NUTRAMIGEN LIPIL 2 - HYPO-ALLERGENIC FORMULA - 400G

Milk Allergies & Intolerances

What is Cow's Milk Protein Allergy or Cow's Milk Protein Intolerance?

Cow's milk allergy/intolerance (CMA/I) affects mainly babies and young children. An allergy occurs when the immune system "over reacts" to the protein found in milk, whereas a cow's milk intolerance is a reaction to milk which may or may not involve the immune system.

Cow's milk and hen's eggs are frequently the cause of allergic reactions in the first year of life. Soya can also be an allergen.

Symptoms

CMA/I is typically characterised by symptoms such as eczema, itchy skin, persistent diarrhoea, repeated vomiting or possetting, refusal to eat, and colic. A baby may have one or more of these symptoms. Sometimes symptoms are delayed and occur a number of hours after eating the food, making diagnosis more difficult.

Food allergies often occur in association with atopic eczema, an inflammatory skin condition. About 50-60% of all infants with atopic eczema also suffer from cow's milk allergy, which can significantly worsen the condition of the skin.

A baby is at higher risk of developing atopic eczema if there is a family history of allergic (atopic) symptoms, that is, if one or both parents have conditions such as asthma, atopic eczema, or hay fever.

What Can I Do?

Breastfeeding is the best choice of feeding for any baby, but it offers even more protection for babies who are at risk of developing food allergies. Breast milk contains protein from the mother which is well tolerated by the baby. It also contains special ingredients that protect the immature gut from foreign substances such as food protein. If you cannot or choose not to breastfeed, and your baby is at high risk of developing atopic eczema, a hypoallergenic formula is recommended to reduce the risk of allergy. Soya formula has not shown any benefit in reducing the risk of atopic eczema.

Treatment of CMA/I

If your doctor diagnoses...