Allergy to the mixture: how manifests itself and what to do?

Allergy to formula, unfortunately, is a common occurrence in artificial feeding of babies. Allergy not only in children, but also in adults, today is acquiring all the signs of an epidemic. This phenomenon is associated with many factors, but in children fed with formula, allergic reactions are explained by increased sensitivity to food components - alimentary allergy.

Statistics say that food allergies account for about 50% of all forms and types of allergies. There are also already confirmed statistics that over the past two decades, the number of children suffering from food intolerance has increased tenfold. Milk protein allergy is becoming a problem not only for babies receiving formula, but for many adults as well.

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Why does an allergy to formula occur?

Allergy to the mixture is explained by the general mechanism of pathogenesis of alimentary allergy. The digestive organs do not accept foreign milk protein, especially in newborns whose digestive tract is not yet formed. The baby's body perceives milk protein as an antigen, unlike the protein of mother's milk. The mucous membrane of the gastrointestinal tract of an infant is extremely vulnerable, its permeability is high, the fermentation process is imperfect. Thus, foreign milk protein penetrates the blood quite quickly practically undegraded, without meeting adequate protection. The only thing that the child's immune system can do is to secrete specific antibodies, which also have not yet learned to recognize the true "enemy". Antibodies quickly enter into a pathological "union" with allergens and form CIC - circulating immune complexes. CIC, in turn, destroy cell membranes, settling on them. This is how allergic reactions caused by milk protein occur. In addition to the gastrointestinal tract, the child’s liver also becomes a target for allergens due to its immaturity and insufficiently developed protective function.

In order for the child not to develop an allergy to the formula, the food must be selected in accordance with the child's immune status. In addition, the pediatrician who observes the baby must take into account the family history. If one of the parents suffers from some kind of allergy, or both parents are allergic, the risk that the child may have an allergy to the formula increases many times over. It is for such children that there are special formulas consisting not of milk protein, but of its hydrolysate.

A little more detail about what BKM is – cow’s milk protein and what its hydrolysate is.

Cow's milk protein ranks among the top food allergens, especially relevant for the process of artificial feeding of infants. CMP (cow's milk protein) includes about 20 antigens, the most formidable of which is β-lactoglobulin, it makes up 65% of CMP. Next in strength of allergenic properties are casein, α-lactalbumin and serum albumin.

Milk protein hydrolysate is the separation of a protein molecule, and therefore the interruption of the connection of allergens that pose a threat to the body. Both whey and casein proteins are subject to hydrolysis. Hypoallergenic milk formulas have a special label - hypoallergenic or HA. All formulas of this type are conventionally divided by the type of hydrolysate, as well as by what protein is broken down. Such formulas are not therapeutic, they rather prevent allergies in babies. Thus, formulas with a high hydrolysate are considered safer, since their composition does not contain a single allergen. The protein in such formulas is broken down into extremely small amino acids and peptides. However, they do not contribute to the general adaptation of the child's body to milk protein and do not "train" food tolerance to it. Formulas with moderate BKM hydrolysate contain a small amount of milk allergens that are safe for the baby's health. Such nutrition promotes the development of adaptation mechanisms, and after a certain period the child's body will be able to normally perceive milk proteins. It should be noted that all hydrolyzed mixtures have a specific bitter taste, caused by the technology of protein splitting. The modern generation of mixtures practically does not contain soy components, which were included in baby food quite recently. This is due to the high percentage of allergic reactions (up to 40%) in babies to soy protein.

How does an allergy to formula manifest itself?

An allergy to formula in children is manifested by the following symptoms:

• Enteritis, constipation, diarrhea;
• Regurgitation, sometimes vomiting;
• Intestinal colic;
• Respiratory reactions – shortness of breath, rarely – apnea;
• Dermatitis, skin rashes.

What to do if you have an allergy to the mixture?

If an allergy to the mixture has caused polysymptomatic symptoms in a child - atopic dermatitis simultaneously with upset stool and shortness of breath, the baby should be hospitalized immediately to exclude the risk of anaphylactic shock. If the symptoms are not pronounced or develop gradually, it is necessary to consult the attending pediatrician on the issue of correcting the diet and its regimen. Gentle antihistamines and antiallergic external agents can also be prescribed. Self-treatment is strictly excluded, especially with untested means and methods, because we are talking about the health of a small child, whose adaptive and protective functions are still being formed and are quite weak.

Allergy to formula in children, despite the fact that it is a common occurrence, is easily managed provided that the doctor’s recommendations are strictly followed.