What is cows milk (protein) allergy?
Cow’s milk protein allergy (also called formula protein allergy) means that the infant (or child or adult) has an abnormal immune system reaction to proteins found in the cow’s milk used to make standard baby formulas. About 30% to 40% of infants who are allergic to cow’s milk are also allergic to the protein in soy formulas. The baby’s immune system “attacks” the proteins in the milk, resulting in symptoms of an allergic reaction. Researchers don’t fully understand the causes of food allergies and why some children develop them and others don’t. However, according to Heidi Kecskemethy, a pediatric dietitian, “Studies have shown that breast-fed infants have a lower risk of developing allergies than those who receive cow or soy milk.” It is believed that in many cases, this type of allergy is triggered by a combination of genetically inherited factors and the early introduction of cow’s milk or soy protein into an infant’s diet. Signs and Symptoms Symptoms of cow’s milk protein allergy
Regular milk is made up of protein, carbohydrates or sugar, fat, vitamins and minerals, and water. It’s the milk protein that causes the allergic reaction in cow’s milk allergy. Cow’s milk protein allergy can develop in both breastfed and formula-fed children. However, breastfed children are usually less likely to develop food allergies of any sort. Occasionally, though, breastfed children develop cow’s milk allergy when they react to the slight amount of cow’s milk protein that’s passed along from their mother’s diet into her breastmilk. In other cases, certain babies can become sensitized to the cow’s milk protein in their mothers’ breastmilk, but don’t actually have an allergic reaction until they’re later introduced to cow’s milk themselves. What are the symptoms of cow’s milk protein allergy? Babies who develop cow’s milk protein allergy may have one or several of the following symptoms: • eczema or skin rash • abdominal pain or cramps • vomiting • or diarrhea Less commonly, some
