Cow’s milk protein allergy and antihistamines using in infants

Abstract

Allergy to cow’s milk is a frequent diagnosis in infants and amounts to 2-3%. In most cases, manifestations of allergy to cow’s milk proteins are combined polyorganic in nature with the involvement of two or more systems of the child’s body, more frequent are lesions of the skin and gastrointestinal mucosa. Supporting breastfeeding remains the first task of a pediatrician when observing a child in the first year of life, but if there is a need to appoint and choose from a variety of formulas for supplementary feeding or as a basic diet, there is a difficult question of choosing the right one. Children at risk without clinical manifestations of allergy to cow’s milk proteins should use hypoallergenic preventive formulas based on partially hydrolyzed cow’s milk proteins. In formed clinical manifestations of allergy – formulas based on highly hydrolyzed protein, and in their severe manifestations – on the basis of amino acids. Unfortunately, a significant part of infants have polyvalent sensitization, so even a properly selected formula does not fully eliminate all symptoms. Therefore, in addition to diet correction, antihistamines, both systemic and topical, as well as hormonal topical remedies, emollients, etc., are often used. Pathogenetic treatment for food allergies has not yet been developed, and the only solution we can make, in addition to elimination diets, is to apply symptomatic therapy. A special problem in pediatrics is the lack of drugs, including antihistamines, allowed for use in children under the age of 1 year. At this age, allowed to use only a few: dimetindene, ceirizine, in emergency cases – chloropyramine, starting with the age of 1 month. Optimal forms of administration for infants may be syrup, suspensions, drops, as well as topical forms - lotion, gel, emulsion or cream. Taking into account many years of experience with dimethindene, clinical data on the efficacy and safety of the drug, allow its use in pediatric practice. The drug has good antihistamine activity, antipruritic, anti-edema and antispastic effect, and is able to quickly and firmly relieve symptoms of allergy.

Keywords

• protein
• cow’s milk
• allergies
• atopic dermatitis
• children under 1 year old
• first generation antihistamines