoms of allergies. Drank milk and all that for years. I do get stomach irritation when I drank whey protein powder and one time friends poured whey powder on me like a prank. I had issues with that that felt like an allergic reaction. Currently I have been having other GI issues and have eliminated most things from my diet as I have swallowing issues. Been told I have GERD, IBS and possibly eosinophilic esophagitis. I had some packaged mashed potatoes like 2 weeks ago and had what felt like itchy mouth and throat like an allergic reaction which cleared up after taking Benadryl. This is what is having me think maybe milk allergy. But never had any reaction to cheese. Does this sound like a milk allergy? I would love to add cheese back to my diet as I am not eating very many foods right now.

Answered by Dr. Drkaushal85 (6 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Yes, might be milk allergies.

Detailed Answer:
Thanks for your question on Ask a doctor forum.
I can understand your concern.
I have gone through the detailed history you have given.
Yes, possibility of milk allergy is more likely.
Better to get done detailed allergy testing to identify the foods which are allergic in you.
I will be happy to help you further. Wish you good health. Thanks.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Vaishalee Punj

Follow up: Dr. Drkaushal85 (6 hours later)

Can people be sensitive to milk but not cheese. Never had any reaction to cheese

Answered by Dr. Drkaushal85 (20 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Yes, this is possible.

Detailed Answer:
Thanks for your follow up question,
Yes, this is possible.
Hope I have solved your query. If you are not having further queries, then please close the conversation and rate my answer.
You can ask me directly on bit.ly/askdrkaushalbhavsar.
Wish you good health. Thanks.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Nagamani Ng

Follow up: Dr. Drkaushal85 (6 hours later)

How likely is it to be allergic to milk but not cheese?

Answered by Dr. Drkaushal85 (7 hours later)

Brief Answer:
No, that test can not be tell specific allergies.

Detailed Answer:
Thanks for your follow up question,
No, IgE level can not tell about specific allergies.
Raised IgE level tells only about having allergic inflammation.
For specific allergen identification, you need to get done skin prick test.
Have you ever consulted any allergy specialist?

Note: For further information on diet changes to reduce allergy symptoms or to boost your immunity, Ask here.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Kampana