Allergy to milk in children

This kind of food allergy, like milk allergy in children, is very common. Usually the disease begins with the first birth of the baby and passes to two years of his life.

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Why is there an allergy to milk in children?

Scientists have long proven that the predisposition to milk allergy in children is higher if the parents of these children in childhood also had an allergic reaction to this product.

The most common allergy to milk occurs in children who are on artificial feeding. The most pronounced allergen is cow's milk, the second place belongs to the mother's milk, on the third - goat's milk and, finally, the fourth place is given to sheep's milk.

Cow milk in its composition has high-temperature resistant proteins, so even with careful cooking, allergenic milk remains at a high level. The main causative agent of allergy is casein - milk protein, but it almost does not concede lactose, or milk sugar. It should be noted that one should not confuse allergy to milk in children and lactose deficiency. Lactose insufficiency is called intolerance of dairy products due to reduced activity or complete absence of the enzyme, by means of which splitting of milk sugar - lactose - occurs. Both these pathologies are very similar in their symptoms, so it is only the doctor who can determine the exact diagnosis.

An allergic reaction to mother's milk usually occurs if the future mother drank cow's milk during pregnancy. Casein in this situation penetrates through the placenta into the fetal bloodstream, and the born baby already has all the "chances" of experiencing allergies. An allergic reaction to the mother's milk is also possible if the lactating woman consumes in large quantities allergen products: prawns, nuts, chocolate, citrus fruits, etc. It is for this reason that the newly minted mother gives out a list of products that are not subject to consumption for the period of breastfeeding.

How is milk allergy manifested in children?

The most frequent symptoms of this kind of allergy are loose stools, bloating, vomiting, colic in the abdomen, nausea, crying immediately after feeding. Some children experience skin rashes - diathesis. Also, many babies are exposed to lacrimation, shortness of breath, and secretions from the nasal sinuses. In addition, milk allergy in children is often manifested by a loose stool with an admixture of mucous impregnations, the feces can be watery with bloody veins.

However, one should not make hasty conclusions, because these symptoms are typical for a number of other diseases, for example, infectious breed. For this reason, it is required to take the baby to the doctor as soon as possible to diagnose the source of the disease and eliminate its consequences.

What should I do if I have an allergy to the milk of a child?

In case of allergies to milk in children, especially the mother, you can not immediately give up breastfeeding. It is only necessary to slightly adjust the diet of the nursing woman, and the child will begin to feel good.

In the bulk of children, milk allergy to about 2-3 years of life finally passes, but in some it persists throughout the life period. Such people are forced to adhere to a special diet all the time, the deviation from which threatens with health problems.

First of all, when treating this type of allergy, doctors prescribe to the patient the refusal to take products containing protein casein. Secondly, the mother must exclude from the diet food-allergens. Thirdly, in the event that the child's allergy is still present, despite the measures taken, it is transferred to artificial feeding with special mixtures.

Allergy to milk in children - the disease is quite common and there are many ways to treat it. Therefore, at the first sign of such an allergy should seek help from a doctor.