Milk allergy is a reaction of the body's insecurity against one or more of milk protein. Milk allergy is the case of the most popular food allergy in children. In addition to cow's milk, goat's milk and sheep's milk can also cause allergic reactions. Typically, children begin to experience allergy at the age of 3 years. Milk allergy usually occur a few minutes to a few hours after consuming milk. Milk allergy symptoms vary from mild to severe. Allergy symptoms can include shortness of breath, vomiting, itchy red spots on the skin and digestive problems. In rare cases, milk allergy can cause anaphylaxis (severe life-threatening reactions).
Taken from wikipedia: Milk allergy is a food allergy, an adverse immune reaction to a food protein that is normally harmless to the nonallergic individual. Lactose intolerance is a nonallergic food sensitivity, and comes from a lack of production of the enzyme lactase, required to digest the predominant sugar in milk. Adverse effects of lactose intolerance generally occur after much higher levels of milk consumption than do adverse effects of milk allergy. Lactose intolerance is considered the normal state for most adults on a worldwide scale and is not typically considered to be a disease condition.
Symptoms of allergy to cow's milk is almost the same as the other food allergy symptoms. Usually will attack the skin, gastrointestinal, and respiratory tract. Reaction acute (short-term) that often occurs is itching of the skin. While chronic reaction (long-term) that occurs is asthma, dermatitis (eczema skin) and gastrointestinal disorders. There are three patterns of clinical response milk protein allergy in infants, namely:
- Fast reaction. Symptoms appear within 45 minutes after children drink cow's milk. Beware if the red spots appear (such as measles) or itching on the baby's skin. Can also occur respiratory system disorders such as breath sounds "ngik," sneezing, itchy nose and eyes, and red eyes.
- Medium Reactions. Symptoms appear between 45 minutes to 20 hours after eating baby cow's milk. Symptoms that often arises is vomiting or diarrhea.
- Slow reaction. Symptoms begin to look more than 20 hours after the baby is drinking milk. Signs that often arises is diarrhea, constipation (difficult bowel movements) and dermatitis (skin disorders).
All milk allergy is caused by the body's immune system malfunctions. Your immune system identifies the milk protein is harmful to your body, triggering the production of immunoglobulin E (IgE) to neutralize the protein (which is considered as allergens). Henceforth, if you come in contact with these proteins, these IgE antibodies will know and send signals to the body's immune system to release histamine and other chemicals. Histamine and other chemicals cause a variety of signs and symptoms. Take on the role of histamine in allergic reactions, among others runny nose, itchy eyes, sore throat, rash, itchy rash, nausea, diarrhea, shortness of breath and anaphylaxis.
There are two types of proteins in cow's milk that can cause an allergic reaction:
- Casein, which is found in the solid part of the frozen milk
- Whey, which is found in the liquid part of milk that remains after milk frozen
You or your child may have an allergy to milk protein only or both. This protein is not only found in the milk, but also in food. In addition, most of them are having a reaction to cow's milk are also allergic to milk of sheep, goat and buffalo. Those who have an allergy to cow's milk can also have an allergy to soy milk.
Prevent milk allergy
There is no sure way to prevent food allergies occur for the first time. But you can prevent signs and symptoms by avoiding foods that cause your allergies. If you know you or your child is allergic to milk, be sure to avoid dairy products. Know what you or your child to eat and drink. Read the food labels carefully.
Several studies have shown that breast-feeding until the first four months of age babies can help prevent allergic to milk. In children who have had an allergy to milk, breast-feeding and the use of hypoallergenic formulas (formulas made from enzymes to destroy the milk protein) can prevent allergic reactions.
There is no sure way to prevent food allergies occur for the first time. But you can prevent signs and symptoms by avoiding foods that cause your allergies. If you know you or your child is allergic to milk, be sure to avoid dairy products. Know what you or your child to eat and drink. Read the food labels carefully.
Several studies have shown that breast-feeding until the first four months of age babies can help prevent allergic to milk. In children who have had an allergy to milk, breast-feeding and the use of hypoallergenic formulas (formulas made from enzymes to destroy the milk protein) can prevent allergic reactions.
