Baby's allergy to cow's milk

introduction

A cow's milk allergy describes an allergic reaction to foods that contain proteins from cow's milk. It is an excessive reaction of the immune system with symptoms that can lead to circulatory collapse.

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The substance to which the system reacts is called Allergen designated. Cow's milk allergy occurs in 2 to 3% of infants, and symptoms begin when cow's milk components are included in the diet. A cow's milk allergy in infants is often associated with a Lactose intolerance confused, the symptoms are similar but have different causes and have to be treated differently.

causes

In the case of food allergies, such as the cow's milk allergy in babies, there is an excessive reaction of the immune system. It classifies substances that are actually harmless as harmful and is hypersensitive to the allergen. Typical allergic symptoms occur. In infants, the immune system is not yet fully developed, one early awareness, i.e. contact with cow's milk, can lead to a cow's milk allergy.

Cow's milk contains a large number of proteins to which the body can react allergically. This includes Casein proteins, Lactoglobulins, Lactoferrin and other proteins. Since similar proteins are also found in the milk of other animal species, allergic reactions may occur when they are consumed. A cow's milk allergy is particularly common in babies if parents or siblings are affected themselves.

What are signs of a cow's milk allergy in babies?

A milk allergy can cause various symptoms, the extent and severity of which can vary in each person affected. The symptoms range from Indigestion over respiratory symptoms up to Skin manifestations and Cardiovascular symptoms. The strongest form of allergic reaction that is potentially life-threatening is anaphylaxis, which is circulatory shock or failure.

Concomitant symptoms

Symptoms of a baby's milk allergy include gastrointestinal discomfort. Affected children suffer from gas and abdominal pain. Diarrhea often occurs after consuming dairy foods, and they can even be bloody. Vomiting is also possible.

Babies with cow's milk allergy often refuse to eat and are restless, appearing apathetic and exhausted at the same time.Various symptoms occur on the skin, including nettle rash with wheals (swelling like after contact with nettles), reddened skin and itching. Eczema, skin rashes with severe itching and neurodermatitis (rashes appear in phases) can also occur. Breathing problems such as coughing or asthma can also be noticed. Runny noses (allergic rhinitis) and recurring inflammations of the bronchi (bronchitis) are common.

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diarrhea

In addition to gas and abdominal pain, diarrhea is one of the most common symptoms of a cow's milk allergy in babies. Diarrhea occurs a few hours after consuming cow's milk. Sometimes they can even contain blood. If there is a temporal connection with the consumption of cow's milk, a cow's milk allergy is a possible cause. In order to make up for fluid loss, severe diarrhea in children must be treated. Electrolyte-glucose solutions are recommended here. In the case of a cow's milk allergy, the symptoms should not appear if milk and dairy products are not consumed.

Rash

Allergic reactions often show up through typical skin symptoms. These include rashes after consuming cow's milk and dairy products. How severe they turn out varies from person to person. Some babies only show slight redness, while others have widespread rashes. They can be accompanied by severe itching. This eczema can become flaky, oozing, and crusty. Recurring eczema is characteristic of neurodermatitis. Often the rashes also appear with wheals, point-like raised areas of the skin like when you come into contact with nettles. This is known as urticaria or hives.

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diagnosis

Babies with a cow's milk allergy often have typical allergic symptoms. This includes above all Indigestion how Diarrhea, Vomit, Colic or Refusal to eat. Besides that you can Skin discomfort, respiratory symptoms or in the worst case one Circulatory collapse, of the anaphylactic shock occur.

The pediatrician diagnoses a cow's milk allergy after a detailed questioning of the parents. You should observe the diet of your child and what symptoms are occurring, and mention whether the family has already suffered from allergic diseases or cow's milk allergies. About various skin tests like the Prick- or Subcutaneous test, the doctor can determine a skin reaction to the possible allergen. Likewise should a Blood test done to diagnose an allergic reaction.

What test options are there?

There are several skin tests that can help diagnose an allergic disease, such as cow's milk allergy in babies. The gentler the method, the safer it is for the person affected, but it is also less accurate or even shows no reaction, although there is an allergy.

In the rub test, the possible allergen is rubbed over the skin on the arm. In the prick test, the allergen is applied next to a substance that inevitably causes a reaction. Then a comparison is made of the intensity with which the body reacts to the allergen.

In the scratch test, the skin is scratched and the test solution is then applied. There is also the option of injecting the allergen into the skin with a syringe. The doctor will assess whether certain skin symptoms have occurred after application of the allergen, such as redness, itching or wheals (small swellings of the skin).

treatment

The most important measure to be taken when a baby is diagnosed with milk allergy is complete waiver of the trigger the allergic reaction. This includes cow's milk and cow's milk products, but also milk from other animal species. Due to similar protein structures, allergic symptoms can also occur here. Even babies who are still breastfed and do not eat any other food can be affected by cow's milk allergy. Here allergens from the mother's diet get into breast milk. So here the mother should also eat cow's milk-free.

Medicines can be used for acute allergic reactions, find here Antihistamines their application. They weaken the body's allergic reaction. Other drugs in allergy therapy are Mast cell stabilizers how Cromoglicic acid and Glucocorticoids. To treat a cow's milk allergy in the long term, there is the possibility of one Desensitization perform. The affected person is fed milk in steadily increasing doses with the hope that the body will get used to the allergen.

In some cases, affected children show sensitization after a few years without further measures and are symptom-free. Until then, strict food abstinence should be observed, which may also have to be followed for life. There milk next to calcium, Vitamin B12 and proteins contain other important nutrients, these must be supplied in a dairy-free diet through other foods or dietary supplements.

Duration

The cow's milk allergy is a so-called allergic reaction of the immediate type. Allergic symptoms of a cow's milk allergy occur in a temporal context with the consumption of dairy products. They occur directly or within a short period of time (a few hours). If milk is not consumed, the patient is symptom-free. Under certain circumstances, the allergy disappears in later childhood, but often the only therapy for cow's milk allergy is to strictly avoid cow's milk and dairy products.

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What is the connection with neurodermatitis?

Neurodermatitis is one of the most common inflammatory skin diseases and usually manifests itself in childhood. It is often associated with other allergic diseases, such as bronchial asthma or food allergies. Therefore, a cow's milk allergy can often occur alongside neurodermatitis. However, it is not the cause of this. Probably due to genetic predisposition, some people are more prone to hypersensitivity reactions, such as food allergies or neurodermatitis. This is called Atopy designated.