Cow's milk allergy is an abnormal response of the immune system when milk or foods made from milk are consumed. Under normal conditions, the immune system does not react to these foods, while people with cow's milk allergy have a strong response. Symptoms can be moderate or severe. Symptoms include vomiting, skin rash, shortness of breath. The most common type of food allergy in children is cow's milk allergy. About 7% of infants under the age of 1 are considered to have a cow's milk allergy. In many children, cow's milk allergy regresses as they approach 5 years of age. In addition to cow's milk; Sheep and goat milk are also known to cause allergies in children.
What is Cow's Milk Allergy?
Cow's milk allergy is a reaction that immune system cells develop against some proteins in milk. Cow's milk does not cause any problems in healthy people without allergies. In infants with cow's milk allergy, the immune system reacts to cow's milk by producing a molecule called immunoglobulin E (IgE). As a result of this reaction, the body's immune cells secrete histamine and other chemicals, causing various allergic symptoms. These symptoms are; vomiting, wheezing, hives may occur. Cow's milk allergy can also cause a life-threatening allergic reaction called anaphylaxis in some severe cases.
What are the Symptoms of Cow's Milk Allergy?
Symptoms of cow's milk allergy may vary from baby to baby. Symptoms may occur immediately after consuming milk or milk-made foods; It can also be seen some time after consuming the food. Some of the symptoms observed immediately after the consumption of milk or dairy products are as follows;
- Skin rashes
- Wheezing, breathing difficulties
- Tingling and itching around the mouth or lips
- In the mouth, throat or a rash on the tongue; swelling
- Cough or shortness of breath
- Vomiting
- Watery stool, diarrhea, blood in stool n
- Abdominal pain
- Runny nose
- Rigid eyes
- Low blood pressure
- Colic
Why Cow's Milk Allergy Causes?
The main reason for cow's milk allergy is that two proteins in milk are perceived as foreign substances by the immune system and react against them. These proteins are; whey and casein proteins. Whey protein is found in the liquid part of milk, it remains in the liquid part after milk is curdled. Casein, on the other hand, is in the solid part of the milk, it is in the solid part that clumps after milk is curdled. Cow's milk allergy in infants; It may develop against only one of these proteins, or allergy may develop against both proteins. Today, these proteins are not only found in milk and dairy products; It should not be forgotten that it is also found in some pastries and processed foods.
Age is an important factor in cow's milk allergy. It is more common in infants and children whose digestive system is not yet developed. As you get older, allergic reactions to milk decrease. Children with cow's milk allergy generally develop allergies to other allergens as well. Children with a skin condition called atopic dermatitis are at increased risk of developing food allergies. Family history of allergic reactions is also an important factor. Babies whose parents have allergic reactions such as eczema or asthma have a higher risk of developing milk allergy than babies without a family history of allergies.
How to Diagnose Cow's Milk Allergy?
In food allergies, It is not always easy to determine to which food the allergy has developed. The diagnosis is usually found by the allergist's evaluation of the signs and symptoms in the baby, by physical examination, and by examining the foods eaten by the baby or the nursing mother. In cases where cow's milk allergy is suspected, the baby or the breastfeeding mother's milk and dairy products are removed from her diet when necessary. This is called an elimination diet. When these products are added to the diet later, if an allergic reaction occurs again, a diagnosis of cow's milk allergy is made. In the diagnosis, stool test, skin test or blood tests to determine the amount of IgE in the blood may also be requested. However, these tests are not sufficient to make a definitive diagnosis. The definitive diagnosis is made by an allergist physician by evaluating the signs and symptoms in detail.
How to Treat Cow's Milk Allergy?
The only treatment method for cow's milk allergy is to exclude milk and foods made from milk from the diet. While protecting yourself from cow's milk allergy, you can inadvertently take a food made from milk or a processed food containing milk protein. In these cases, anti-histamine drugs are used to relieve mild allergic symptoms. In case of a serious reaction such as anaphylaxis, adrenaline is injected intravenously during the emergency response.
How Should the Mother of a Baby with Cow's Milk Allergy Be Fed During Breastfeeding?
Milk proteins in milk or dairy products It can also pass into your milk. For this reason, mothers who have a milk allergy in their babies should pay attention to their diets during breastfeeding. In some cases, cow's milk allergy in the baby is not affected by breast milk and the mother's nutrition. In this case, the nursing mother does not need to follow a special diet. In babies who are breastfed and whose allergy is triggered by the mother's diet, the breastfeeding mother should remove milk and foods made with milk from her diet. However, this is; It should not mean a ban on many foods in a broad sense. It is especially important not to consume cow's milk and foods made from milk such as cheese, butter, yogurt, cream, and ice cream made from cow's milk. In addition, foods containing milk protein such as processed products containing lactose or lactate, protein powders, and artificial cheese powders in the market should be avoided. Although there is the phrase 'not a dairy product' in the products bought from the market; Whether the product contains milk proteins or not should be checked from the product content. can take supplements. It is recommended to take supplemental calcium to prevent deficiencies of some minerals such as calcium, which is found in high amounts in milk. During the diet, care should also be taken when eating out. For example; that there is no butter on the ordered meat; Care should be taken not to choose a meat marinated in milk.
How should the nutrition be for infants with cow's milk allergy and who cannot receive breast milk?
In case of cow's milk allergy in infants who cannot receive breast milk while breastfeeding formula foods can be used. Hypoallergenic formulas are made from milk. The milk proteins in these formulas are broken down with the help of enzymes and made suitable for allergic babies. Formula foods called semi-hydrolyzed are not completely hypoallergenic, they can cause an allergic reaction. Amino acid-based formulas, on the other hand, are not made from milk. These foods contain the smallest form of protein broken down into amino acids. Therefore, amino acid formula is the type of formula that carries the least risk for allergic babies who are allergic to cow's milk and cannot take breast milk.
While your baby is breastfeeding or consuming dairy products; If it causes symptoms such as vomiting, colic, and rash, it may need to be evaluated in terms of cow's milk allergy. With the evaluation of an allergist, you can diagnose your baby's milk allergy. By taking the necessary precautions, you can witness your baby develop healthily and happily. We wish you healthy days.
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