Allergy to cow's milk

Allergy to cow's milk is one of the types of food allergy, which must be differentiated from lactose intolerance (lactase deficiency). Allergy to cow's milk is a specific immune response to protein, inherent only in cow's milk, in other types of milk (sheep, goats), this protein is not. Lactase deficiency is a lack or inadequate production by the body of a specific enzyme - lactase, which is responsible for the process of splitting lactose (milk sugar). Typically, these types of allergies are not completely cured, lactase deficiency is compensated by the intake of special fermenting drugs, another type of milk allergy is corrected by therapeutic actions that restore the intestinal microflora and eliminate dysbacteriosis.

Allergy to cow's milk is rarely an independent disease, most often it develops together with lactase deficiency. It is believed that LN (lactase deficiency) is a secondary disease, as the irritated intestinal medium is not capable of creating conditions for normal microflora and producing the right amount of enzyme. The body does not receive the support of necessary, "useful" lactobacilli and can not break down the milk sugar in full.

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What causes an allergy to cow's milk?

In such a favorite milk, which is strongly associated not only with kids, but also with baby food, there are many different valuable proteins, but four of them are often the cause of an allergic reaction. Milk protein - it's a stranger, unusual for the human body protein or antigen. Antigens that can provoke intolerance to milk, in turn, have a complex structure and are divided into sub-fractions. The most aggressive antigens are beta-lactoglobulin, casein and alpha-lactoalbumin.

The most "heavy" is casein, which takes up almost 80% of the entire structure of cow's milk. Casein consists of subfractions, of which two are the most aggressive in relation to the digestive tract. This is alpha-C casein and alpha casein. If a child is found to be allergic to cow's milk, caused by casein subfractions, then an allergic reaction is possible and for cheese made from milk.

The remaining antigenic proteins (about 10%) are beta-lactoglobulins, which are part of any milk, not just cow's.

Another antigen - alpha-lactoalbumin occupies only 5% of the entire structural space of milk, however, if the organism reacts aggressively to it, allergic manifestations to meat proteins, mainly beef, are possible.

The least dangerous in the sense of allergy are lipoproteins, they have a low density and are a union of lipids and proteins. This antigen is responsible for the allergic reaction to cream and butter.

These antigens are found not only in fresh or boiled milk, they are present in dairy products (dry, condensed). In addition, all products in the formulation of which includes cow's milk, are potentially dangerous in the sense of provocation of allergies (ice cream, milk chocolate, pastries, mayonnaise, cheeses).

How does the cow's milk allergy develop?

Most often, the "debut" of an allergy is noticeable in infants, they switch to a more diverse diet. Any kind of complementary foods that causes a rash, vomiting, diarrhea and other allergic symptoms should be ruled out. The condition of the baby is greatly improved. Moreover, single cases of allergy to cow's milk can not be considered diagnostic. Often by the age of two, the child has all the symptoms that indicate that there was an allergy to cow's milk, even with whole milk products. This phenomenon is connected with the fact that many protective mechanisms are already formed in the same way as the mucous membranes of the digestive tract, and the digestive system itself has become more functional. Allergic manifestations of cow's milk protein are really extremely rare in adults, it is obvious that the body gradually adapts and begins to take before foreign substances. If the allergy to cow's milk is still observed, then, most likely, this is an elementary enzymatic deficiency that needs to be corrected.

Allergy to cow milk in newborns

• Diarrhea, which is not associated with other causes. Quite often stools are observed in the feces, this is one of the serious and dangerous manifestations of allergies.
• Frequent regurgitation, uncharacteristic for normal, functional, reflex regurgitation.
• Diffusive rash all over the body, irritation of the most vulnerable skin areas.
• Irritability, excessive tearfulness of the baby.
• Decreased body weight associated with constant regurgitation and diarrhea.
• Flatulence, much more intense than functional gassing.
• Problems with the respiratory system, swelling.
• Decreased appetite.

[6], [7], [8]

What should I do if I'm allergic to cow's milk?

If an attentive mother has noticed signs of an allergic reaction in the child, the first thing to do is to exclude the provoking product from the baby's menu. Next, you should observe its condition. As a rule, if the provoking dish is not included in the diet, the child already feels better on the second day. Experiments with dosed lure are not permissible, when the allergic dish is started to be given, gradually increasing the portion. A half a teaspoon is enough to create all the conditions for a violent allergic reaction from the digestive tract of the baby. Milk mixtures that cause allergies should be replaced with mixtures based on milk hydrolyzate, that is products containing maximally split milk proteins. These products are hypoallergenic, they are specially developed for children with intolerance to cow's milk proteins. Also it is necessary to pay attention to lactose-free products, in which there is no milk sugar. Antihistamines, which relieve allergic symptoms, should be prescribed only by the attending pediatrician, independence here is unacceptable. The doctor can recommend the use of sparing sorbents, which contribute to the early cleansing of the digestive tract from undigested food.

In case the allergy to cow milk remains as a disease and after the first year of life of the child, all products containing milk protein will have to be excluded from the diet. Lack of calcium is supplemented with soy products, vegetables, which contains this useful trace element. Also useful is goat or sheep's milk, which does not contain provoking proteins.

Allergy to cow's milk, as a rule, is neutralized in the first two years of the child's life, subject to strict diet and all the recommendations of the doctor. In addition, breast milk is recognized as the most useful product for a baby for up to a year or a year and a half throughout the world, since breastfeeding is not only an exception to the risk of an allergic reaction, but also a pledge of strong immunity of the child.