Cow protein allergy

Allergy to cow protein is a common reaction of the body to the introduction of a foreign, unfamiliar protein, accordingly, allergy to cow protein most often occurs in children under one year of age.

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What does cow protein contain?

Cow's milk contains more than 20 different protein components, of which only 4 are provocative in terms of allergic reactions, and 3 are the most aggressive - beta-lactoglobulin, casein and alpha-lactalbumin.

In turn, each of these proteins consists of several fractions. Thus, casein, which occupies a leading position among all proteins (it is almost 80% in milk), contains 5 fractions. Of these, the most significant are alpha-s-casein and alpha-casein. Since casein is not a specific species protein, that is, it is found not only in milk, with an allergy to it, there may be a cross-allergy to different types of cheese, where it is also present. Next on the list of allergy triggers is beta-lactoglobulin, which makes up about 10% of the total amount of protein components in milk. There is much less alpha-lactalbumin in dairy products, only 2%, but even such a small amount can provoke an allergic reaction. In addition, this protein, like casein, is not specific, it is also present in beef. Lipoproteins, which are found in milk and butter, rarely cause allergies.

An allergy to cow's milk protein can spread not only to the visible "culprit" - milk, it can also be provoked by condensed milk and all those tasty products that somehow contain at least a minimal part of dairy ingredients (milk chocolate, white bread, ice cream). If a person is allergic only to cheese, and reacts normally to milk, then most likely the reaction is caused by mold fungi that are part of the cheese.

Why does cow protein allergy develop?

Causes of cow's milk protein allergy in adults may be as follows:

• Genetic predisposition.
• An excess of specific immunoglobulin responsible for the immune response to antigens (IgE).
• Lack of specific enzymes capable of breaking down the peptide chain of milk proteins. It is believed that with age, renin, which can process milk proteins, disappears from the body, but this version is still questioned by nutritionists, since the function of renin is successfully performed by pepsin.
• A persistent allergy to non-milk-related foods that is the background for the formation of a reaction to cow protein.

Causes of cow's milk allergy in children:

• Early weaning, interruption of breastfeeding.
• Insufficient development and protection of the baby's digestive tract.
• Violation of the dietary regimen on the part of the nursing mother: if the mother has an allergy to cow protein, the baby will also suffer from it.
• Low-quality milk formulas that replace breast milk.
• Introducing complementary foods too early.

Who is allergic to cow protein?

Allergy to cow's milk protein is most often typical for small children, when after several months of feeding with the usual mother's milk, they receive their first complementary food in the form of an unfamiliar milk formula. Signs of intolerance to cow's milk protein are primarily manifested by dyspepsia and vomiting, then there may be skin rashes. Simple elimination (exclusion) of the dairy product from the baby's diet brings noticeable results - the alarming allergic symptoms disappear. Starting from the age of one year, children tolerate dairy products more easily, since their digestive (enzymatic) system is almost formed and ready to receive such products.

Adults suffer from milk intolerance relatively rarely. An allergy to cow's milk protein is more likely to indicate a dysfunction of the enzymatic system. Enzymes are unable to break down milk proteins, which in their unprocessed form are poorly tolerated by the body and are rejected. Adults also suffer from lactose intolerance, but this is a completely different dysfunction that has nothing to do with an allergy to proteins.

Symptoms of cow's milk protein allergy

Most often, allergy to cow's milk protein occurs according to the so-called immediate type, and is manifested by various functional disorders. Nausea, vomiting and diarrhea are the first signs of milk intolerance, then skin reactions in the form of a diffuse rash all over the body may develop. Allergic rhinitis and asthma attacks are quite rare. Also, symptoms of allergy to cow's milk protein can only be digestive disorders without dermatitis, urticaria or edema. The most alarming, and sometimes threatening, are rapidly developing signs that follow one after another. This can lead to Quincke's edema and even anaphylactic shock. Such symptoms are especially dangerous for babies and the elderly.

Treatment of cow protein allergy

In order to neutralize an allergy to cow protein, it is enough to exclude the provoking product from the baby's diet and change the mixtures to higher-quality, hydrolyzed ones. In adults, the treatment method also consists of eliminating (excluding) provoking dairy products from the menu; if the symptoms are clearly expressed, you can do the following:

• Take an over-the-counter antihistamine.
• Take sorbents - activated carbon, Enterosgel.
• Follow a hypoallergenic diet in principle, that is, exclude not only milk, but also citrus fruits, nuts, mushrooms, honey, cheeses, and beef.

In case of threatening symptoms in adults and especially in children, you should immediately seek medical help to prevent Quincke's edema.

If an allergy to cow protein develops, the following products must be eliminated from the diet:

• Hard and soft cheeses.
• Fermented milk products, including low-fat ones.
• Beef meat.
• Baked goods prepared with milk or whey.
• Butter.
• Milk chocolate.
• Ice cream.

Allergy to cow's milk protein is often confused with another syndrome - lactose intolerance, which is distinguished by the fact that the body does not perceive carbohydrates in milk, but not proteins. Most often, lactose intolerance is typical for adult allergy sufferers, and an allergic reaction to cow's milk protein is still a typical childhood problem, which is gradually neutralized with the help of a properly selected diet.