Introduction
Cow’s milk allergy describes an allergic reaction to food containing proteins from cow’s milk. It is an exuberant reaction of the immune system with symptoms that can lead to circulatory collapse. The substance to which the system reacts is called an allergen.
Cow’s milk allergy occurs in 2 to 3% of infants, and symptoms begin when cow’s milk is added to the diet. Cow’s milk allergy in infants is often confused with lactose intolerance. The symptoms are similar but have different causes and must be treated differently.
Causes
Food allergies, such as cow’s milk allergy in babies, cause the immune system to overreact. The immune system classifies substances that are actually harmless as harmful and reacts hypersensitively to the allergen. Typical allergic symptoms occur.
In babies, the immune system is not yet fully developed. Early sensitization, i.e. contact with cow’s milk, can lead to an allergy to cow’s milk. Cow’s milk contains a variety of proteins to which the body can react allergically.
These include casein proteins, lactoglobulins, lactoferrin and other proteins. Since similar proteins are also found in milk from other animal species, allergic reactions may also occur when drinking this milk. Cow’s milk allergy is particularly common in babies when parents or siblings are affected themselves.
What are the signs of cow’s milk allergy in babies?
Milk allergy can cause a variety of symptoms, which can vary in extent and severity for each person affected. The symptoms range from indigestion and respiratory problems to skin and cardiovascular symptoms. The most severe form of allergic reaction, which is potentially life-threatening, is anaphylaxis, a circulatory shock or failure.
Associated symptoms
The symptoms of milk allergy in babies include gastrointestinal problems. Affected children suffer from flatulence and abdominal pain. Diarrhoea often occurs after eating milk, and can even be bloody.
Vomiting is also possible. Babies with an allergy to cow’s milk often refuse to eat and are restless, appearing apathetic and at the same time exhausted. Various symptoms appear on the skin, including hives with wheals (swelling as if after stinging nettle contact), skin redness and itching.
Eczema, skin rashes with severe itching and neurodermatitis (rashes appear in phases) can also occur. Respiratory symptoms may also be noticeable, such as coughing or asthma. Frequent are runny noses (allergic rhinitis) and recurring inflammation of the bronchial tubes (bronchitis).
Besides flatulence and abdominal pain, diarrhoea is one of the most common symptoms of an allergy to cow’s milk in babies. Diarrhoea occurs a few hours after the consumption of cow’s milk. They can sometimes even contain blood admixtures.
If there is a temporal connection with the consumption of cow’s milk, a cow’s milk allergy is a conceivable cause. To compensate for a loss of fluid, severe diarrhea in children must be treated. Electrolyte-glucose solutions are recommended.
In the case of an allergy to cow’s milk, the symptoms should not occur if the consumption of milk and dairy products is avoided. Allergic reactions often show themselves through typical skin symptoms. These include rashes after the consumption of cow’s milk and dairy products.
How severe they are varies from person to person. Some babies show only slight redness, while others suffer from large rashes. They can be accompanied by severe itching.
These eczemas can flake, weep and form crusts. Recurring eczema is characteristic of atopic dermatitis. Often the rashes also occur with wheals, punctiform skin elevations like those caused by contact with nettles. This is called urticaria or hives.
