Cow's milk is a very valuable and he althy drink that promotes the development and strengthening of not only bones and teeth, but the whole organism as a whole. Especially it has a beneficial effect on small children who are just starting to grow up and take shape.
But what if the baby is allergic to cow protein? How to identify the problem in time? Is it possible to prevent it? How can I help my child cope with an allergic reaction? And how to timely detect intolerance to cow's milk proteins in your beloved child? Let's find out.
But first, let's discuss the pros and cons of using this product.
Pros and cons
The benefits and harms of cow's milk have been arguing for a long time. On the one hand, the drink is rich in various life-giving elements, such as protein, calcium, carbohydrates, and fats. And although now you can hear more and more about the negative effects of the last two substances, they are still a real source of vigor and energy, andalso involved in important processes such as glucose breakdown and hormone synthesis.
In addition, cow's milk contains B vitamins responsible for the nervous, immune, cardiovascular and other body systems. In addition, this drink contains phosphorus, potassium, magnesium, chlorine, copper, iodine, zinc, iron and many other trace elements that are so necessary for the he alth and development of the whole organism.
On the other hand, cow's milk is considered one of the most allergenic drinks that can cause unpredictable and dangerous allergic reactions. In addition, the use of milk is contraindicated in acute and chronic kidney disease, poisoning, atherosclerosis, obesity, and so on.
Therefore, it is very important to weigh the benefits and harms of cow's milk and seriously consider the issue of complementary foods before introducing a drink into the menu of an infant.
Why is there an allergy to a seemingly he althy natural product?
Main causes of illness
The main cause of an allergy to cow's milk in an infant is intolerance to the protein that this drink is rich in. This occurs in five to eight percent of all babies and disappears within a few years after birth.
Another culprit for cow's milk allergy is lactose intolerance in children. However, this is a completely separate disease.
Why can a toddler be allergic to milk proteins?
Provocateurs of disease
Although the product contains more than twentyprotein names, only some of them cause a negative reaction in babies. They are very influential and active, so they do not lose their intensity even during hot processing.
Here are some factors that cause cow protein allergy in babies:
- A sharp transition to the mixture. The rapid transition from breastfeeding to artificial can provoke an unpredictable reaction to a new product.
- Genetic predisposition. The mother or one of the other relatives of the newborn is prone to allergies, asthma, and so on.
- Difficult pregnancy or childbirth.
- Baby born prematurely.
- Failure to follow the instructions for the correct preparation of the mixture.
- Switching to artificial nutrition during a period of stress or illness of the baby (revaccination, languishing heat or severe frost, colds, dysbacteriosis).
- Unfavorable living conditions (polluted area, tobacco smoke, unsanitary conditions in the room).
It is very important to know what provokes an allergy to cow protein in a baby. Thanks to this, you will be able to take the necessary practical measures to eliminate the cause. What's more, it will help you determine if your little one is at risk and needs careful and careful nutritional attention.
How does an allergy to milk proteins manifest?
Symptoms of the disease
Since an allergy is a response of the immune system to an irritant, the manifestation of cow protein intolerance will be noticeable from all internal and external systemsorganism.
For example, the digestive organs will immediately declare their discomfort. This will be seen in the baby's repeated regurgitation, frequent gaziki, loose stools. Take a close look at the feces of the little one. You should be alerted if they are green in color, have foam and an unpleasant odor, and also if particles of undigested milk in the form of curdled clots can be found in them.
Signs of an allergy to cow's protein in infants will necessarily appear in skin rashes or irritations, different in their etiology and appearance. These can be reddish spots on the cheeks, neck and buttocks. Or dry crusts on the head and face. Small watery blisters or small pimples may occur.
The respiratory system also responds to protein stimuli. The child may experience difficulty breathing, coughing, sneezing, nasal congestion, and so on. In some cases, serious pathologies such as Quincke's edema or bronchial asthma are found.
The nervous system also reacts negatively to cow's milk allergens. The little one becomes whiny and capricious, he sleeps badly and expresses anxiety.
You should be aware that the symptoms listed above will progress if cow's milk is not excluded from the baby's diet. This is very serious, as it can provoke many dangerous and complex diseases.
How to diagnose an allergy to cow protein in an infant and what can be done for thisneeded?
General diagnosis of illness
If you observe the symptoms described above in your baby, do not rush to make a diagnosis yourself and even more so prescribe treatment yourself. The fact is that the manifestation of milk allergy can be very similar to the manifestation of many other diseases. Only a specialist can determine the true cause, based on laboratory tests.
First of all, it will be necessary to take a blood and stool test to detect eosinophils and erythrocytes, respectively, as well as to establish dysbacteriosis or any other disease of the digestive tract.
Allergy testing
What will help diagnose an allergy to cow protein in an infant? Analysis for an irritant (or allergy test).
What is remarkable about this survey? Under the skin in the forearm area, one drop of special solutions containing allergen pathogens is injected. If the irritant is identified correctly, there will be redness or rash around the injection.
So, the studies were carried out, and the diagnosis was established, after which many parents have a quite appropriate question: if they are allergic to cow protein, what to feed the baby.
Before we know the answer, let's take a look at how to treat newborn allergies.
Drug therapy for illness
In most cases, allergy treatment has several directions:
- Removal of toxic irritants from the child's body. For thisuse activated carbon, Enterosgel, Laktofiltrum.
- Elimination of allergic manifestations: reduction of itching, removal of swelling and redness. For these purposes, Erius, Suprastinex, Claritin, Zirtek are prescribed.
- Removal of skin inflammations. Preparations are applied topically in the form of ointments and gels: "Fenistil", "Bepanten" and others.
In cases of acute or prolonged manifestations of allergy to cow's milk, the attending physician may prescribe hormonal drugs.
They can be used as oral drops or tablets, intramuscular injections or topical ointments.
Traditional medicine
Is it possible to cure a baby from allergies with recipes from a folk first-aid kit? Yes, but this should be done carefully, making sure that your little one is not allergic to natural ingredients.
You can prepare a light decoction of string, dill and chamomile seeds, which is recommended to use as a lotion, and also add to water while bathing.
Also, a decoction can be given to the child inside, but you should start with a minimum - from three to four drops at a time, gradually increasing to a volume of one teaspoon.
It is necessary to brew the grass strictly according to the instructions, so as not to cause an allergic reaction to the medicinal components in the baby. After a few doses, the allergy symptoms will gradually disappear. Puffiness, burning and rashes will subside, the work of the digestive tract will normalize (the little one will stop spitting up and vilifying).
What caneat during treatment and after recovery?
Mom's food
The most natural and most basic method of antiallergic therapy is, of course, the complete and categorical rejection of products that include cow's milk protein.
What does it look like in practice?
If the baby is breastfeeding, breastfeeding mothers should completely avoid whole milk and products containing it, as well as chocolate, eggs, citrus fruits and nuts.
Child nutrition
But what if the baby is on artificial nutrition? There are many formulas made without the use of cow's milk proteins. They are called hypoallergenic, and are quite expensive.
Are there other formulas that are suitable when an infant is allergic to cow protein? Feedback from many moms shows that yes.
In pharmacies and on store shelves you can find baby food made from soy, oat, rice or goat milk. They are recommended to be used from the moment the baby is six months old.
Of course, specialized blends are more expensive than conventional blends. However, only they can help your little one enjoy delicious food without the side effects of allergic manifestations.
Closer to the year, it will be possible to try to introduce processed cow's milk into the child's diet in the form of fermented baked milk, kefir and other products. In the process of their preparation, protein is broken down into amino acids, whichwill no longer be perceived by the body as allergens.
In conclusion
Yes, an allergy to cow protein in infants is an unpleasant and troublesome disease. The mother of the baby will have to carefully experiment with the use of various mixtures and products, as well as with the selection of medicines and treatments (if allergic reactions have become too acute and unpredictable).
Don't worry though. It will take a little time, and your little one will become an adult. His body will learn to perceive complex cow proteins, and all kinds of allergies will remain in the distant past.
