A product that can cause a lifelong allergy in children
Pediatrician Diana Protokovilo warns that milk, traditionally considered a healthy children's product, is actually one of the most common allergens. While most children outgrow milk allergy by age 6, a small percentage retain it for life. The doctor describes symptoms of IgE-mediated and non-IgE reactions and recommends introducing milk into the diet after one year, gradually and in small doses.
Pediatrician Diana Protokovilo warns that milk, traditionally considered a healthy and nutritious 'children's' product, is actually one of the most common allergens. Most children 'outgrow' milk allergy by age 6, but a small percentage of people retain it for life. The doctor explains that cow's milk allergy often extends to milk from other animals, such as goat's milk, due to protein similarity. The article details two types of immune reactions: IgE-mediated, with symptoms like itchy rash, swelling of lips and tongue, wheezing, nausea, and anaphylaxis, appearing within two hours; and non-IgE reactions, with symptoms like blood streaks in stool, diarrhea, growth retardation, and constipation, which may appear after several hours. It is recommended to introduce milk into a child's diet after reaching 1 year of age, gradually and in small doses, to monitor the reaction.