Food allergies are quite common among children, especially if there is a family history of allergies. If your child shows symptoms such as itching, swollen lips, and abdominal pain after consuming certain foods or drinks, it could be a symptom of allergies. Milk can be one of the causes of allergies in children.
Milk is a supplementary source of nutrition for your child. However, Little is not necessarily suitable for ordinary cow's milk. This can be known if the child shows allergic symptoms after drinking milk.
Milk Allergy Symptoms
Milk allergy is a condition in which the immune system (antibodies) that are supposed to attack infections that enter the body, instead attack the protein in milk. This happens because antibodies assume milk protein can be harmful to the body, so it reacts against it.
Milk protein consists of casein and whey. Your child can experience an allergy to one protein or even both. However, the type of milk protein that most often causes allergies is the beta-casein A1 protein (protein A1).
Milk allergic reaction will cause the release of histamine which can cause symptoms in the form of:
- Red rashes or itching on the skin.
- Itchy, watery, and swollen eyes.
- Runny nose.
- Swelling on the lips or tongue.
- Stomach ache.
- Nausea.
- Gag.
- Itchy throat.
- Cough.
- Wheezing.
- Hard to breathe.
- Swelling on the lips or tongue.
Milk allergic reactions in each child can vary, but the most to watch out for is a severe allergic reaction called anaphylaxis (anaphylactic shock). Anaphylactic shock starts with mild symptoms and then gets worse. The little one who experiences anaphylactic shock will feel shortness of breath, weakness, even fainting. If not treated immediately, anaphylactic shock can be life threatening.
If your child shows symptoms of allergies after drinking milk, stop giving milk and consult a pediatrician immediately.
The Right Milk for Children with Allergies
Until now, there has been no treatment to overcome milk allergy. However, allergy symptoms can be prevented by avoiding foods or drinks that contain milk. This includes yogurt, butter, cheese and ice cream. Also avoid dairy products from other animals, such as goat's milk or sheep's milk. The protein in milk is similar to cow's milk protein.
If your child is allergic to cow's milk, or rather allergic to A1 protein in milk, it does not mean he cannot drink milk at all. Mother can give your Little Vegetable milk, such as soy milk, almond milk, hazelnut milk, and cashew nut milk. Vegetable milk is more convenient for people with lactose intolerance or milk allergy, because it is lactose free, cholesterol free and low in calories. Give the little one fortified vegetable milk (added with other nutrients), so that the nutritional needs are still met.
Another alternative is to provide hypoallergenic formula milk. Hypoallergenic milk is considered safe for sufferers of milk allergy, because it is produced using enzymes to break down milk protein, so it does not trigger allergic reactions.
In addition, there is now available milk from A2 cows that are specially formulated for children who are incompatible with ordinary cow's milk. A2 milk comes from special cows that produce milk with a protein content that is less likely to cause allergic reactions.
Several studies have shown that milk from A2 cows has proven to be more convenient for digestion and has a smaller risk of triggering allergies, especially those related to digestive problems. Indigestion in the form of flatulence, abdominal pain, soft stool texture, and frequency of frequent bowel movements, can subside after consuming milk from cows A2.
A small proportion of children with milk allergies still experience digestive problems or allergic symptoms, even though they have consumed this type of milk. However, A2 cow's milk is considered still better than ordinary cow's milk, because it has a more comfortable effect on digestion.
If your child is big enough, you can teach him to avoid foods and drinks that trigger allergies. But if Little is still small, the Mother must be more selective in choosing food and drinks for her consumption. Explain the reading of food or beverage product packaging labels, before being given to children.
