Cow's Milk Allergy, Treatment and Prevention

This disease can disrupt the development of small. Here's what to do to ensure they grow up healthy.
There's no talk about disease prevention in infants without citing breast milk. Besides the essential nutrients for the development of small, it is rich in substances that strengthen the immune system, such as antibodies and prebiotics - a type of carbohydrate that stimulates the growth of beneficial bacteria in the gut. In other words, the food provides everything a child needs to grow healthy and also protects it from future infections and allergies.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), the kids should receive breast milk exclusively until 6 months of life. "If the mother is able to extend this period, even better," advises nutritionist Claudia paulistana Cianciulli. In fact, when it comes to food allergies, it works only as a preventative. "There is no proof that eliminating cow's milk from the diet of the mother or child is efficient to prevent the disease," says the expert.
Doctors recommend cutting it's power only when it detects that a child has the same allergy to the protein drink. Then, not only cow's milk, but all its derivatives must leave the menu - this list are part infant formulas based on its protein and products containing substances such as casein, caseinate and whey. "In cases of very strong allergy, some children react immediately to smell the milk," says Wilson Rocha Filho, coordinator of Allos, a referral center for the treatment of food allergy and anaphylaxis in Belo Horizonte.
The main way to circumvent the nuisance without compromising the development of small resorting to infant formula is special. There are three types. The extensively hydrolyzed undergo a process in which the protein is fragmented to lessen the chance of allergic reaction. Those soy are shown only from the second half of life, and where there are skin and respiratory symptoms. "There are allergies mediated by cells and cause gastrointestinal symptoms," explains Claudia Cianciulli. "When that happens, soy is not recommended to replace cow's milk because its protein can also cause allergy." Finally, the formulas of free amino acids are the ones that really can be called non-allergenic. That's because they contain minimal protein fractions, which practically nullifies the risk of disease attack. It is worth mentioning that a 400 g can of this last alternative can cost 400 reais.
Since last year, those who live in the state of Sao Paulo have free access to this type of allergy treatment. For the special formulas, the child must undergo a medical evaluation. In addition, parents need to take a series of documents to the Regional Specialty Clinic Maria Zelia, located at the Federal University of São Paulo, in São Paulo.
Finally, an important caveat: the levels of allergy and reactions of the body vary from child to child. Therefore, it is advisable that parents modify their children's diet without any guidance. "Replacing cow's milk for goat, for example, does not help. The proteins are very similar, "says Roseli Sarni, chairman of the department of Nutrition at the Brazilian Society of Pediatrics. Is the pediatrician, so that should indicate the most appropriate treatment.