ABSTRACT
Food allergy or allergic food hypersensitivity is defined as an adverse immunologic reaction caused by immunologic mechanisms mediated or not by IgE. It is a complex disease influenced by polygenetic heritance and environmental factors. Many risk factors have been investigated, pre natal and post natal, and variable and controversial results have been obtained. The most important risk factors associated with food allergy are atopy, lack of breast feeding at least three to six months and early weaning (before four-six months).
Subject(s)
Food Hypersensitivity/epidemiology , Food Hypersensitivity/etiology , Humans , Risk FactorsABSTRACT
Milk contains more than 40 proteins and all of them may act like human species antigens. The main allergens are beta lactoglobulin, casein, alpha lactoalbumin and seroalbumin; beta lactoglobulin is a protein not existing in human species and is found in maternal milk in minimal quantities (mcg) due to milky products ingested by the mother, these small quantities are responsible of the highest number of sensitizations to this protein. This article reviews the allergy to the cow-milk's protein, also, a critical route to its diagnosis and management is planted.