Why Vulnerable Infant Cow Milk Allergy?

Why Vulnerable Infant Cow Milk Allergy? - Cow's milk protein allergy is a form of the most common food allergies experienced by children. An estimated 0.3 to 7.5 percent of children have this allergy, especially in infants aged less than two years. 

One of the factors that make infants susceptible to cow's milk allergy is due to lack of breastfeeding.

According dr.Zakiudin Munasir, Sp.A (K), allergy and immunology experts from the Faculty of Medicine, University of Indonesia, cow's milk allergy is triggered by the immune system of children who consider the protein content in cow's milk as a hazardous substance.

Thus, a child's immune system will fight the protein contained in cow's milk so that the symptoms of an allergic reaction will appear.

"Allergic disorders do not immediately appear. Drinking milk may not be a problem at all. But because baby drinking milk every day, over time the body will form immunoglobulin E, which accumulates to a reaction," he said in an event organized by Nutritalk Husada Sari in Jakarta (16 / 4/14).

Added by Zakiudin, cow milk contains casein and whey proteins can cause allergies. The process of warming will increase the allergenic properties.

Symptoms of allergy to cow's milk can vary, ranging from a red rash on the skin, itching, shortness of breath, to the presence of blood in the stool.

Nevertheless cow's milk allergy will usually disappear when the child was 3 years old. "At this age the child is mature digestive system that can digest cow's milk protein," he said.

To prevent allergies, the baby should be given only breast milk until the age of 6 months. In contrast to formula, breast milk contains antibodies that will reduce the risk of infections and allergies.