Allergy to milk (cow) protein - a fairly common phenomenon, which is more common in children under one year. Many of these children by the age of 2 to 3 years "outgrow" this problem, which is due to the maturation of the gastrointestinal tract. But some people are forced to suffer all this life.
Causes of allergy to cow's milk protein
Cow's milk contains more than 20 types of proteins, of which the following are considered to be allergenic:
- casein;
- beta-lactoglobulin;
- alpha-lactoalbumin;
- lipoproteins.
The milk of many other cloven-hoofed animals contains the same proteins as in cow's milk. Also, proteins are allergens in veal, as calves feed on cow milk.
There are several reasons for allergic reactions to milk proteins in adults:
- genetic predisposition to the formation of hypersensitivity to the ingestion of milk proteins;
- immune failures (most often - excessive production of specific serum immunoglobulin E);
- absence or insufficient production of an enzyme that breaks down milk proteins;
- sensitization of the body by another allergen, against which an allergic reaction to the milk protein is formed.
Allergy to cow (milk) protein - symptoms
Some people suffering from allergies to milk protein develop an allergic reaction of an immediate type - after a short time after the use of dairy products. Basically, its symptoms are skin manifestations:
- redness;
- an allergic rash ;
- swelling;
- itching.
There are also disorders of the gastrointestinal tract:
- diarrhea;
- vomiting;
- diarrhea;
- flatulence;
- feeling of heaviness in the stomach.
Frequent symptoms are respiratory system reactions:
- allergic rhinitis ;
- dyspnea;
- bronchial asthma.
In some cases, a particularly severe reaction is observed: choking, severe swelling of the mouth and throat, sudden pressure drops.
In the other half of the patients, allergic reactions of a delayed type occur (after several hours or days), which, as a rule, are manifested exclusively by signs from the gastrointestinal tract.
Treatment of allergies to cow protein
The only method of treatment in this case is the complete exclusion of products containing milk proteins:
- cheeses;
- milk;
- milk porridge;
- dairy products;
- milk chocolate;
- ice cream;
- veal and others.
In case of an allergic reaction, antihistamines, sorbents, anti-allergic ointments are used.