Milk allergy cases became so popular after an ad impressions on television showed a child who had cow's milk allergy, then advertisers offer soy milk as a solution. Research in several countries has shown, cow's milk allergy experienced by 2% of infants in the first year of life. Approximately 1-7% of infants suffer from an allergy to the protein found in cow's milk. Babies have immunity system is still immature and vulnerable. Milk allergy usually occurs when the baby's immune system aware (or assume) that the protein content in cow's milk as a hazardous substance. Baby's immune system will fight the protein contained in cow's milk so that the symptoms of an allergic reaction will appear.
Milk allergy, is the most popular food allergy case in children. In addition to cow's milk, goat's milk, sheep, buffalo 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 the child's milk consumption. 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-a severe life-threatening reaction.
Milk allergy sign and symptoms in children
Symptoms of cow's milk allergy is similar to other food allergy symptoms. Will usually attack the skin, gastrointestinal tract, and respiratory tract. Acute reaction (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. Milk allergy symptoms vary in each person and occurs within a few minutes up to several hours after ingesting milk. Signs and symptoms of milk allergy that occurs immediately after consuming milk, among others:
- Red spots with itching of the skin
- Shortness of breath
- Throw up
- Watery feces, which can contain blood
- Diarrhea
- Cramps in stomach
- Cough or shortness of breath
- Runny nose
- Watery eyes
- Itchy skin rash, often around the mouth
- Colic in babies
- Fast reaction. Symptoms seen within 45 minutes after the children drink cow's milk. Beware if the red spots appear (such as measles) or itching on the baby's skin. It may also happen tract system disorders, sneezing, itchy nose and eyes, and red eyes.
- Medium reaction. Symptoms appear between 45 minutes to 20 hours after baby consuming 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. The signs that often arises is diarrhea, constipation (difficult bowel movements) and dermatitis (skin disorders).
Causes of milk allergy
All milk allergy is caused by the body's immune system malfunctions. Your immune system identifies harmless milk protein for your body, triggering the production of immunoglobulin E (IgE) to neutralize the protein (that considered as allergens). Henceforth, if you are in contact with the protein, the IgE antibodies will recognize and sends 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 many allergic reactions, such as runny nose, itchy eyes, sore throat, rash, rash with itching, nausea, diarrhea, shortness of breath and anaphylaxis.
Prevention of 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 causes your allergy. If you know you or your child is allergic to milk, make sure to avoid dairy products. Find out what you or your kids eat and drink. Read the food labels carefully.Several studies have shown that breastfeeding up to four months of age infants can help prevent allergic to milk. In children who have allergies to milk, breast-feeding and the use of hypoallergenic formula (formula made from milk protein enzymes to destroy) can prevent allergic reactions.