Treatment of allergies in infants. Signs with photos and treatment of food allergies in newborns and infants: what do the symptoms look like and when do they go away? Allergy ointment for newborns

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How an allergy manifests itself in a baby, how long it takes for it to go away, and whether it can be identified on your own – we’ll look at it in this article.

Allergies in an infant: causes

Allergies in newborn babies under one year of age are a problem for many modern parents. This is explained by the fact that the protective (immune) system in children is at the stage of formation and is not able to correctly perform its functions. Therefore, the body is not protected from the adverse effects of allergens.

The baby's intestines and delicate skin react especially sensitively to all sorts of irritants. Therefore, already at the initial stage of development of the allergic process, gastrointestinal disorders occur and skin abnormalities form.

Various nutrients and external factors can act as provocateurs of an allergic reaction in an infant.

Doctors identify the following reasons:

Genetic predisposition - in this case, one or both parents have a tendency to develop pathology;
Dysbacteriosis – artificially-bred children are at risk; the gastrointestinal tract is not saturated with beneficial bacteria contained in mother’s milk;
Incorrect nutrition of a pregnant woman - predilection for highly allergenic foods or consumption of food high in harmful ingredients (milk, chocolate, citrus fruits, honey, eggs, etc.);
Availability bad habits parents – smoking, drinking alcohol, drugs;
Feeding babies with unadapted formulas from an early age or frequent changes in composition;
Premature or incorrect introduction of complementary foods;
Vaccination;
Constant contact with surrounding irritants - animal hair, dust, fluff, etc.;
Infectious pathologies during pregnancy (for example: rubella, tonsillitis, hepatitis);
Taking antimicrobial medications and antacids;
Unfavorable ecology in the region of residence.

Types and forms of allergies in infants

According to the nature of the course, the pathology is divided into two types - acute and chronic.

In the first case, signs of allergy appear several hours or days after interaction with the irritant. With correct therapy, all symptoms completely disappear after 2 to 3 days.

The chronic form of the disease is characterized by a longer course (3 - 4 weeks). Secondary contact with the allergen often provokes repeated relapses.

The classification of types of allergies is shown in the table.

Main symptoms of pathology

Childhood allergies in infants occur in mild (presence of one or more signs) and severe forms.

The disease may appear 2–3 hours after interaction with the allergen, or it may be cumulative and develop over 1–2 months.

The dominant symptoms of allergies in children under one year old include:

♦ Rash – rashes range from mild redness to severe spots, blisters and fluid-filled ulcers. At the site of the lesion there is peeling and dryness of the epidermis. Most often, allergies in infants appear on the face, neck, knee and elbow bends, cheeks, head and buttocks.

♦ Digestive anomalies - manifests itself in the form of frequent regurgitation, disruption of normal bowel movements, colic, and increased gas formation. This clinical picture is typical for a food allergy in infants - the child develops constipation, resulting in intoxication of the whole body, which results in a skin rash.

♦ Respiratory signs – if the allergen lives in environment, then symptoms similar to ARVI may be observed. A runny nose (transparent discharge), swelling of the nasopharynx and larynx occurs, the voice becomes hoarse, tearfulness increases, and redness of the eyes is observed.

♦ Deterioration of the psycho-emotional state - the baby becomes capricious, excessively restless, sleep and appetite are disturbed. Babies often cry for no reason.

What does an allergy look like in infants?

The main fact indicating the development of an allergic process in children is the presence of skin rashes. They may look different. It could be:

small rash;
large scarlet/pink spots;
eczema;
blisters of any size;
cracks;
diaper rash;
hyperemia;
the presence of crusts on the skin, etc.

Skin lesions spread throughout the body or are localized in a specific area:

face (cheeks, labial triangle);

limbs;

hairline;

groin area.

How to distinguish heat rash from allergies in a baby?

With heat rash, babies develop rashes (small blisters located close to each other) on the bottom, upper back and in the folds.

The reasons for this reaction include:

overheating, severe sweating;
high temperature, humidity in the room;
improper care (rarely changing diapers, tight clothes made of synthetic materials, etc.).

Miliaria quickly goes away with proper care of the child; usually, water procedures are sufficient. Allergies cannot be cured without the use of antihistamines and elimination of the agent.

How to identify the disease?

To establish an accurate diagnosis, as well as find out what causes the baby’s allergies, it is necessary to undergo a number of diagnostic procedures:

examination by specialists (pediatrician, allergist, dermatologist, nutritionist);
performing skin tests;
a blood test for allergies in an infant - allows you to identify foods and other irritants that provoke pathology;
if necessary - ultrasound abdominal cavity.

How to determine what a baby is allergic to?

When the disease is caused by improper nutrition of the mother or child, it is necessary to determine the allergen that caused the reaction. When breastfeeding (hereinafter referred to as breastfeeding), you should remove all harmful foods from the mother’s diet, and also remember what you consumed in the last 24 hours.

If the allergy is caused by incorrect introduction of bait, then remove the food from the baby’s diet that caused the condition to worsen. Repeated feeding with this product is possible no earlier than 1 month, after complete recovery.

What foods should a nursing mother avoid:

whole milk;
bakery;
pasta;
oatmeal/millet;
chocolate;
eggs;
bee products;
fried, spicy food;
fish;
reduce the consumption of sour vegetables and fruits.

To reduce the risk of gastrointestinal problems, try not to feed your child more than the established norm;
Drinking regime - give your baby more liquid, this will help quickly remove toxic substances from the body;
The bathing procedure should last at least 10 - 15 minutes, try to use only boiled water, bathing the child with soap/shampoo is allowed no more than once a week;
The baby's room should not be hot (the ideal temperature is 18 - 22 degrees) and dusty; wet cleaning is recommended to be done 1 - 3 times a day.

How to treat allergies?

To treat allergies in children, it is necessary to carry out a number of complex procedures, including taking medications, a special diet, treating lesions (ointments, creams, gels), and hygienic baths.

Speaking about how long a baby’s allergies go away, it can be noted that in 2–3 days the condition of the skin and its well-being noticeably improves. But a quick result depends on the strict implementation of all the doctor’s recommendations and instructions.

Drug treatment

Medicines are prescribed at the discretion of the doctor; in general, eliminating the irritant is sufficient. When treating infants with drugs, you should be very careful, as they often cause various allergic reactions.

Depending on the situation, the pediatrician may prescribe the following medications.

Traditional methods

Treat allergies in infants with folk recipes should be done with extreme caution. Before using any recipe, make sure you are intolerant to any of the ingredients.

Baths with the addition of a decoction of herbs (chamomile, string, mint, sage, celandine) effectively help eliminate itching and rashes on the skin.

To lubricate the affected areas of the skin, use one of the following compositions:

infusion of rosehip and bay leaf (1 - 2 pcs.);
aqueous solution of mumiyo (1g per 100 ml of water);
ointment made of glycerin and rice starch;
aloe juice and Vaseline.

Prevention

To protect your child from various allergic reactions, pediatricians advise following the rules of prevention:

maintain breastfeeding for as long as possible, if this is not possible, feed the baby only with high-quality formulas;
for the period of breastfeeding, follow a special diet;
start complementary feeding according to the baby’s age;
carry out daily wet cleaning of the home;
organize a flow of fresh air into the room.

The spread of allergic reactions, primarily to food, has not spared newborn children, whose allergies, unfortunately, often occur in a more severe form than in adults. Often mothers who breastfeed their baby mistakenly believe that in this case the child is insured against allergies. This is not true, because allergens can also be contained in breast milk. How to recognize allergy symptoms in a child, and what measures should parents take in this case?

Substances that trigger allergic reactions are called allergens. Food allergies are usually caused by proteins contained in food products or synthetic substances (dyes, preservatives). Food allergens can change their properties during cooking, with some losing their allergenicity, while others, on the contrary, becoming more allergenic.

What is the mechanism of the allergic reaction? In response to an allergen, the body synthesizes immunoglobulins E, which activate a cascade of reactions leading to the development of allergic symptoms. Typically, allergic reactions occur soon after eating a product to which you are hypersensitive, but sometimes the allergy is delayed, appearing only a few hours after eating the product.

Symptoms of food allergies in a child

So, food allergy is a state of hypersensitivity to food. It can manifest itself in different ways:

In the form of allergic skin lesions:

various rashes on the body,
redness,
itching and peeling of the skin of the cheeks (sometimes such phenomena are called “diathesis”),
persistent diaper rash, despite careful hygiene measures,
profuse prickly heat with mild overheating,
gneiss (formation of scales, peeling) on the scalp and eyebrows,
hives,
Quincke's edema (a type of allergic reaction characterized by the sudden appearance of swelling of the skin, subcutaneous tissue and mucous membranes).

In the form of lesions gastrointestinal tract (with swelling of the mucous membrane):

regurgitation,
vomit,
frequent and loose stools with foam or mixed with greens,
constipation,
colic,
flatulence.

Less often - in the form of respiratory disorders(with swelling of the mucous membrane respiratory tract):

allergic rhinitis,
bronchospasm (with bronchospasm, air does not enter the airways or enters with great difficulty - this is the most dangerous outcome of allergic edema).

Quincke's edema is especially dangerous for a newborn. With Quincke's edema in the larynx, suffocation occurs, similar to an attack of bronchial asthma. With swelling of the larynx, first there is hoarseness of voice, a barking cough, then shortness of breath with noisy breathing. The complexion acquires a bluish tint, then suddenly turns pale.

There are also combined lesions of the skin and intestines, skin and bronchi. Food allergies can be a precursor to other allergic diseases: atopic dermatitis, bronchial asthma, etc.

Causes of food allergies in infants

The question quite naturally arises: where do infants get allergies? The fact is that in breastfed children, food allergies can be caused by foods consumed by the nursing mother; if the baby is bottle-fed - foods consumed by the baby.

What is the likelihood of a child developing a food allergy? Heredity primarily predisposes people to the development of allergic reactions. An increased risk of food allergies exists in children whose families have a history of allergies. If one of the parents suffers from allergies, the risk of developing such a disease in the child is 37%, and if both parents suffer from allergic diseases, the risk level reaches 62%.

In addition to hereditary factors, allergic reactions in a newborn can be caused by fetal hypoxia (oxygen deficiency) during pregnancy and childbirth, acute respiratory viral infections suffered by the baby and intestinal infections with subsequent disruption of the composition of the intestinal microflora. The occurrence of food allergies in infants is associated with the functional characteristics of their digestive tract: still low enzyme activity, low level of production of IgA - protective antibodies located on the surface of the mucous membranes of the gastrointestinal tract. They provide local protection of the intestinal mucosa from foreign agents. And since a newborn is characterized by increased permeability of mucous membranes, allergens easily penetrate into the blood. And of course, allergic reactions are associated with disturbances in the nutrition of a nursing mother, with her excessive consumption of highly allergenic foods.

A negative role is played by maternal smoking during pregnancy, the presence of chronic cardiovascular and bronchopulmonary diseases, as well as infectious diseases suffered by the mother during pregnancy, and antibiotic therapy carried out in connection with this. It is believed that children whose mothers consumed highly allergenic foods during pregnancy, which include cow's milk, chicken eggs, caviar, seafood, orange and red fruits and vegetables and juices from them, as well as kiwi, coffee, cocoa, chocolate, mushrooms, nuts, honey, have a risk of becoming allergic.

Diagnosis of allergies

If a child develops symptoms similar to those described above, it is necessary to consult a pediatrician, pediatric allergist or nutritionist. In case of severe symptoms of food allergy, especially with combined lesions, when there is, for example, a skin rash and manifestations from the gastrointestinal tract, hospitalization in a specialized hospital may be necessary.

The diagnosis is established using:

parent survey data,
establishing a connection between the occurrence of allergies and the intake of certain foods,
examination of the child,
blood tests: allergies are indicated by high levels of total immunoglobulin E, an increased number of eosinophils in the blood test,
ultrasound examination of the abdominal organs, which allows us to exclude the non-allergic nature of symptoms from the stomach and intestines.

Indirect evidence that painful symptoms are a consequence of food allergies can be the facts of the disappearance of allergies after the mother stops taking allergenic foods and the positive effect of using anti-allergy medications.

Another fundamental question: what exactly is the child allergic to? To identify causally significant allergens in children of the first year of life, blood is taken from a vein and the presence of specific immunoglobulins E is determined. For older children and adults, the skin test method is used: reference allergens are applied to the surface of the skin (a certain standard set of allergens, which includes eggs , citrus fruits, chocolate, fish, etc.), and after a certain time the results are evaluated. Such studies should be carried out before or after antiallergic treatment.

The so-called food diary helps to identify the causative allergen, in which the mother regularly (at least 3-7 days) notes all types of food and drink received by her or the baby during the day, indicates the composition of the dishes, the features of their culinary processing, the time of feeding and the appearance of unwanted reactions (loose stools, regurgitation, skin rashes, etc.).

Treatment of allergies in an infant

Treatment of food allergies begins with diet, exclusion of the causative food allergen from the diet. But you shouldn’t “fight” allergies on your own; otherwise, it can be aggravated; in each specific case, the treatment tactics should be determined by a pediatrician, allergist or nutritionist.

First aid for bronchospasm caused by allergic edema:

Immediately call an ambulance by calling 03. Consult how much of the antihistamine you have at home should be given to your child, taking into account his age.
Give the child an antihistamine - Suprastin, Loratadine (Claritin), Cetirizine (Zodak), if in tablets - crush and dilute with water, in as a last resort- Diphenhydramine (Diphenhydramine), Diprazine, Diazolin.

If the baby is breastfed, then first all potential allergens are excluded from the mother’s diet for 1-2 weeks, including industrial products containing crystalline sugar, preservatives, fat emulsifiers and artificial colors (these substances are listed on the label as and are designated - emulsifiers, dyes). Salt, sugar, strong broths, fried foods are completely excluded. The amount of dairy products is also limited. Note that for a child with food allergies it is important to maintain natural feeding.

Excluded: Highly allergenic products: fish, seafood, caviar, chicken eggs, mushrooms, nuts, honey, chocolate, coffee, cocoa, bright red and orange fruits and berries, radishes, radishes, kiwi, pineapples, avocados, grapes, broths, marinades, sauerkraut, salty and spicy foods, canned food, spices, onions, garlic. Products containing dyes, preservatives (canned food, semi-finished products): mayonnaise, sauces, adjika, tkemali, ketchup, chips, soft cheeses, smoked meats, ham, sausages, sausages, glazed drinks, kvass, beer. Limited to: Whole milk (porridge only), sour cream - in dishes. Bakery products and pasta made from premium flour, semolina. Confectionery, sugar, salt. Allowed: Dairy products: cottage cheese, kefir, biokefir, bifidoc, acidophilus, yoghurts without fruit additives, hard cheeses, etc. Cereals: buckwheat, corn, rice, oatmeal, etc. Vegetables and fruits: green and white color. Soups: vegetarian and cereal. Meat: lean varieties of beef, pork, turkey fillet, boiled, dried chicken, and also in the form of steamed cutlets. Low-fat fish varieties: cod, hake, pike perch, etc. Vegetable oil. Bakery products: 2nd grade wheat bread, rye bread, unleavened cookies, baked goods without custard. Beverages: tea, compotes, fruit drinks, mineral water without gas

If the baby is bottle-fed or mixed-fed, most likely the cause of the food allergy is the cow's milk proteins (a special examination will determine this for sure) found in the baby formula; Therefore, it is necessary to partially or completely replace the milk formula with specialized hypoallergenic formulas (prescribed by a doctor) based on soy protein or special mixtures in which the protein is broken down to the level of individual amino acids (hydrolyzed mixtures) - in this case, the development of allergies is impossible. But this diet also has disadvantages: a child may become intolerant to soy protein, and hydrolyzed mixtures have an unpleasant taste and are expensive.

Further, if it is possible to identify the main source of the allergy, clarifications can be made to the previously carried out hypoallergenic diet - the product that caused the allergic reaction can be excluded. This diet should be followed for 1-3 months.

As a result of eliminating the allergen, the signs of food allergy should disappear or decrease, then the mother’s diet can be gradually expanded (however, highly allergenic foods are excluded).

When treating food allergies, your doctor may prescribe antihistamines, adsorbents, various creams and ointments for local skin treatment, including hormonal ones; in severe cases, hormones are administered intravenously. Correction of intestinal microflora is also carried out with preparations containing bifidobacteria and lactobacilli.

If your baby is allergic:

Complementary feeding should be avoided until the baby is 6 months old; in addition, you should start with those types of baby food that are most likely not to cause an allergic reaction and consist of one component; Cow's milk, chicken eggs, citrus fruits, wheat products, fish, seafood, nuts are best introduced into a child's diet after 1-2 years;

remember that any product used in a child’s diet, especially an early age, can cause allergic reactions;
it is necessary to monitor regular bowel movements, if the child has constipation, which increases the manifestations of the disease or is its main cause (allergens do not have time to leave the intestines in a timely manner, are absorbed into the blood and cause allergies), solve the problem with the help of a doctor;
It is better not to use pharmacological agents in the form of syrups containing various additives (dyes, flavors) that can cause or intensify allergies;
the water temperature during water procedures should be moderately warm, and the duration of the procedure should not exceed 20 minutes;
You can use only specialized children's hypoallergenic cosmetics (pH-neutral);
It is better to filter bathing water or let it sit for 1-2 hours for the purpose of dechlorination, followed by adding boiling water; You should avoid swimming in pools with chlorinated water or take a moderately warm shower after the session using mild cleansers;
Do not rub your child’s skin with washcloths; after bathing, the skin should be carefully blotted with a soft towel and a moisturizing, skin-softening agent should be applied;
the child’s clothes should be made from natural materials; in case of severe allergic skin reactions, they can be ironed; pillows and blankets must have synthetic fillers; the baby should be dressed rationally, avoiding overheating, which provokes allergic dermatitis;
the materials from which toys are made must meet all safety requirements;
it is better to limit the use of synthetic detergents (toilet soaps with additives, bath foams, shower gels, etc.) or they should be marked “hypoallergenic”;
It is not recommended to keep pets or even aquarium fish, dry food for which can aggravate allergies;
the air in the home should be clean, cool, moderately humid; It is advisable to take more walks with your child.

Many parents wonder whether their child’s food allergies will stop as they get older. As they grow, the functions of the liver and intestines and the immune system improve, which allows us to hope for the cessation of allergies to milk, eggs, vegetables, etc., especially if parents take anti-allergic measures. Only 1-2% of children continue to have food allergies into adulthood.

Food allergies in infants are a fairly common occurrence that almost all parents periodically encounter. The body of a newborn, immediately after birth, just begins its long process of adaptation. He will have to face for the first time a large number of food products to which a negative reaction may occur. In the first month of a child's life, red spots on the face may appear and disappear. Most often, the situation is observed against the background of hormonal changes in a nursing mother. Some babies get the rash while still in the womb. Allergies in infants, as a rule, do not require treatment and go away on their own within a short time.

Food allergies in infants are characterized by a special rash. This type of negative reaction can only be eliminated through diet. Pediatricians suggest that mothers take medications only as a last resort, because they can negatively affect the overall health of the baby.

Self-medication is dangerous, so it is necessary to consult a doctor who is familiar with the young patient’s medical history.

Manifestations of food allergies

Parents should know the symptoms that will allow them to recognize the pathology at the first stage of development. These signs appear in almost all children in the same way:

A rash and severe redness appear on the baby's skin. The baby feels uncomfortable due to itching and flaking. If treatment is not started on time, diaper rash, prickly heat and urticaria will appear. The most dangerous thing is Quincke's edema, because it can be fatal.
As a result of food allergies, the gastrointestinal tract also suffers. The baby begins to spit up and vomit frequently. There is also deterioration in stool, which manifests itself in the form of diarrhea or constipation. Colic and excessive flatulence prevent the baby from getting a good night's sleep.
Among the organs of the respiratory system, a negative situation most often manifests itself against the background of a stuffy nose and runny nose. The baby often coughs and sneezes. The situation may be aggravated by the development of bronchial asthma.

Parents are interested in the question of how food allergies manifest in newborns? Children suffer greatly from the flow of tears and irritation in the eye area. Additionally, it should be noted that disturbances in the functioning of the respiratory and digestive organs are symptoms of a large number of diseases. Diarrhea also occurs when food poisoning. That is why only a specialist in this field should analyze the symptoms of a negative condition in infants.

In case of allergic manifestations, consultation is provided by an allergist or pediatrician. The first of them can identify the pathogen within a short time and choose the right course of treatment. When breastfeeding, it is not allowed to independently determine medications for the baby.

Almost every baby has experienced an individual intolerance to a certain product at least once in their life.

In this case, spots on the skin appear within two hours after the food allergens penetrate inside. However, there have also been cases where a negative reaction appeared two days after consuming a certain food product. Most often it occurs on components that are absorbed exclusively in the intestines. Such consequences in infants, when the allergen is excluded, go away on their own within a maximum of three weeks.

The period during which an allergy to certain foods goes away depends on the following factors:

What portion of the allergenic product did the baby receive?
Is it possible to immediately eliminate this ingredient from the diet?
Was the doctor able to choose the correct course of treatment?
Condition is important immune system. If protective reactions work well, then there will be no negative effect on the baby’s body.

Allergies in newborns appear up to two years of age. Dangerous foods include eggs, milk and red vegetables. In the period from two to four years, such a negative reaction is minimized. However, if an individual intolerance to fish or seafood has been identified, the person will have it for life. That is why such dishes can be introduced into the diet of babies no earlier than eight months. In some cases, this process should be delayed up to two years.

Features of treatment

If parents have already learned what a food allergy looks like, then it is necessary to select the correct course of treatment. At the first stage, the irritating product is completely excluded from the diet of the baby and the nursing mother. Allergies on the face appear to foods high in protein, eggs and vegetables. A hypoallergenic diet helps to quickly get rid of negative symptoms. Mommy must follow all her principles exactly.

A food allergy can be cured only if the product that caused the negative reaction is completely eliminated from the diet. After a certain period, it is allowed to reintroduce them into the diet. In this case, the body’s reaction is monitored for 48 hours.

Mothers are faced with the question of how to treat their baby’s individual intolerance.

Only a doctor can choose the right course of treatment. Enterosgel is often used to eliminate itching and red spots. The medication is available in the form of a paste and helps remove toxins and allergens themselves from the body.

If the baby is already one month old, then food allergies can be treated with Fenistil. It is advisable to use the drug in case of extensive skin damage. Active Ingredients quickly and effectively relieve inflammation.

Drops of Zyrtec or Fenistil help eliminate lacrimation and swelling of the eyes. The latter option often causes side effects. If the allergy is accompanied by a gastrointestinal tract disorder, then it is advisable to take activated carbon.

Zirtex - drops for lacrimation due to allergies

If children develop a rash due to eating food, then they should not be given Suprastin and Tavegil. The drugs have pronounced antihistamine properties. Their effect can be noticed almost immediately, and the effect after discontinuation of the drug also becomes invisible. Most pills have a long list of side effects. Against this background, a disorder occurs in the functioning of nerve cells. The baby becomes sluggish and loses coordination of movements.

What to do if a negative reaction occurs in a child on artificial or mixed feeding? To eliminate it, it is enough to select a mixture that does not include cow's milk. That is why parents are advised to carefully study the composition of any product before purchasing it. Complementary foods should not be introduced early. Otherwise, an allergy will appear, which will negatively affect the development of the baby.

List of prohibited products

Parents need to know not only how long it takes for a child’s negative reaction to manifest itself. Additionally, foods high in protein should also be excluded from the mother's diet. In this group, milk and chocolate are particularly dangerous. Quite often, allergies occur due to the consumption of mushrooms and nuts by a nursing mother. A negative reaction is caused by certain types of fish, citrus fruits and red berries.

Preventing the development of allergies is simple - it is enough to follow the basic dietary requirements that a woman’s pediatrician puts forward. In this case, it will be possible to avoid negative consequences and deterioration in the baby’s general health.

During breastfeeding, a woman is allowed to eat the following foods:

natural fermented milk products with a low fat content;
cheese durum varieties;
Among porridges, your choice should be buckwheat, oatmeal and corn;
It is allowed to eat only light-colored fruits and vegetables;
fish with low fat content;
vegetable oil in small quantities;
chicken or turkey broths.

You can avoid allergies only if you exclude the following foods from your diet:

mushrooms;
all types of nuts;
whole milk products;
purchased sweets and honey;
exotic seafood and caviar;
bright fruits and vegetables;
all types of citrus fruits;
black coffee and tea;
hot spices, onions, garlic;
pickles and marinades;
recipes with a high content of dyes, preservatives and synthetic substances;
dishes instant cooking;
drinks with gas or alcohol.

You can avoid an allergic reaction in the first months of your baby’s life only if you eat exclusively stewed or boiled food. Fatty and fried foods should be excluded from the diet for this period. Mommy should drink enough liquid. If she has any questions, she should immediately contact her pediatrician.

Cow's milk should not be given to a child under one year of age.

Preventing food allergies

A hypoallergenic diet must be followed in the first month after the baby is born. New dishes are introduced gradually, starting from the third month. Allergies tend to be inherited. However, the negative product may vary depending on the individual characteristics of the baby’s body.

New foods are introduced into the diet only after the adaptation process is completed. You are allowed to try no more than one food product at a time. An allergic reaction in a baby can appear within two days. During this period, parents should be extremely attentive to the health of the baby.

When introducing a product into the diet, it should be tasted in small quantities. If there is a negative reaction, it should not be introduced into the diet for at least another month. After this period ends, the attempt can be repeated.

A woman should try to prolong the lactation period as much as possible. This product contains all the vitamins and minerals necessary for the baby. Thanks to milk, the immune system is properly formed, which is necessary in the fight against viruses and bacteria. The lactation product contains the optimal amount of vitamins and minerals. Milk is quickly and efficiently absorbed in the baby’s digestive system.

If the baby is on a mixed diet, then it is necessary to choose the right mixture. It must exactly correspond to the age and other needs of the baby’s body. If you have an allergy, you will need to change the product in the future.

It is best to introduce complementary foods starting at six months of age. At the first stage, mommy prepares vegetable puree. Zucchini or broccoli are ideal for this. Today, these vegetables are considered the safest for the baby’s digestive system. It is allowed to use cottage cheese and kefir during this period. Such dishes have many similarities with mother's milk. We should not forget that each child has his own individual characteristics. Mommy should carefully monitor the reaction of his body and, if necessary, change the specification of complementary foods.

Quite often, an allergy occurs in a baby if his mother feeds him porridge with milk. You can try this dish for the first time no earlier than three months. The first complementary foods must be prepared with water. If a negative reaction does not occur, then it is allowed to increase the portion. Cow's milk can be used from the age of six months. If you plan to cook semolina, then it should not contain gluten that is harmful to the body. Some experts, on the contrary, are convinced that animal milk can be used in dishes only from one year of age.

The family should lead an exclusively healthy lifestyle. It is recommended to spend more time outdoors and do gymnastics regularly. On the baby's body positive impact provides swimming and hardening. They strengthen the immune system and prevent the development of serious diseases.

During breastfeeding, a woman is advised to follow a special diet. She will have to prepare delicious and delicious food from limited products. healthy dishes. We recommend that you find out in advance the dietary requirements during this period. Only in this case will it be possible to avoid serious consequences in the future.

The first complementary foods should consist only of hypoallergenic products

U infant Allergies can occur not only to food. There are frequent cases of negative reactions to dust, cosmetics and medications. Parents must organize conditions for the baby in which there will be no place for allergens. It is recommended to remove flowers and animals from the apartment immediately after discharge from the maternity hospital. Soap and other household chemicals should only be used for children. Bed linen should not be made from natural materials (down and feather), because they often provoke an allergic reaction.

What is this - it seems that the food was of quite good quality, and fed the child according to science, but here it is - a rash, an upset stomach, incessant crying... Yes, yes, this is a food allergy in a baby.

Treatment here is required urgently, because intolerance to certain types of foods is far from harmless.

Now let's look at this in more detail.

The path of an allergy sufferer: it all starts from the cradle

Cheeks glowing with a diathesis rash, indigestion, reactions from the respiratory organs - this is how allergies to foods unwisely included by mothers in children's diets manifest themselves.

The reason for the violent reaction is a congenital predisposition caused by the carriage of antigens HLA-A1, B8, Dw-3. There are several factors that have a direct impact on the initiation of the sensitization process:

The nature of the allergen itself.
Excess of harmful substances coming from the mother during the prenatal period: this includes antibiotics, artificial dyes and preservatives, industrial emissions.
The age at which the body first became acquainted with dangerous substance: the smaller it is, the higher the likelihood of intolerance.
Dosage and frequency of receiving allergenic products. Low-allergenic products for nursing mothers.
The condition of the mucous membranes of the child’s gastrointestinal tract is pathological permeability of their membranes, weakening of local immunity.
Severe disturbances of intestinal microflora.

Even very minor manifestations of food allergies in infants create the preconditions for the development of severe allergic diseases in the future - this is the main danger of a seemingly harmless intolerance to certain foods!

TOP 5 most powerful allergens

Cow's milk proteins

Allergies are most often caused by animal proteins. Research has revealed a high intolerance to cow's milk proteins - it is found in 90 percent of allergic children. The most favorite children's drink contains about 20 antigens that can cause sensitization.

Main sources of problems:

casein,
serum,
lactose.

Egg white

Ovomucoid is the main allergenic component of egg white. It is difficult to digest and retains its antigenic properties in the intestines for a long time, supporting the smoldering “light” of an already developed allergy. That is why pediatricians advise giving babies only the yolk - it is less dangerous.

Fish

Antique folk sign does not order any fish dishes to be given to children under one year of age - they say the baby will be mute or will begin to speak very late. Of course, these are just prejudices - the development of speech has nothing to do with fish balls.

However, it is really better not to offer fish to small children - the protein M-paralbumin, which is part of its pulp, can cause severe signs of food allergies in infants. It is believed that 99 percent of allergic children cannot tolerate fish days at all.

Plant proteins

It would seem that what could be dangerous in a piece of wheat or rye bread crumb? However, pediatric nutritionists say that some vegetable proteins– gluten, gorden and avenin – can trigger an attack of food allergies.

You need to be careful with fruits and vegetables - their proteins also sometimes behave very unfriendly to the child’s body.

Nutritional supplements

IN baby food The boxes and jars are full of dyes and other chemical additives. Even if the baby is not allergic to meat, offal or vegetables, a jar of commercial complementary foods is quite capable of causing stomach upset and diarrhea due to the preservatives contained in the puree.

Manifestation and symptoms - favorite targets of food allergies in infants

Skin, gastrointestinal tract, respiratory organs and central nervous system- this is what infants suffer from food allergies most likely and most severely.

Skin: face and body

Food allergies in infants appear very clearly on the face. Visible on the skin:

Itchy, weeping rashes - they affect the cheeks, chin, forehead;
Slight swelling;
Redness.

The red border of the lips is often involved in the process - it becomes inflamed, cracks and itches.

In addition to a rash on the face, infants may also experience local irritation of areas prone to sweating of the skin folds:

on the limbs,
in the hip area,
in the perianal fold.

Stomach and intestines

Gastrointestinal form of food allergy in infants is what doctors call symptom complexes that develop as a response of the gastrointestinal tract to allergens received with food or drink.

It is difficult for a mother not to notice the problems that began in the baby after the food eaten the day before:

Intestinal with tension, bloating and a characteristic posture - legs tucked in;
within an hour after eating:
A piercing scream;
Diarrhea with glassy mucus.

Call a doctor immediately if you have repeated diarrhea (more than 5-6 times a day), and blood is visible in the stool and vomit! The child must be examined by a doctor: only he can figure out what is happening - an attack of food allergies or an attack. The diagnoses are different, so their treatment is different.

Allergies are most often caused by animal proteins.

Respiratory and hearing organs

The bronchi and nasopharynx can also suffer from an attack of food allergies in infants - the symptoms of their damage often resemble a cold:

rhinitis (runny nose) with secretion of clear mucus,
dry cough,
in severe cases - bronchospasms.

In this case, you can suspect food intolerance by the absence of temperature - it is absolutely normal for allergy sufferers, although respiratory symptoms reach significant intensity.

central nervous system

When the central nervous system is affected by allergens, attention is drawn to the baby's excessive excitability or some depression, lethargy, and fatigue.

The most dangerous forms of food allergies

Anaphylactic shock- a rare, but most dangerous form of allergic reaction to food. It develops instantly and is characterized by very sharp pain in the abdomen, rapid swelling of the larynx and mouth, followed by asphyxia in a matter of minutes, blood pressure drops and death occurs if the injection is not given in time.
Quincke's edema is also an immediate reaction and in some cases is almost as dangerous as anaphylaxis. With this form of allergy, within a few minutes, significant swelling of the subcutaneous tissue appears on the face, mouth and genitals. In most cases, Quincke's edema disappears on its own after a few hours, but a tragic ending is also possible.
If the swelling extends to the larynx, the child experiences difficulty breathing and swallowing. A barking cough begins, then the face turns red and pale, the pressure drops sharply and death from suffocation occurs.

If any of the above signs appear, immediately call an ambulance - only qualified assistance is needed here. You can't do it alone and you could lose precious time and your child.

To avoid missing the onset of a severe reaction, carefully monitor your baby’s condition after eating. To do this, you need to know how long it takes for food allergies to manifest in infants: its first symptoms are visible after just a few minutes - the body of a small child reacts so violently to allergens.

Gastrointestinal allergies in infants, what to do, how to cure: Enterosgel

So, what happened: the baby developed allergy symptoms after eating. Here is the algorithm for the very first actions of the mother or other relatives near the child:

Do a cleansing enema.
In case of severe diarrhea, give your baby a teaspoon of plain boiled water more often.
Give one of the sorbents to drink, the use of which is possible in children's practice.

The enema is done with lukewarm water until the rinsing water is completely clear. Pediatricians recommend it as a good sorbent - for food allergies in infants, it shows the best results, quickly binding and removing from the body substances that cause food intolerance. To do this, dissolve half a teaspoon of the product in boiled water or breast milk (proportion – one to three) and give the baby up to six times a day, depending on the severity of symptoms.

Attention: the drug is given no earlier than an hour and a half after feeding or the same time before meals.

To treat allergies in infants, antihistamines are recommended - for example, in a dose of 5 drops once to relieve skin itching and swelling. However, it is better not to risk it yourself if your baby has had an allergy attack for the first time. Call an ambulance so that specialists can confirm the allergic nature of the rash and give the child the necessary medicine.

How long will it take for a baby's food allergy to go away? There is one rule: the milder the symptoms and the faster measures are taken, the sooner the child will return to his normal state. Mostly, unpleasant sensations, gastric and skin manifestations disappear within a week.

The main thing is not to aggravate the situation by continuing to give the baby food that has already caused him intolerance once. And one more thing: the fact that visible signs of allergies have disappeared does not mean complete recovery. Restoring the body after an allergen attack takes several months.

Severe allergies with swelling of the face and larynx take a long time to be treated, only in a hospital and go away in about a month, provided that the allergen is accurately identified and from children's diet All products containing it will be completely excluded.

Treatment

If a mother notices that the baby does not tolerate certain foods well, the first thing she needs to do after providing emergency assistance and calling an ambulance is to show the child to the local pediatrician and specialized specialists - an allergist and an infectious disease specialist.

They will determine the causes of the illness, and, if necessary, refer you to a hospital or advise how to treat food allergies in infants at home.

The duration of the course is at least one and a half to two years: this is the period when food allergies in infants go away completely. Then the baby can be switched to regular food.

How to calculate a provoking product? Here are the simple rules:

Do not introduce more than one new product at a time - this way you will certainly be able to quickly understand what exactly the child cannot tolerate.
Monitor his condition for at least an hour after eating: usually this time is enough for the onset of an allergic attack.

Home treatment: how long does it take for allergies to go away, debriefing

You called an ambulance or got by with simple home measures - an enema and then showed the baby to a doctor who made an accurate diagnosis - a food allergy in the baby. How can I cure it completely so that the attacks never happen again?
We would like to warn you against common mistakes.

Some mothers, having received a doctor’s recommendation to use one or another drug, discontinue it on their own ahead of schedule, when the baby felt better and all obvious signs of allergies disappeared.
Treatment must be completed to fully cope with the unusual reaction of the body. You will have to take into account that it can last up to a year, so be patient!
Another mistake: on the advice of friends or from materials on the Internet, they try to fight diathesis rash on their own by applying hormonal ointments.
Ointments and all medications in general are prescribed exclusively by a doctor - you cannot buy them yourself, cancel them ahead of time, or increase or decrease the prescribed dose.
Mistake three - unjustified hope for folk remedies and panic fear drug treatment. You need to understand that allergies are a very complex process that involves not only the skin and internal organs.
Allergies are a powerful blow to the immune system. To bring it back to normal, special measures are required. Folk remedies are ineffective here, and diet alone is not enough. Do not refuse hospitalization if it is offered!

In conclusion

Do everything to avoid new attacks:

Carefully study the labels on baby formulas and jars of food: they may contain allergenic components.
Do not give your baby forbidden food, no matter how capricious he may be when asking for a treat.
Try to feed an allergic child only yourself: other relatives or the nanny can sometimes be incredibly careless.
If you do place your baby in temporary care when you go to work or are forced to leave, convincingly and in detail instruct those who will look after the baby what they definitely should not give him.
Be sure to make a list of prohibited foods and place it in a visible place.
When the baby has already begun to crawl and walk, hide any food so that he does not accidentally eat too much or harmful food.

Additional information about preventive measures for childhood food allergies in this video:

Food allergies are a serious and dangerous condition: always be on guard!

Often, uncharacteristic rashes, skin irritations, etc. appear on the face or body of a newborn baby. And very often, allergies are to blame. Young children, whose immune systems are still imperfect, are especially susceptible to such reactions.

In this regard, allergies in newborn infants can be especially severe and have a lot of negative consequences. Therefore, it is so important for parents to identify the problem in time and begin its treatment.

What is an allergy

An allergy is the body’s protective reaction to any irritants (cosmetics, food, dust, etc.), as a result of which immunoglobulin E begins to be produced. By combining with an allergen, this protein causes the appearance of various allergic reactions, which can manifest as a rash, indigestion and other unpleasant symptoms.

Irritation can appear not only on the face, but also on the scalp and other places. Outwardly, it may look like a small rash, red and scaly areas on the skin that appear immediately after eating or occur after a certain time after contact with an allergen substance. In this case, the baby may experience itching, his skin becomes dry and tight, and the baby himself becomes restless.

Why do babies develop allergies?

An allergy on the face of a newborn, the photo of which you see, may be food or non-food in nature. Moreover, the hereditary factor plays an important role in its appearance. And if someone in the family suffers from a chronic runny nose, bronchial asthma or other allergic manifestations, it is not surprising if the baby’s cheeks turn red one day.

In addition, the appearance of an allergic reaction is influenced by the state of the newborn’s immune system and the time when breastfeeding was started.

Food allergies

Very often, the protein contained in breast milk or ready-made formulas becomes an allergen for infants. The reaction to it is manifested by skin rashes, pain in the abdomen, nasal congestion, spasm of the respiratory tract, abnormal bowel movements and frequent regurgitation. In such cases, the reason becomes:

The diet of a nursing mother, which contains allergenic foods (what can you eat while breastfeeding your baby? Read the article: Nutrition while breastfeeding >>>);
Infant formulas that contain protein, grains or lactulose. Before giving your baby a new formula, do an allergen test;
Incorrect diet of the mother during pregnancy. Also, food allergies in newborns can be a consequence of the mother’s smoking or certain diseases she suffered while expecting the baby.

Contact allergy

The body of a small child may react negatively to contact with household chemicals, cosmetics, plant pollen or animal hair. Among the main causes of contact allergies are:

Dust, household mites or bedbugs;
Some indoor plants;
Pets, even if they lack fur or feathers;
Household chemicals (products that mom uses to wash dishes, washing powder, etc.);
Cosmetics, including those used by parents of infants.

Other causes of allergies

Allergies in a newborn while breastfeeding can also occur due to:

Hereditary predisposition;
Vaccines that may contain substances that can cause such a reaction;
Late start of breastfeeding. This is due to the fact that dysbacteriosis serves as a provoking factor for the occurrence of allergic reactions. The intestines of a newborn are sterile, and they are colonized by beneficial microorganisms during feeding. In children who receive artificial formula instead of mother's milk, this process may be disrupted;

Know! Approximately 75% of children are very sensitive to the protein contained in cow's milk, therefore, they may also have a negative reaction to the formula.

Taking medications, in particular antibiotics. Many babies suffer from colic in the first months of life, so mothers, trying to help them, give their babies various medications (find out what you can and shouldn’t give to babies in the article Medicine for colic in newborns >>>). But it turns out that it is even possible for newborns to be allergic to dill water.

Colic is a major concern for a baby. He cries for hours, his stomach is hard, his face is red from the constant stress of crying. Pharmacy products help little in the fight against colic.

The best and safest “treatment” for a baby with abdominal pain is maternal care. How to safely help a child without using medicines, see the online course Soft Tummy >>>

How to recognize allergies

To recognize allergies and begin to treat them in time, you need to know how allergies manifest themselves in newborns. Its main features include:

Skin damage. This can be various rashes, dryness, peeling, swelling. They usually appear in the face, neck, buttocks, groin and popliteal folds. In this case, the degree of severity can be very different: from slight dryness of the skin to the appearance of weeping wounds;
Indigestion. Children with allergies may experience excessive regurgitation, colic, constipation or, conversely, diarrhea after feeding. As a rule, this is how food allergies manifest themselves;
Respiratory manifestations are the result of a reaction to an allergen that is in the air (dust, animal hair, pollen). At the same time, the baby's larynx and nasopharynx swell, it is difficult for him to breathe through his nose, lacrimation and coughing occur. Very often, mothers confuse such symptoms with a common cold, but in case of allergies, the newborn’s body temperature will not increase;
Anxiety. A newborn baby cannot yet complain to you that something is bothering him. But, you may notice that he began to sleep poorly, is constantly capricious and shows restlessness.

What does an allergy look like in a newborn baby?

First of all, the cheeks become red, the skin on the chin or forehead begins to peel. This can be observed as an independent symptom or occur against the background of gastrointestinal dysfunction. In such cases, it is important to identify the factor that provoked the allergic reaction and eliminate it. Usually, this is enough to relieve the baby from unpleasant sensations.

Attention! Antihistamines should be used only in the most difficult cases.

Another important point should be noted here - a rash in a child can occur not only as a result of allergies. Miliaria or normal flowering in a baby can manifest itself in the same way.

How to distinguish allergies from flowering in newborns? During flowering, the baby's skin turns bright red. The pimples that appear may have watery fluid inside. This occurs due to improper functioning of the sebaceous glands. All manifestations of flowering are described in the article posted on our website: Flowering in a newborn >>>;
Miliaria appears in places where the baby’s body comes into contact with clothing or in the area of folds in the skin. In this case, pimples are small in size and do not contain liquid inside. Read more about this phenomenon in the article Heat rash in a newborn >>>.

A rash, in the case of an allergy, can appear absolutely anywhere, and in those places where it comes into contact with clothing, even suppuration is possible. Such pimples are very itchy, which causes discomfort to the baby.

If it’s difficult for you to figure it out on your own, then watch a seminar on nutrition for a nursing mother, where we step by step analyze various rashes on the baby’s skin. You can correctly determine the cause of the rash and quickly eliminate your baby’s anxiety. The course is available at the link: Nutrition for a nursing mother without harm to the baby >>>

What should mom do?

Faced with such a problem, any mother will ask the question: “What to do if a newborn has allergies”? It is important to know that treatment must be comprehensive and include several factors at once.

Eliminating the allergen

This part of the therapy is called the most difficult, and here you will have to try hard. Where to look for what triggered the baby’s allergic reaction? First of all, check:

Baby food. In most cases, infants suffer from food allergies, regardless of what feeding they are on;

If a breastfed baby has an allergy, the mother should completely reconsider her diet;
For an artificial baby, you need to pay attention to the composition of the formula that he eats. If it contains components of cow's milk, lactulose or soy, then most likely the reason lies precisely in them. Try giving your baby a different mixture that does not contain these components.

Mom's nutrition;

If you suspect that your baby cannot digest lactose, avoid whole milk;
If an allergic reaction to gluten occurs, the mother should not eat pasta, semolina or wheat porridge, oatmeal, or baked goods;
In addition, if a newborn has an allergy on the face, you should avoid fish, eggs, honey, cocoa, brightly colored vegetables and fruits;
At the same time, a nursing mother is allowed to eat low-fat broths and dietary meat.

Early complementary feeding. For children who are susceptible to allergic reactions, you can start introducing complementary foods no earlier than 7 months. At the same time, you can start doing this with hypoallergenic vegetables and gluten-free cereals;
Overfeeding the baby. In artificial dieters, who are more prone to overeating, allergies are observed much more often, since the mixture is higher in calories and takes a long time to process, loading the digestive tract;
Compliance with drinking regime. If the baby develops a deficiency of fluid in the body, then any toxins that enter the body will not be able to be excreted along with the urine and will begin to poison it. Therefore, it is important to breastfeed your baby correctly, following all the rules of breastfeeding. I explain in detail how to do this in the course Secrets of Breastfeeding >>>;
Water. Surely, you were told back in the maternity hospital that you can only bathe your baby in boiled water. This is due to the fact that untreated tap water can cause contact dermatitis. Read the article: What kind of water should I bathe a newborn baby in?>>>;
Toys. It is important to buy your child only high-quality toys that have all the necessary certificates confirming their safety;
Hygiene products. You can bathe your newborn with soap or use other hygiene products no more than once a week. Moreover, all of them must be certified;
Household chemicals. You cannot wash children's clothes with adult powder. There are special baby detergents for this;
Cloth. When choosing a wardrobe for your baby, it is important to give preference to clothes made from natural fabrics for which bright dyes have not been used. This is especially true for those things that have direct contact with children's skin.

Timely bowel movements

It is very important to monitor your newborn's stool. If you notice your baby's tendency toward constipation, you should definitely start analyzing your breastfeeding process. It is possible that the child receives little nutrition, or that some product in your diet has such a strengthening effect on the baby;

The same applies to the mother, since if bowel movements are untimely, toxins can pass into breast milk.

Creating comfortable conditions

Comfortable conditions must be created in the room where the newborn is located (air temperature within 18-20 degrees and humidity 50-70%). If the room is hot, the baby begins to sweat actively. This releases substances that can irritate delicate baby skin;
Also the room should be clean. To prevent dust from leading to an allergic reaction, it is important to carry out wet cleaning daily and remove various carpets and curtains that can collect dust.

Use of medications

In most cases, it is enough to eliminate the factors that provoke allergies in order to rid the baby of its manifestations. The use of medications is usually relegated to the background. This is due to the fact that they can only eliminate the main symptoms, without getting rid of the main cause. In addition, a child may also be allergic to the medications themselves.

Knowing how allergies manifest in infants, the pediatrician may recommend using the following medications:

Sorbents are drugs that are absolutely safe for the child’s body. Their main function is to cleanse the baby’s body of toxins and eliminate constipation;
Antihistamines are necessary for the symptomatic treatment of the main manifestations of the disease. For children, only those drugs that do not have a sedative effect are suitable;
Allergy cream for newborns is used for topical treatment. Usually, non-hormonal drugs are prescribed that have wound-healing, anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial effects, eliminate itching and relieve swelling;
If no other drugs have given the desired effect, the baby may be prescribed hormonal ointments. They give a quick effect, but can only be used as prescribed by the attending physician.

Prevention

To avoid the development of allergies in a baby, it is important to start taking preventive measures from the first days of his life. To do this you need:

For some time, carefully monitor your diet while breastfeeding;
Starting from the second month, it is allowed to introduce new products into the mother’s diet, but in small portions, with constant monitoring of the baby’s condition;
It is important for a nursing mother, at any stage of feeding, to avoid eating foods that can cause an allergic reaction;
Maintain breastfeeding for as long as possible;
Carry out wet cleaning in the apartment every day, minimize the baby’s contact with animals and flowering plants;
Do not take any medications unless absolutely necessary.