ASTHMA IN CHILDREN: PROTECTING YOUR CHILD FROM FOOD ALLERGIES – MILK ALLERGY
Cow or buffalo milk is not an uncommon allergen in infancy, probably because it is the major outside protein food during the early months of life. It has been estimated that milk allergy occurs in approximately 0.5 per cent of all children.Milk allergy manifests itself with a variety of symptoms. The most common symptom is of the infant crying with abdominal pain when he is put on milk other than that of his mother, or when the need is felt to change from one type of milk to another. There may be loose motion and cough. There may also be eczema or urticaria.Whenever possible, infants should be breastfed. This reduces the chances of development of allergic symptoms. Cow milk should not be given till the age of one year to a potentially allergic baby from a family which has a history of allergy.Diagnosing Milk Allergy. In many cases diagnosis cannot be made because allergy to milk is not suspected. The best way to make a diagnosis is by first eliminating milk from the diet, and then reintroducing it. Milk should be eliminated from the diet for a period of at least two weeks. If during this period, there is a marked improvement in the health of the child, or if reintroduction of milk brings back the symptoms, a diagnosis can be established.After the diagnosis is clinched, the offending food must be removed from the diet. Milk prepared from soya beans is a good substitute. If it is not locally available, it can be prepared at home. The soya bean milk should be given for a year or so, and then milk introduced again into the diet. If the child is still not able to tolerate it, soya bean milk should be continued; if fewer symptoms appear, then cow milk may gradually be included into the diet.Soya bean milk is as nutritious as mother’s milk; however, it has to be supplemented with vitamins and minerals.*37\260\8*
