Allergy to cow protein

An allergy to cow protein is a common reaction of the body to the introduction of a foreign, unfamiliar protein, respectively, most often an allergy to cow's protein is manifested in children under the age of one year.

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What is the cow protein?

Cow's milk contains more than 20 different protein components, among them only 4 are provocative in the sense of allergic reactions, and the 3 most aggressive are beta-lactoglobulin, casein and alpha-lactoalbumin.

In turn, each of these proteins consists of several fractions. Thus, casein, which occupies a leading position among all proteins (in milk it is almost 80%), contains 5 fractions. Of these, the most significant are alpha-s-casein and alpha-casein. Since casein is not a specific species protein, that is, it is contained not only in milk, with allergies to it, there may be a cross-allergy to different kinds of cheeses, where it is also present. The next in the list of triggers of allergy is beta-lactoglobulin, which is about 10% of the total amount of protein components in milk. Much less in the dairy products of alpha-lactalbumin, its only 2%, however, and such a small amount is capable of provoking an allergic reaction. In addition, this protein, as well as casein, is not specific, it is present in beef. Relatively rarely allergenic lipoproteins, which are contained in milk and butter.

The allergy to cow protein can spread not only to the apparent "culprit" milk, it can be provoked by condensed milk and all those delicious foods that somehow contain at least a minimum of milk ingredients (milk chocolate, white bread, ice cream) . If a person has an allergy only to cheese, and the milk reacts normally, then most likely, the reaction is caused by the molds that are included in the cheese.

Why does the allergy to cow protein develop?

The causes of allergy to cow's protein in adults can be as follows: 

• Genetic predisposition.
• Abundance of specific immunoglobulin responsible for immune response to antigens (IgE).
• Absence of specific enzymes capable of cleaving the peptide chain of milk proteins. It is believed that with age, the body disappears in renin, which can process milk proteins, but this version is still being questioned by nutritionists, since the function of renin is successfully performed by pepsin. 
• Persistent allergy to foods not associated with milk, which is the background for the formation of a reaction to cow protein.

Causes of allergy to cow milk in children:

• Earlier weaning, interruption of breastfeeding.
• Insufficient formation and protection of the digestive tract of the baby.
• Violation of the diet from the nurse: if the mother is allergic to cow protein, respectively, the baby will also suffer from it.
• Low-quality milk formula, which replaces breast milk.
• Too early introduction of complementary foods.

Who is allergic to cow protein?

An allergy to cow protein is most common for young children, when they after a few months of breastfeeding with the usual mother's milk, receive the first lure in the form of an unfamiliar milk formula. Signs of intolerance to cow protein primarily manifested dyspepsia and vomiting, and then there may be skin rashes. Simple elimination (exclusion) of a dairy product from the baby's diet brings noticeable results - allergic anxiety symptoms disappear. Since the age of one year, children are already more tolerant of dairy products, since their digestive (enzymatic) system is practically formed and ready to receive such products.

Adults rarely suffer from intolerance to milk. An allergy to cow protein is more evidence of a dysfunction of the enzyme system. Enzymes are not able to break down the milk proteins, which are poorly tolerated by the body and are rejected in the untreated form. Also, in adults, lactose intolerance is encountered, but this is a completely different dysfunction, which has nothing to do with allergies to proteins.

Symptoms of allergy to cow protein

Most often, the allergy to cow protein flows through the so-called immediate type, and manifests itself in various functional disorders. Nausea, vomiting and diarrhea are the first signs of milk intolerance, then skin reactions may develop as a diffuse rash throughout the body. Allergic rhinitis and asthma attacks are rare. Symptoms of allergy to cow protein can only be digestive disorders without dermatitis, hives, or swelling. The most disturbing, and sometimes threatening, are rapidly developing signs that follow one after another. This can lead to Quincke's swelling and even anaphylactic shock. Especially dangerous is this symptomatology for toddlers and elderly people.

Treatment of allergies to cow protein

In order to neutralize the allergy to cow protein, it is sufficient to exclude the provoking product from the baby's diet and change the mixture to better, hydrolyzed. In adults, the method of treatment is also to eliminate (provoke) provoking dairy products from the menu, with clearly expressed symptoms, you can proceed as follows: 

• Take an over-the-counter antihistamine.
• Take sorbents - activated carbon, Enterosgel.
• To observe a hypoallergenic diet in principle, that is, to exclude not only milk, but also citrus fruits, nuts, mushrooms, honey, cheeses, beef meat.

In case of menacing symptoms in adults and especially in children, you should immediately seek medical help to prevent the swelling of Quincke.

If the allergy to cow protein develops, the following products should be removed from the diet: 

• Hard and soft varieties of cheeses.
• Sour-milk products, including fat-free.
• Beef meat.
• Baking, which is cooked on milk or serum.
• Butter.
• Milk chocolate.
• Ice cream.

Allergy to cow protein is often confused with another syndrome - lactose intolerance, which is different in that the body does not perceive carbohydrates of milk, and not proteins. The most common lactose intolerance is typical for allergy sufferers, and the allergic reaction to cow's milk protein is still a typically childish problem, which is gradually neutralized with a properly selected diet.