How to cure allergies in a child. How to deal with food allergies in children: symptoms and treatment, photos, dietary adjustments and preventive measures What can cause allergies in a child

Allergies in children under 1 year old are quite common. So, according to statistics, 4 out of 10 children at this age suffer from various allergic reactions. This is due to the immaturity of the digestive system, namely, the extremely high permeability of the intestinal walls and insufficient production of specific enzymes of the digestive system. These factors and features of the immune system of the baby create conditions for the penetration of all kinds of allergens into the baby's body.

The risk group for the development of allergic reactions includes children with a aggravated hereditary history (if parents suffer from allergies, the likelihood of its occurrence in a child increases), children with a violation of the formation of intestinal microflora (dysbacteriosis), babies living in an environmentally unfavorable environment.

Causes of allergies in children

Most often, infants have food allergies. In breastfed children, it occurs as a reaction to an allergen that is included in the food of a nursing mother, or during the period of introduction of complementary foods, when the child begins to receive new, previously unknown foods.

In addition, an allergy in a baby can occur as a reaction to contact with household chemicals (washing powder, soap, hygiene products, fabric softeners, etc.) or as a reaction to medicines (taking antibiotics by a mother or baby, taking medicines in the form of syrup (since they contain flavors, dyes and sugars), the use of multivitamin preparations).

How do allergies manifest in children?

The main manifestation of allergy in children is a small punctate rash (up to 5 mm in diameter), which can be localized on any part of the body, but most often on the cheeks, forearms, buttocks, and abdomen. Red spots can merge, forming irregularly shaped foci, and are accompanied by severe itching. It is because of the itching that the child becomes restless, capricious, eats poorly, sleeps.

Also, allergies are characterized by dryness and peeling of the skin, dry crusts on the scalp.

Often, sneezing, swelling of the nasal mucosa, conjunctivitis, as well as disorders of the gastrointestinal tract are added to the allergic rash: regurgitation, colic, flatulence (increased gas formation), stool disorders (constipation or a tendency to diarrhea). The intensity of an allergic reaction in a child does not depend on the amount (dose) of the allergen that has entered the body.

An allergic reaction in a child can occur immediately after contact with the allergen or manifest itself after a few hours.

What can be confused with the manifestations of allergies in a child

Often, young mothers can mistake prickly heat or diaper dermatitis for an allergic reaction in a child.

Prickly heat occurs as a reaction of the child's skin to overheating. The rash with miliaria is localized in the natural folds of the skin (in the armpits, in the inguinal folds, on the neck) and never happens on the face.

Diaper dermatitis is caused by prolonged contact of the skin with a wet cloth. Redness, blisters, peeling appear on the baby's skin in the diaper area.

It is important to remember that not only allergic reactions in children are accompanied by a rash. The cause of skin rashes can be various infectious diseases (measles, rubella, chicken pox, scarlet fever, etc.). In these cases, there are signs of intoxication (weakness, lethargy, drowsiness, loss of appetite) and body temperature rises.

What should I do if my child has an allergy?

The main task in the treatment of allergies in a child is to find and exclude possible allergens.

The occurrence of an allergic reaction in a child is not an indication for stopping breastfeeding. Breast milk cannot cause allergies in a child. On the contrary, it contains a lot of immunoglobulins A, which protect the intestinal mucosa from allergen molecules, and human milk proteins are completely devoid of allergic properties and are easily broken down by crumb enzymes. Since an allergic reaction in a baby is most often provoked by foods rich in allergens that a nursing mother eats, she needs to correct her diet.

First of all, foods with high allergenic properties should be excluded from the diet of a nursing mother: eggs, fish, seafood, citrus fruits, cow's milk, meat broths, strawberries, kiwi raspberries, strawberries, pineapples, honey, nuts, chocolate, cocoa, mushrooms, tomatoes, carrots, wheat, rye - and limit the consumption of foods with average allergenic properties: chicken, beef, potatoes, peaches, apricots, cherries, rose hips, cranberries, bananas, black currants, beets.

It is important to remember that any diet of a nursing mother must be balanced: foods that are excluded from her diet are replaced with equivalent nutritional value from a low-allergenic food group (sour-milk products, rabbit meat, turkey, zucchini, cauliflower and white cabbage, broccoli, cucumbers , gooseberries, green apples, pears, millet, barley, etc.)

After the mother switches to a hypoallergenic diet, the baby's condition should improve within three days. If this does not happen, you need to consult a doctor - a pediatrician or an allergist.

To reduce the severity of allergic elements on the skin and reduce itching, it is recommended to bathe the baby daily in water with the addition of decoctions of string or chamomile.

Remember that anti-allergic drugs and topical skin treatments cannot be used alone. The dosage of the drug and the frequency of use should be prescribed by the doctor.

Quincke's edema, which causes asthma attacks due to swelling of the larynx, is considered an extremely dangerous manifestation of an allergy in a child. Signs of the development of this reaction are shortness of breath, a barking cough, a hoarse, hoarse voice, and a cyanotic skin tone. If a baby has these symptoms, it is urgent to call an ambulance, since this condition is a threat to the life of the baby.

What can not be done when a rash appears?

use alcohol solutions and anti-allergic drugs without a doctor's prescription;
smear rashes with greasy creams or ointments;
give your child antibiotics.

clothes for the baby should be made of natural or cotton fabrics;
to care for the baby, use only special hypoallergenic baby products (shampoo, bathing foam, cream, etc.);
for washing baby clothes and clothes, choose baby soap or a special baby laundry detergent. It is also important to rinse baby clothes well after washing. When hand washing, things are rinsed 2-3 times until the water becomes completely transparent; when machine washing, it is necessary to select the extra rinse mode;
ventilate the premises 3-4 times a day, do wet cleaning daily, get rid of woolen carpets and blankets, flowering and strong-smelling plants.

Allergies in children occur at any age, and at each stage of growing up, its symptoms change. So, an allergy in an infant is more often manifested by skin reactions, in babies after 3 years, respiratory symptoms predominate.

As you grow older, the manifestations of the disease become more and more dangerous, and with untimely help, they can remain for life or go into bronchial asthma and autoimmune pathologies. Recognizing allergic symptoms at home is difficult, as it is similar to many other childhood diseases. What to do if a child has an allergy and how to treat it, we will consider further.

What is a childhood allergy

Allergy is the hypersensitivity of the immune system to repeated exposure to an allergen on an organism previously sensitized by it.

Causes of allergies in children

The same factors can have different effects on children. Some babies react to potential allergens with an immune response, others do not. The most prone to allergic reactions are children with:

Any product, medication or household chemicals can trigger an immune response. The following allergens are considered the most dangerous in terms of the development of a reaction:

dust and dust mites;
vaccines;
mold fungi;
pollen;
drugs: sulfonamides, antibiotics, local anesthetics;
food: red vegetables and fruits, nuts, seafood, milk, eggs, legumes, citrus fruits, cereals, honey;
stings of wasps and bees;
dust mites, cockroaches, animal hair;
chemicals: washing powders, conditioners, soaps, shower gels, scented shampoos.

There are some features of the disease at different ages. Children of the first year of life are more prone to food and contact allergies (to hygiene products, urine, feces, diapers). A reaction to pollen and pet hair is more common in a child 2 to 5 years old. Drug allergies are more common in early childhood and preschool than in adolescence.

Allergies in newborns in most cases are the result of bad habits or non-compliance by the mother with a low-allergenic diet during pregnancy.

Types of allergies in children

The most common types of allergies in childhood are:

Food allergy - occurs as a result of the use of allergenic foods.
Medicinal - the reaction of the immune system to the intake of various medications. Often combined with a food reaction.
Respiratory - develops when the allergen is inhaled.
Pollinosis, autumn allergy or hay fever - appears annually when certain plants bloom.
Quincke's edema - may occur in response to a strong food, drug irritant or insect bite.
Urticaria is an allergic reaction to any irritant from the skin.
Cold allergy is a reaction to cold, manifested by difficulty in breathing, itching and flushing of the skin.
Allergy to the sun - develops with prolonged exposure to ultraviolet rays on unprotected children's skin.
Atopic dermatitis is a manifestation of an immune response from the skin.
Diathesis - most typical for newborns, appears in the form of diaper rash, scabs on the cheeks, seborrhea.

Symptoms and signs of allergies in children

The manifestations of the disease are different, so it is easy to confuse allergies with a number of other pathologies. Symptoms can occur from the respiratory, digestive system, skin. Often, the reactions of several organs or systems proceed together. When exposed to strong allergens, instant-type reactions can develop.

Respiratory manifestations

Most often, catarrhal phenomena occur when an allergen enters through the respiratory tract. Provocateurs of respiratory allergies are most often gases, plant pollen, fine dust and pet hair. Symptoms:

sneezing
rhinitis;
allergic swelling of the nose;
itching or burning in the nose;
shortness of breath, shortness of breath, obsessive cough;
wheezing in the lungs;
bronchial asthma.

How does the reaction on the skin

Dermatosis is manifested by various irritations and rashes on the skin of any part of the body. More often, allergies appear on the cheeks, buttocks, back, abdomen, hands, legs, head, around the mouth. Rarely, rashes can be seen in the groin, on the testicles, armpits, under the knees, on the palms and feet, behind the ears. Skin changes are provoked by contact (household chemicals, insect bites), food and drug allergens. Main features:

hyperemia of the skin;
peeling;
dryness;
severe swelling;
blisters.

What does allergic conjunctivitis look like?

Signs of damage to the mucous membrane of the eyes:

photosensitivity;
lacrimation;
swelling of the eyelids;
burning in the eyes.

Gastrointestinal manifestations

Most often appear with drug and food allergies:

diarrhea or constipation;
nausea, vomiting;
colic;
swelling of the lips, tongue.

Anaphylactic shock

The most dangerous manifestation of an allergy. Occurs after an insect bite or ingestion of a drug allergen. Symptoms develop from a few seconds to 5 hours from the moment of penetration of the allergen:

sudden shortness of breath;
loss of consciousness;
convulsions;
rash on the body;
involuntary defecation, vomiting, urination.

What is the danger of allergies in children

The most dangerous complication of contact with an allergen is a severe allergic reaction in the form of anaphylactic shock or Quincke's edema. Young children are prone to developing atopic dermatitis. Older children may develop asthma.

If left untreated, severe allergies can be fatal.

Diagnosis: how to find out what a child is allergic to

An allergic reaction is a reason to contact a pediatrician or an allergist. To establish a diagnosis and identify an irritant, examination alone is not enough. You can confirm the disease with the help of various tests and allergy tests:

Skin tests - make it possible to determine the type of allergen in a few minutes.
A blood test (IgE level) is performed if there are contraindications to skin allergy tests.
Application or skin tests - allow you to determine the causes of eczema and contact dermatitis.
Provocative tests are the most effective and reliable research method.

How to cure allergies

Before starting a specific treatment, the allergen must be eliminated. In case of food hypersensitivity, it is necessary to follow a hypoallergenic diet for a nursing woman and an infant. Complementary foods are postponed for the period of treatment. Formula-fed children are advised to introduce hypoallergenic mixtures.

How to cure allergies: medicines

Drug treatment is aimed at eliminating the allergic reaction and reducing its symptoms. The following groups of allergy medications may be used:

Antihistamines - block or reduce the production of histamine. Available in various dosage forms. Tablets for systemic administration, ointments - to relieve itching and inflammation, drops - for the treatment of conjunctivitis or rhinitis of allergic etiology. Names of drugs:

Loratadine;
Fenistil;
Zyrtec;
Suprastin;
Eden;
Tavegil.

Decongestants are used primarily to treat allergic rhinitis and hay fever. Items:

xylometazoline;
Oxymetazoline.

Hormonal drugs - used in severe forms of allergies:

Dexamethasone;
Prednisolone.

Homeopathy - drugs are selected exclusively by a homeopathic doctor, depending on the type of allergic reaction, the prevailing symptoms, the age of the child and his physiological characteristics. Preparations:

Sulfur 6;
Rus 3;
Belladonna 3, 6;
Antimonium Krudum 3, 6.

The most effective method of treating the disease is SIT - specific immunotherapy. The method is based on the gradual introduction of increasing doses of the allergen until the body loses sensitivity to it.

Prevention of allergic reactions

If the baby is predisposed to allergic diseases, the following preventive measures must be observed:

maximize breastfeeding;
exclude food allergens;
introduce complementary foods carefully, according to the recommendations of the pediatrician;
often carry out wet cleaning;
avoid smoking indoors;
limit the contact of the child with animals;
use hypoallergenic household chemicals and baby care cosmetics. Well proven natural hypoallergenic detergent Soap Nuts;
choose underwear and clothes for the baby from natural materials;
regularly carry out antifungal treatment in the premises.

doctor pays attention

At an early age, the results of allergy tests can be false negative, due to the property of allergic reactions to occur after prolonged (sometimes many years) contact with an irritant.
Temperature with allergies is an uncharacteristic phenomenon. Fever against the background of an established diagnosis may indicate concomitant inflammation. Temperature can also indicate a viral allergy, when the body reacts to infection with a virus not only with an immune response, but also with an allergic reaction. If the diagnosis of allergy in a child is in question, then rashes, dyspepsia and temperature may indicate an infectious disease in the baby.
You can relieve itching with allergies in a small child with the help of a series - a safe anti-inflammatory and sedative. A series can be taken orally, bathe the child in a bath with a decoction of herbs, or lubricate the affected areas of the skin with it.

Allergy is an unpleasant phenomenon for both children and parents. Symptoms of the disease cause significant physical discomfort to the child and determine the peculiarities of caring for him. With timely treatment of allergic reactions, the risk of their persistence for life is significantly reduced.

Allergy is the body's immune response to allergens, which occurs with damage to organs and tissues. Today, about 30% of the population suffers from allergies, most of them are children.

Children's allergy has some features. First of all, we are talking about the most significant allergens that can cause a reaction in the body of a child.

Before the age of five, food allergens are the most common cause of allergies in children. The most allergenic foods are: eggs, milk, nuts, fish.

Over the age of five, children most often suffer from household allergies caused by dust, in addition, children at this age may be prone to pollen allergies.

Let's find out together why children have allergies, what are its main causes, how to treat allergies in children?

The main causes of childhood allergies

Today, about 30% of the population suffers from allergies, most of them are children.

Modern medicine identifies several main causes of different types of allergies in children:

- heredity- the most common cause of allergies, as you know, a predisposition to allergies can be transmitted from parents, if the mother suffers from allergies, then the child will also have allergies in 20-70% of cases, if the father is allergic - the child will have allergies at 12-40 % of cases, if both parents are susceptible to allergies, then the child in 80% of cases will also suffer from allergies;

- frequent infectious diseases, they create the prerequisites for the development of allergies, infectious diseases are especially dangerous in childhood;

- sterile living conditions, the body needs to deal with various kinds of bacteria, infections in order to form immunity, excessive sterility in the room can interfere with this process;

- ecology, allergies can be caused by adverse environmental factors, for example, polluted air, harmful exhausts, and so on;

- diseases of the internal organs especially diseases of the gastrointestinal tract.

All of these reasons are considered to be the main factors that determine a child's propensity to develop allergies. It is important to note that there are many types of allergies, depending on which organs an allergic reaction occurs, but the nature of all types of allergies is the same - it is hypersensitivity to certain allergens.

The main allergens: where is the danger hiding?

As you know, allergens that can provoke allergic reactions can be hidden anywhere: in the apartment, on the street, in food, clothes and cosmetics. What are the main allergens that can provoke childhood allergies?

Household allergens: dust mites, house dust, pillow feathers, household chemicals. Most often, household allergens cause allergic diseases of the respiratory tract. Research scientists have shown that approximately 50% of allergy sufferers have a reaction to household allergens.

insect allergens: poison of stinging, saliva of biting insects. These allergens can cause local and general allergic reactions.

epidermal allergens: dandruff and animal hair, bird feathers, fish scales. The most common allergy is to cats and dogs. This type of allergy is usually manifested by respiratory symptoms.

Any drug can cause an allergy, but vitamins, antibiotics, local anesthetics, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, and drugs to reduce pressure are considered the most allergenic. Drug allergy can be manifested by allergic diseases of any organs.

Pollen allergens: pollen with a diameter of no more than 35 microns, that is, microscopic pollen that is easily carried by the wind, settles on hair, clothes. Symptoms of pollen allergy are seasonal in nature, because each season corresponds to the flowering of a particular plant species. Pollen allergens most often cause rhinitis, conjunctivitis, and allergic asthma.

Food allergens: most often allergens are fish, meat, eggs, milk, chocolate, wheat, beans, tomatoes. Food allergens in most cases cause diseases of the gastrointestinal tract, skin diseases, as well as diseases of the respiratory system.