Milk protein allergy – causes, symptoms & therapy

A milk protein allergy is defined as a food allergy to casein or two whey proteins. Experts speak of a cow’s milk allergy, a cow’s milk protein allergy or KMPA. Doctors distinguish whey protein allergy from casein allergy.

In many cases, an allergy to both cow’s milk components can be identified. Whether those affected have to do without cow’s milk products or can enjoy certain cow’s milk products is different. Although milk protein allergy is less common than lactose intolerance , it is one of the eight most common food allergies.

causes

The cause of a cow’s milk allergy is often genetic. Associated causes are an immature immune and digestive system and a lack of enzymes for processing animal proteins . The origin of the milk protein allergy has not yet been fully explained. It affects up to two percent of newborns and young children. Experts suspect other influencing factors.Affected babies and toddlers often have parents who also cannot tolerate milk protein. The immune system of young children is not yet fully developed. The intestinal mucosa is permeable, the necessary digestive enzymes are not yet fully available. The immune system, which is largely located in the intestinal tract, cannot protect the small body from the allergy-causing components of cow’s milk.

The earlier a baby comes into contact with cow’s milk, the more likely it is to become allergic to it. Milk protein allergy often disappears again at school age. This is the case for about 80 percent of those affected. Adults are rarely affected by cow’s milk allergy. In most cases, goat or sheep’s milk is an alternative. Occasionally, those affected also cannot tolerate the milk from other animals. The problem with a cow’s milk allergy is an increased tendency to allergies to other proteins.

When to the doctor?

If an allergy is suspected, a doctor should first be consulted to confirm the suspicion and secure the diagnosis. This rules out the possibility that something else is hiding behind the symptoms that indicate the allergy.

In the case of a milk protein allergy, symptoms appear primarily after the consumption of dairy products. Abdominal or stomach pain that is more severe or occurs more frequently should be evaluated medically. Occasionally, the allergy can cause shock. An ambulance must then be called immediately.

Mood swings and depression can also be indications of a milk protein allergy. These symptoms are not primarily associated with it at first. If they occur, medical advice is recommended in any case.

If it is actually a milk protein allergy, it will not go away on its own, but requires appropriate treatment or diet. With a clear diagnosis and professional consultation with the doctor, the symptoms can be significantly alleviated.

Adjusting your diet often helps. Food that is difficult or impossible to tolerate should be avoided as much as possible. Here, too, consultation with the doctor is necessary so that malnutrition or deficiency symptoms do not occur. In addition, medication is prescribed to relieve the symptoms, especially when avoiding allergens is difficult.

symptoms and course

Typical symptoms of milk protein allergy:

• gas

• nausea

• stomach pain

• Diarrhea

• skin complaints

• itchy skin

Gastrointestinal complaints can occur as classic symptoms in the presence of a milk protein allergy. Typical symptoms are flatulence, nausea, abdominal pain, colic or diarrhea. Skin problems such as chronic skin itching, problems in the mouth and throat or a tendency to eczema can also occur with a cow’s milk allergy.

In some cases, severe respiratory problems such as asthma or circulatory problems manifest themselves through cow’s milk . The most dramatic symptom of severe milk protein allergy is anaphylactic shock . The symptoms of a cow’s milk allergy can already appear from the consumption of tiny amounts of cow’s milk. The problem is that the typical symptoms of a milk protein allergy occasionally appear with a time lag. In this case, it is more difficult to identify the allergy trigger.

Diagnose

The specialist doctor diagnoses a milk protein allergy. First, the existing complaints are clarified in conversation with the child’s parents. The anamnesis provides evidence of parental predispositions. It is then possible to keep a food diary and an elimination diet. Blood tests are also part of the diagnosis . An allergy to components of cow’s milk can result in typical IgE antibodies.

The radio-allergo-sorbent test (RAST test) allows the blood serum of an affected person to be mixed with milk protein and conclusions to be drawn from the reaction of both. The skin prick test can also provide information about a cow’s milk allergy. Here, too, the IgE values ​​are informative. If a person is allergic to cow’s milk, they usually show corresponding skin reactions. If blood tests are inconclusive due to a lack of antibodies, an oral challenge is attempted. Provocation tests are only carried out after other symptoms have subsided.

treatment and therapy

The treatment of a milk protein allergy consists in a consistent avoidance of all cow’s milk products for the affected child. This is especially true for early childhood nutrition after weaning. In this way, the mother ensures that no late damage occurs in the intestinal system and no secondary diseases such as asthma. Occasionally the child’s mother has to follow an elimination diet in order not to have cow’s milk allergens in her body.

As an alternative, switching to other types of milk from animal sources can be tried. Mare, sheep or goat milk have a lower allergenic potential. If these types of animal milk are intolerable for the allergic child, alternatives are rice milk, soy milk, almond milk, spelled milk or oat milk. These are plant-based milk substitute drinks. These may therefore not be sold with the epithet “milk”. If the milk protein allergy is verified, the person concerned must follow a diet.

Above all, the calcium requirement must be ensured. If necessary, vitamins can be supplied via dietary supplements . Since avoiding allergy-causing proteins is helpful, cow’s milk must be eliminated from the menu in all forms of preparation until the milk protein allergy has disappeared.

prevention

Breastfeeding in early childhood is the best way to prevent cow’s milk allergy. On the one hand, breast milk helps to build up the child’s immune system. On the other hand, a breastfeeding mother avoids contact with the potential cow’s milk allergen too early. In many cases, however, long breastfeeding is not possible.In order to keep early childhood nutrition as allergen-free as possible, mothers should avoid all cow’s milk products in their child’s diet as a preventative measure. This advice is especially important for young children whose mother or siblings have had a history of milk protein allergy.

The later a toddler comes into contact with cow’s milk products, the less likely it is to become allergic. Children affected by the allergy develop a greater tolerance to the cow’s milk allergen by the age of six. The intestinal mucosa is already less permeable at this age. The child’s immune system is largely developed. With advancing age, the digestive enzymes are better able to deal with substances suspected of being allergic. In view of the known side effects, it is still controversial whether oral immunotherapy leads to successful desensitization.