Overcoming cow's milk allergy in babies & bull; hello healthy

Recognizing cow's milk allergy in babies

Cow's formula is usually an alternative to improve your little one's nutrition in certain contexts. For example, when the mother has health problems or it is not possible to give breast milk.

However, not all babies can match cow's formula. Some children experience allergic reactions when cow's milk protein enters the body, such as increased frequency of spitting up, diarrhea, red rash on the cheeks, and skin folds to bloody stool.

Cow's milk allergy is very common. This is because the body's immune system recognizes cow's milk protein as a foreign substance in the body. Therefore, the body responds and fights against the incoming protein, as well as bacteria and viruses.

Cow's milk contains casein (protein) and several other proteins. Because it is recognized as a "threat", the body releases chemicals that trigger allergy symptoms.

The release of chemical compounds due to cow's milk allergy is based on the following reasons.

1. Immunoglobulin E (IgE) mediated reactions

Immunoglubulin E is an antibody that plays a role in fighting allergies. Here the immune system releases histamine compounds, chemical compounds that the body releases when it responds to allergies. These symptoms last about 20-30 minutes after your little one consumes cow's milk protein.

However, symptoms can appear for more than 2 hours. Seeing this, parents must immediately take solutions to treat cow's milk allergy in babies.

2. Non-immunoglobulin E-mediated reactions

T cells or white blood cells are interpreted as the cause of allergy symptoms. Usually the symptoms appear gradually, from 48 hours to 1 week after your little one drinks cow's milk. Even though the cause is different from the previous one, overcoming the symptoms of cow's milk allergy needs to be done immediately.

3. Mixed reaction of Immunoglobulin E and Non-immunoglobulin E mediated

Source: Baby Center

As for babies who have symptoms of cow's milk allergy due to a combination of immunoglobulin E and non-immunoglobulin E-mediated reactions. If so, treating babies with symptoms of cow's milk allergy should be done quickly by parents.

In general, the symptoms that can be recognized from an allergic reaction to cow's milk can attack the 3 most important organs of the body, here are the symptoms:

1. Skin

A red rash on the cheeks and a red rash on the skin folds
Swelling of the lips
Itchy rash
Hives
Atopic dermatitis

2. Breathing

coughing or wheezing
nasal congestion
difficulty breathing until the skin is blue

3. Digestion

spit up
gag
colic, such as excessive crying due to stomach upset and irritability

Overcoming and managing cow's milk allergy in babies is important to do. Because according to research results show 50% of children who experience cow's milk allergy early in life can be at risk of re-experiencing allergy symptoms until the age of 5 years. This is called allergic march, which is the course of a person's allergies when symptoms appear during infancy and persist until school age. Allergic March can cause allergic symptoms such as eczema, rhinitis and atopic dermatitis.

To reduce the risk of allergic march from cow's milk allergy, find out how to treat and manage allergies with the exact steps below.

Overcoming cow's milk allergy in babies

Breast milk is the best nutritional choice for children allergic to cow's milk. However, you should go on a diet for eliminating food from cow's milk products and their derivatives. This is because to minimize the protein content of cow's milk in mother's milk.

However, if you are not breastfeeding, then you should think about giving formula nutrition as an alternative. Mothers must be careful about the content of formula milk, including the type of protein contained.

Not a few mothers choose soy milk to treat allergies to cow's milk in babies, so that the nutrition is still fulfilled. However, not all babies can receive protein from soy milk and some can cause allergic reactions to soy or soy protein.

Another alternative is extensively hydrolyzed formula. This milk is hypoallergenic, especially for children who cannot be allergic to cow's milk protein.

According to research Pediatric allergy and immunology: official publication of the European Society of Pediatric Allergy and Immunology, Extensively hydrolyzed formula also relieves symptoms of cow's milk allergy such as vomiting and induces soft bowel movements in babies.

In the study it was also stated that this milk can manage atopic dermatitis. So, in the future this method can reduce this risk of allergic march.

In addition, according to the management of the Indonesian Pediatrician Association (IDAI) in managing allergy symptoms in children, it is to do an elimination diet of foods containing cow's milk products accompanied by extensive hydrolyzed formula for 2-4 weeks.

Extensive hydrolyzed formula contains protein that supports growth and development. This is because the protein in milk is formulated by breaking down casein (protein in cow's milk) into very small pieces.

So that the body does not recognize these protein fragments as allergens (substances that trigger allergy symptoms). That way, children can get optimal benefits from protein for their physical and motor development.

Apart from all that, it is better for mothers to consult a doctor to re-confirm cow's milk allergy in babies and about extensive hydrolyzed formulas. It is better if you write down questions about cow's milk allergy when consulting a doctor, in order to get a diagnosis and get recommendations for optimal treatment and advice.