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How to treat allergies in children. Food allergy in a child: manifestations and consequences

Allergies are the body's response to various external irritants. Thus, the immune system wants to protect it from exposure. Allergies in children are very common, since the immune system is not yet able to work at full strength, and reacts to even the most harmless substances. Allergic reactions can be instantaneous and short-term, which do not cause complications. But, most often, allergies in children require a long treatment process. It is important for parents to recognize the first symptoms of the disease early.

Causes of allergies in children

The reasons why allergies appear in children can be completely varied. Often, the disease in children occurs against the background of a genetic predisposition. This means that one of the blood relatives suffered from some kind of allergy. Also, a baby can get the disease from an early age due to the mother’s use of antibiotics during pregnancy. The environmental situation in the region where the family lives plays a big role.

An allergic reaction can occur in children born prematurely. Such babies, as a rule, have low body weight and an undeveloped immune system. It is worth noting that in the presence of congenital abnormalities or autoimmune diseases in children, the risk of developing allergies increases. Children who have impaired liver function often face this problem. After all, this organ serves as a kind of filter that cleanses the blood of toxins and allergens.

The main reasons why an allergic reaction occurs in a child are as follows:

Plant pollen;
Household dust;
Food;
Pets;
Ultraviolet;
Insects;
Medications.

Allergies to plant pollen in children mainly develop at an older age, after 5 years. It appears almost immediately after contact of the mucous membranes with the allergen. Hay fever refers to seasonal allergies. It begins with the first flowering of trees - in mid-March. It is known that the flowering period lasts until the end of September. Therefore, symptoms may appear over a long period of time. Isolating the baby from the source of the problem is not enough; comprehensive treatment is necessary.

Food allergies are considered a common occurrence in young children and infants. Especially during the period of complementary feeding and the introduction of new products. For the child’s body they are new and therefore foreign. Among the products that cause allergies in infants are milk and artificial formulas. The thing is that cow's milk, which is the basis of most mixtures, contains pathogenic proteins and lactose. This is what causes the disease. It is important to keep your baby breastfed for as long as possible. Mom should follow a strict diet.

It is better to introduce hypoallergenic formulas made from goat's milk into the child's diet. At older ages, allergies are caused by citrus fruits, sweets, chocolate, red and orange fruits and vegetables, seafood, potatoes, and chicken eggs. This usually happens in the first years of life. Over time, after three years, the immune system improves its functioning, the intestinal walls become stronger, and food allergies go away on their own. If this does not happen, a complete cessation of consuming the allergen and treatment is required.

Some infants suffer from exposure to house dust on their mucous membranes. It is very important to carry out daily wet cleaning of the house. The room where the child is located must always be clean. To prevent the development of dust allergies, you must follow the following rules:

Change your baby's bedding regularly;
Bedding and clothes must be ironed;
Install an air purifier and humidifier in the child’s room;
In the summer, it is less common to open windows for ventilation;
Monitor the cleanliness of interior items and books;
Remove carpeting from the room.

Signs of allergies in children can occur as a reaction to a pet. It is generally accepted that it is the animal’s fur that becomes the culprit, and they try in every possible way to get rid of it. But that's not true. The fact is that the pet’s body produces a protein that is an irritant for the human body in weakened immunity. And even more so for a child. This component is excreted along with the animal’s urine and saliva. When grooming itself, the pet spreads it over the surface of its body and fur. Next, the allergen settles on furniture, dishes, and clothing. And hairless cat breeds will not protect children and adults from the problem.

Often the disease manifests itself when the child takes certain medications. These include antibiotics, hormonal agents, drugs to maintain heart function, and to normalize blood sugar. Many routine injections cause an allergic reaction. It is worth noting that such manifestations are considered normal if they persist for a couple of days. If the symptoms do not leave the baby for longer, you should consult a doctor.

Allergy symptoms in children

The onset of symptoms may begin immediately or after a short incubation period. It all depends on the specific allergen and the body of each child. Symptoms arise from the digestive system, skin, and respiratory system. So, any allergy in a child manifests itself as follows:

Skin rashes;
Urticaria, eczema;
Dermatitis;
Diathesis;
Itching of the skin;
Burning and pain.

Red and pink spots first appear on the baby's back. Then they spread to the scalp, limbs, and face. This reaction always occurs with allergies to food, pollen, or animals. From the respiratory system, allergic rhinitis with copious discharge of clear sputum, conjunctivitis, lacrimation, and dry cough are observed. Such signs are characteristic of hay fever. Often the symptoms are equated with a cold, and the wrong treatment is started. It is worth noting that allergies and increased body temperature are very rare, which cannot be said about colds.

If you are allergic to foods, your child suffers from colic and tummy pain. At the same time, his appetite worsens, and at each feeding the baby burps frequently and profusely. Parents observe irregular bowel movements in their baby. As a rule, it is liquid. Often a child suffers from constipation. In this case, the body temperature will increase. A characteristic difference between this allergy and poisoning is a rash in the form of hives.

Very dangerous symptoms, especially for a small child, are anaphylactic shock and Quincke's edema. In the first case, there is an instant aggravation of all symptoms, which leads to loss of consciousness. In case of inaction of parents and loved ones, the serious condition turns into a coma. Quincke's edema is dangerous because the baby's mucous membranes rapidly swell. In a matter of minutes, organs and body parts increase in size:

Limbs;
Groin area;
Eyes;
Lips;
Oral cavity;
Internal organs.

The danger is that when the oral cavity (throat, tongue, palate, larynx) becomes swollen, the access of oxygen to the lungs is blocked, and the baby risks dying from asphyxia. In this case, immediate first aid is required, which consists of administering an injection of an antihistamine. In general, the child’s body weakens significantly, children suffer from insomnia, and anxiety increases.

Treatment

Any treatment first requires a specific diagnosis. If the diagnosis reveals that the reaction is caused by an allergy, treatment with antihistamines is required. But today there are modern methods of therapy. These include ASIT therapy. In this case, the child must stay in a hospital clinic. The therapy consists of regularly introducing a small dose of the allergen into the blood. Thus, the body gets used to the pathogenic component, begins to independently produce antibodies, and fight it. This method is very effective. Recurrence of allergies is excluded. But for such treatment the child must be at least three years old.

A prerequisite for any therapy is the complete exclusion of the allergen from the child’s environment. Antihistamines are selected by the doctor for each child individually. There are three generations of them. The latter has a minimum number of contraindications and adverse reactions. But many of them have a strong effect, so they are not always suitable for treating a child’s allergies.

Thus, the following means are allowed to protect a child from allergies:

Intal;
Ketotifen;
Zyrtec;
Kropoz;
Zaditen.

In the acute period of allergic manifestations in children, Suprastin, Fenkarol, Tavegil, Pipolfen, Erius, Fenistil are considered the most effective. These drugs are aimed at eliminating any manifestations of the disease by blocking the release of histamine from cells. They have antipruritic, anti-inflammatory, antibacterial properties. Some may have a sedative effect, causing the child to become overly sleepy and tired.

To eliminate skin manifestations of allergies in a child, it is necessary to use topical agents. Creams and ointments quickly relieve itching and burning of the skin, which leads to the healing of wounds and ulcers. There are ointments on a hormonal and non-hormonal basis. The former are used extremely rarely to treat children. They can have an impact on the body as a whole and affect the baby’s hormonal levels. But they are distinguished by high performance. Prescribed when other drugs do not bring the desired result.

Hormone-free antihistamine ointments are safe for children of any age, even infants. They have a cooling effect, which eliminates burning and relieves swelling of the skin. It has been established that they can be used for a long period of time. This fact is very important, since dermatitis and eczema require long-term treatment. These include:

Fenistil gel;
Bepanten;
Skin cap;
Elidel;
Wundehill;
Gistan;
Desitin;
La-cree.

To ease your baby's breathing, you need to resort to nasal drops and sprays. Such products clear the nasal cavity of mucus in a matter of minutes. Helps protect the nasal mucosa from repeated exposure to the allergen. It also relieves swelling and inflammation. For children, nasal rinses are most suitable. They are made on the basis of sea water and salt, which is absolutely harmless to the small organism. Among these are the following: Dolphin, Physiomer, Marimer, Aqualor, Aquamaris.

Preventive measures

Allergies in children require compliance with certain prevention rules. So, the baby must follow a certain hypoallergenic diet. The baby should be fed only hypoallergenic formulas. In adulthood, a child should avoid eating smoked meats, sausages, chocolate, sweets, citrus fruits, dairy products, fatty meats, and seafood. The child's diet should be rich in a variety of cereals with a viscous structure and vegetable broths. You can eat dietary meat in a poisonous form. It is useful to steam any food. Regular consumption of vegetables is required.

In case of food allergies, parents are required to keep a food diary. Such a diary records all the foods that the child ate during the day, the time of meals, the amount of food eaten, possible reactions of the body, and the suspected allergen. This will help to quickly determine the causes of the disease and begin treatment in a timely manner. It is also important for the baby to eat small meals.

During the flowering period of plants, you need to walk with your baby in the evening, away from the source of allergens. Windy weather contributes to the spread of pollen over long distances, which is also not a favorable condition. It will be useful to take walks after the rain. The room also needs to be ventilated during this period. When you come home from the street, thoroughly rinse your child’s nose, ears and eyes, wash him, and change him into clean home clothes. Often, specialists prescribe a course of vitamin therapy, which restores the protective functions of the child’s body.

If there is a pet in the house, all its accessories (dishes, toilet, comb) should be in a separate room where the child has no access. Under no circumstances should a pet enter a child's space. Regular water treatments are necessary for your pet. If all allergy symptoms persist, it is better to leave your pet in good hands.

Video about childhood allergies

Today, every third child suffers from one type of allergy or another. Food allergies can occur in a child as early as 1 year old, or even earlier. Thanks to various techniques and the right diet, it is possible to partially or completely eliminate the symptom complexes characteristic of an allergic reaction.

Description

A food allergy is a response of the immune system to a particular food. The body produces specific antibodies to proteins that are part of certain foods. With food allergies, a small body can give a different reaction: some babies experience indigestion or skin rashes, others experience anaphylactic shock.

Its main types include:

true, developing as an independent response of the body;
cross, progressing against the background of existing allergies to other products.

A food allergic reaction in children occurs due to the immaturity of the immune system and a high degree of permeability of the intestinal walls. Often the “provocateurs” are:

Excessive consumption of such products can cause complications of food allergies. In most cases, the “aggressive” substance is gluten in the grains of cereals such as barley, oats, and wheat. When introducing new foods to your child's diet, avoid:

bouillon cubes;
cakes;
strawberries;
cocoa;
tomatoes.

It is necessary to be especially careful about the amount of consumption of carrots, cranberries, beets, and citrus fruits. During this time, it is better to replace these products with zucchini, cabbage, turkey or lamb.

Causes

Food allergies are associated with the peculiarities of the functioning of the digestive system of young children. When enzyme activity is reduced, there is no full intestinal protection. As a result, allergens freely penetrate into the blood plasma and cause certain symptoms.

Often the cause of severe food allergies in one-year-old children is: cow's milk, chicken eggs, nuts, fish. Other factors also provoke it:

Important! When there is a food allergy to a specific product, young children often experience hypersensitivity to other “irritants”: pollen, cosmetics, pet hair, etc.

Symptoms

Food allergies can manifest as visible symptoms on the skin. In response to errors in a nursing mother’s diet or the introduction of complementary foods, the following may appear on the baby’s body:

itchy rash;
dryness and;
redness around the mouth;
the appearance of diaper rash and seborrheic crust.

The most common conditions are urticaria and atopic dermatitis. In young patients, pink spots of various sizes and other rashes may appear on the body. Due to the fact that these areas constantly itch, the child feels uncomfortable.

Common symptoms of food allergies include:

body temperature up to 39°C;
irritation throughout the body, accompanied by itching;
swelling of the mucous membrane and swelling;
rhinitis, which can be mistakenly confused with signs of a cold.

As a result of such reactions, the baby risks getting:

delayed physical and psychomotor development;
rickets;
anemia;
gastrointestinal disorders.

During this period, the baby's appetite may worsen. From the gastrointestinal tract he often has:

increased gas formation;
constipation or diarrhea;
colic;
nausea and vomiting.

The baby becomes restless and capricious.

Symptoms can manifest themselves in a complex way: in children, not only does the digestive system malfunction, but also itchy skin and rashes on the body. The intensity of the “allergic picture” will depend on how soon you stopped the child’s contact with the allergen.

During a food allergy, complications may occur that depend on the location of the process. The most severe cases include:

bronchospasms;
bleeding;
swelling of the mucous membrane and larynx;
asthma;
anaphylactic shock.

Any allergic manifestation can reduce immunity. Food allergies become a “green light” for various types of infections and viruses in the body.

Important! At the first sign, you should start treating allergies. Your goal is to relieve its symptoms so that it does not turn into bronchial asthma or atopic dermatitis.

Diagnostics

To establish an accurate diagnosis, you need to consult an allergist. Based on the clinical picture, medical history and test results, he will prescribe a specific course of treatment. It is quite difficult to independently determine the nature of the rash on a baby’s body. Symptoms of food allergies are similar to those of other diseases (dermatitis, measles, chickenpox, rubella, as well as some fungal and infectious diseases).

It is necessary to search for an allergen in a child’s blood using the method of exclusion. For this purpose, a special diet is prescribed, and familiar foods are introduced into the baby’s diet one by one.

You will also be able to undergo comprehensive diagnostics, which includes:

Ultrasound of internal organs;
laboratory tests - skin prick tests.

In the case of tests, you get the fastest possible result to determine abnormal reactions to a specific type of allergen. The doctor makes a small cut or small scratches on the skin, drips a substance with antibodies onto them and evaluates the result within 20 minutes.

Some resort to prick tests. Then the allergen is injected into the skin with a thin needle. If a reaction is present, there will be immediate swelling and redness of the area where the needle was inserted.

When a child experiences an acute period of an allergic disease, doctors recommend blood tests to detect antibodies.

Diagnostics is necessary in order to:

determine the possibility of cross-reactions;
find out about the “capabilities” of the immune system to resist allergens;
exclude the presence of chronic and acute diseases;
make sure that the child does not have helminthic infestations that can worsen the allergy.

Treatment

The main principle of treating food allergies is step-by-step therapy and an integrated approach. Treatment is aimed at eliminating symptoms and preventing exacerbations. Due to the fact that food allergies become a “trigger” in the development of hypersensitivity to other allergens in older age, it is important to undergo treatment.

Parents can do the following for their baby:

exclude food irritants from the menu;
strictly take medications as prescribed by your doctor;
increase the baby’s immunity by adjusting the daily routine and proper diet.

For “artificial” ones, it is better to take mixtures based on hydrolysates, milk and whey proteins. As a therapeutic food, it is necessary to use highly hydrolyzed mixtures, since they completely or partially lack the dangerous allergen protein.

Along with the diet, the following medications will be effective:

antihistamines;
homeopathic.

The most natural and fresh products are the key to the proper development and strengthening of the baby’s immunity.

Antihistamines

When a baby comes into contact with an allergen, the body begins to produce antibodies, one of which is histamine. Antiallergic antihistamines are designed to completely neutralize or block its release. They are available in the form:

drops;
tablets;
suspensions;
syrups with dispensers.

There are 3 generations of antihistamines. The latter includes effective tablets for eliminating allergy symptoms. "Cetirizine", "Loratadine" can be taken by children from one year old.

The main feature of 3rd generation drugs is the possibility of using them for prolonged allergic reactions.

Before the age of one year, it is easiest to use the drop form of drugs, for example, Zyrtec and Advantan drops. Elidel, Erius or Fenistil Gel cream will help improve your baby’s well-being and eliminate skin rashes.

Homeopathy

Homeopathic remedies aim to eliminate the symptoms of an allergic reaction while maintaining immunity. The choice of medication will depend on the nature of the rash:

Allergic skin rashes on the body in the form of bubbles, blisters, spots. In this case, the homeopathic remedy “Sulfur” is used, the main component of which is sulfur. It helps the immune system produce antigens to allergens.
Eczematous rashes, redness, appearance of red bumps on the skin. The drug "Belladonna" is prescribed at the first symptoms of an allergy. It also helps to reduce hyperemia of the mucous membrane of the eyes during a conjunctival allergic reaction.
Eczema, urticaria, blistering rashes. The Rus product with a low dilution rate, for example, Rus 3, will be effective.
Weeping eczema, dermatosis. Antimonium crudum will alleviate the patient’s condition with a rash that has already crusted over.
Eczema and dermatitis. The drug "Borax" has excellent antiseptic and disinfectant properties.

Popular homeopathic remedies “Hamomilla”, “Viburkol” are prescribed for various rashes, blistering and symptoms of suffocation. Despite the high environmental friendliness of homeopathic medicines, they must be used strictly according to the recommendations of homeopathic doctors.

Prevention

In the prevention of food allergies, it is important to adhere to proper nutrition:

the optimal period for introducing complementary foods to breastfed children will be the age of 6 months, for artificial infants - 4-5 months;
gradually introduce your child to new foods in small doses;
exclude foods containing dyes and flavors;
Give your baby breast milk for as long as possible.

Some parents want to pamper their one-year-old baby with a piece of chocolate, exotic fruits, and juicy berries. There is no need to fanatically invite your child to try a new “menu”.

Diet

To eliminate the symptoms of food allergies, it is important to carry out proper dietary therapy. For children, it will take up to 10 days, after which you can carefully return to your usual diet. After conducting the necessary tests, the doctor excludes the following foods:

with high sensitive activity (fruits and berries of red and orange color, fish, honey, sugar, jam);
cross-reacting (citrus fruits, legumes, kefir, wheat gluten);
irritating the gastrointestinal mucosa;
with food colorings, emulsifiers or stabilizers.

Depending on the age of your baby, include the following hypoallergenic foods in her diet:

mixtures with milk protein hydrolyzate, if you have given up breastfeeding (used from birth);
mixtures (base - soy protein isolate) from six months of age;
porridge cooked in water;
berry, fruit, vegetable puree;
multi-component meat complementary food from turkey, lamb (from 10 months).

There is also a strict diet for a nursing mother:

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

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

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

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

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

Main causes of childhood allergies

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

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

- heredity- the most common cause of allergies, as is known, a predisposition to allergies can be transmitted from parents, if the mother suffers from allergies, this means that 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 preconditions for the development of allergies, infectious diseases in childhood are especially dangerous;

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

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

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

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

Main allergens: where is the danger hidden?

As you know, allergens that can provoke allergic reactions can be hidden anywhere: in an apartment, on the street, in food, clothing 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 respiratory diseases. Research by scientists has shown that approximately 50% of allergy sufferers have a reaction to household allergens.

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

Epidermal allergens: dander and animal hair, bird feathers, fish scales. The most common are allergies to cats and dogs. This type of allergy usually presents with respiratory symptoms.

Any drug can cause allergies, but the most allergenic are vitamins, antibiotics, local anesthetics, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, and blood pressure medications. Drug allergies can manifest as 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 and clothes. Symptoms of pollen allergies are seasonal, because each time of year corresponds to the flowering of one or another type of plant. 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, and diseases of the respiratory system.

Ekaterina Rakitina

Dr. Dietrich Bonhoeffer Klinikum, Germany

Reading time: 5 minutes

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Article last updated: 05/08/2019

Many young mothers very often encounter manifestations of allergic reactions in children under one year old. For some children, this phenomenon goes away very quickly, while for others, the fight against allergies lasts several years. Usually it all starts with a slight redness on the cheeks, and parents begin to worry about the child’s diathesis. Indeed, the breast period is the most important in the treatment of this disease. But first you need to understand the symptoms and methods of treating allergies in infants.

Allergy symptoms in babies

Allergy is an autoimmune disease that affects almost a third of the world. An allergen is a substance that provokes allergic reactions. The most common allergens are animal hair, mold, various foods, dust, pollen, and household chemicals. The likelihood of an allergic reaction to something increases in cases where other family members are susceptible to this disease, since sensitivity to allergens is determined by genetics.

Often the first signs of the disease appear in children under one year old; the thing is that the hormones that the baby received in the mother’s womb leave the body over time. Now the child needs to develop them independently.

The first rashes that begin to bother the baby’s mother appear closer to a month and disappear by two to three months. This rash is often referred to by some experts as a “bloom” or “three-week rash.” However, the true disease does not consist solely of small rashes.

Common symptoms of an allergic reaction in children include the following:

nausea, vomiting;
temperature increase;
gastrointestinal disorder;
Possibly a greenish color to the baby's stool.

Local allergy symptoms include:

redness on the skin;
peeling of the skin;
skin rashes;

At first, allergies in children under one year of age manifest themselves in the form of a so-called diathesis, then it can transform into a more serious disease - atopic dermatitis. Therefore, if parents notice symptoms of the disease, its treatment must be taken seriously.

What are antihistamines?

Histamine is a substance that is produced in the body of any person after an injury or any irritation to block harmful agents. But there are times when a malfunction occurs in the body, and it mistakes any minor reaction for a strong irritant. And it is precisely because of this failure of the immune system that the disease manifests itself.

Therefore, in order to combat the manifestations of allergies, it is necessary to find the cause of the suddenly activated histamines, and to suppress them, take appropriate medications.

The most modern antihistamine that can be given to a baby from a month of age is Fenistil. It belongs to the latest generation of drugs, so it is easily absorbed by the baby’s body; it begins to act literally 20 minutes after taking it. For infants, it is better to drop the medicine into a bottle with a drink or formula. This medicine may cause dry mouth or nausea in children.

Most other antihistamines, especially the third generation (Suprastin, Diphenhydramine, Diazolin, etc.) have a rather strong effect on the body, so their use against allergies is contraindicated in infants. Often after taking these medications, insomnia, lethargy, and gastrointestinal disorders are observed. Children can take these medications only in exceptional situations, in case of acute allergic reactions.

What medications can be given to a baby up to one year old?

Parents, when choosing anti-allergenic drugs, should look at the form in which the drug is produced. It is better to immediately abandon medications in syrups, since they often contain dyes and flavors, which in case of allergies can only cause more harm. Medicines in the form of tablets are accepted much better by the child's body, although giving such medicines to a child will be problematic. The most ideal option would be drops; they are most effective in treating this disease.

The main thing is that parents of children under one year old need to ensure that all preparations contain natural substances that absorb the allergen in the body.

When the baby turns six months old, he can be given the following remedies:

Zyrtec;
Zodak;
Cetrin.

Sorbents will also help against allergies:

Activated carbon;
Enterosgel;
Polyphepan (due to its specific taste, giving this drug to a child can be problematic; some experts recommend mixing it with grated green apple).

Treatment of allergies in children under one year of age using creams and ointments

If allergic reactions appear on the child’s skin, you can use ointments or creams (hormonal or non-hormonal).

Non-hormonal agents that are used against skin allergies for children under one year old include:

Fenistil-gel;
Bepanten (analogues – D-Panthenol, Pantoderm, Panthenol)
Elidel;
Videstim et al.

All parents need to remember the golden rule - hormonal ointments can be used only in special cases when other drugs do not have a positive effect on the child’s skin. These products are used only as directed and under the supervision of a competent physician.

It is better to use hormonal ointments in short courses, with gradual withdrawal of the drug. They have very strong effects and their uncontrolled use can lead to serious consequences: skin atrophy, addiction, adrenal insufficiency, etc.

One of the modern and more gentle hormonal creams for children under one year old is Advantan. Doctors also allow the use of Elokom hormonal cream.

Traditional methods of getting rid of allergies in children

If, after all, parents decide to treat their child’s allergies using traditional methods, then they must remember that such methods can not only bring benefits, but also cause serious harm. Under no circumstances should you use multiple treatment methods at once.

Against this disease in children, you can use herbal baths, which help cope with allergic reactions and calm the nervous system of the baby. Such procedures should take no more than 10 minutes. The course is designed for 5-6 procedures every other day. Before bathing your child in herbs, you need to soak a cotton pad in the decoction and rub it over a small area of the child’s skin to make sure there is no reaction. Herbs such as chamomile, oregano or string are suitable.

Black currant leaves are effective against allergies; they need to be brewed with 1 liter of boiling water, then boiled for about 10 minutes and allowed to brew for 1 hour. Next, strain the infusion and add it to the baby’s bath.

Also, to relieve itching in children, a decoction of oregano will help, for this you need to take about 2 tablespoons of the herb and pour 1 liter of boiling water, then leave for about 2 hours, strain and add to the child’s bath.

Herbal teas are great for treating allergies. It is necessary to mix string, chamomile and oak bark. Pour three tablespoons of the mixture into 1 liter of cold water and let it brew for 12 hours. Then bring the tincture to a boil, strain and use for 12 liters of bathing water.

It is recommended to give ground eggshells to children closer to the age of one year. To do this, you need eggs from domestic chickens; the shells must be thoroughly washed, dried, and ground in a coffee grinder. Take the egg powder on the tip of a knife and extinguish it with lemon juice. This mixture should be given 2 times a day.

Also, babies closer to one year old can be given potatoes baked in ash, which helps effectively fight the manifestations of an allergic reaction.

Preventing allergies during mother's pregnancy

Everyone knows that the health of a baby depends entirely on its mother, so she must take care of her child even before his birth. And in order to prevent allergies in newborns, a woman during pregnancy must adhere to strict rules:

Smoking is contraindicated (preferably both parents);
do not indulge in allergic foods (strawberries, citrus fruits, chocolate, nuts, foods containing preservatives and dyes);
walk outdoors more often.

By following simple tips, you can prevent unpleasant diseases in your baby even before he is born.

Read further:

An infant most often puts parents into a stupor; they begin to panic, look for the reason for the baby’s condition, and ask their friends and grandmother neighbors for advice. In fact, allergies in children under one year of age are considered a common occurrence; doctors are well aware of the possible causes of its occurrence and options for alleviating the baby’s condition.

Table of contents:

Types of allergies in children under one year of age, symptoms

An allergy can be triggered by absolutely any object or any substance that surrounds a child - this is the opinion expressed by most experts. But most often allergens are food and. It is based on these irritants that the differentiation of the condition in question occurs - and household allergies.

Food allergies in children under one year of age

During pregnancy, a woman closely monitors her health, strictly follows the recommendations of the gynecologist and excludes from her diet most foods that can lead to the development of allergies in the unborn child. But as soon as the baby is born, all these forbidden foods appear in the house again - the mother eats them with pleasure, especially since the motto “you need to eat for two - you feed the baby” has not yet been canceled, unfortunately. The result of such carelessness will be the child’s allergies - first, aggressive products enter his body along with mother’s milk, and then they arrive along with incorrectly formulated complementary foods.

We recommend reading:

Symptoms of food allergies in children under one year of age:

Household allergies in children under one year of age

House dust is a multicomponent substance and it is impossible to say for sure what causes an allergic reaction in a child, since it can be insect waste products, spores of fungal colonies, and animal fur. To find out which specific allergen is the cause of the development of an inadequate reaction in a child under one year old, you need to visit a doctor and undergo a test.

Symptoms of household allergies in a child under one year of age:

Contact allergy in a child under one year old

This type of disease in question occurs only if there was direct skin contact with the irritant. Most often, it occurs in a child due to the use of aggressive washing powders, detergents and cleaning products when washing the child’s dishes, low-quality and synthetic fabrics.

Symptoms of contact allergies in a child under one year of age:

Note:in some cases, a child develops all the symptoms of different types of allergies at once - his respiratory system, skin, and digestive system suffer. This means that a serious malfunction has occurred in the body and immediate medical attention is required.

Allergies in a child under one year old - how you can help at home

Of course, every mother will look for options to alleviate the child’s condition. The most reasonable decision would be to seek help from specialists - they will diagnose the form of allergy, perform the necessary examinations, and, if necessary, prescribe. But there are some activities that parents can do at home that will help their child and, in most cases, prevent the use of medications.

Actions of parents in case of contact allergies in a child under one year old

If it has been determined that the child’s allergy is indeed of a contact type, then experts recommend the following measures:

Remove all household chemicals as far as possible and carefully seal them - the child’s curiosity will not be satisfied, which means contact will be avoided.
When cleaning the premises, do not use aggressive agents - avoid detergents and cleaning agents, bleach (chlorine), and various fragrances.
The child’s dishes cannot be washed with usual detergents - in some cases, even thoroughly rinsing cups/plates/spoons/forks/bottles does not prevent the development of allergies. It is much wiser to use mustard, lemon juice, baking soda to clean dishes - more specific recommendations on the use of natural remedies can be obtained from your doctor.
You need to wash your baby’s clothes either with special hypoallergenic washing powders or regular laundry soap. No air conditioners should be used!
If you have a contact allergy, you should bathe your baby only in clean water; you can add decoctions or thyme to it - they will soothe inflamed areas of the skin, relieve intense itching, and reduce peeling.
You should use baby oil, powders, creams and any others only as prescribed by your doctor - even the most famous brands add various chemical components to their products that can trigger an allergic reaction.

In addition, in case of contact allergies, you need to completely abandon synthetic fabrics - all the baby’s clothes and bedding should be made from natural fibers.

What to do if a child under one year old has a food allergy

Food allergy in a child under one year of age is the most common type of disease in question. There are a number of preventative measures that will help avoid the progression of food allergies, even if there were already symptoms of its occurrence.