Diathesis On The Cheeks In Infants - Causes And Treatment, Features Of The Course

2024 Author: Josephine Shorter | [email protected]. Last modified: 2024-01-07 17:49

Diathesis on the cheeks in infants

Diathesis is a child's hereditary predisposition to various allergic reactions, respiratory infections, acid-base metabolism disorders, etc.

If we refer to the Greek language, the word "diathesis" is translated as "inclination." Modern medicine does not consider diathesis as some kind of disease. It is equated with special conditions that develop in childhood.

The main characteristics of this violation are:

• Diathesis has a hereditary predisposition.
• It is characterized by an undulating current. From time to time there are exacerbations of diathesis.
• Diathesis often develops in children who suffer from allergies, acute respiratory viral infections, seizures, metabolic disorders, immunological pathologies.

Children's cheeks are a favorite place for diathesis to manifest.

Content:

• Diathesis reasons
• Diathesis symptoms
• Other types of diathesis
• Diathesis treatment
• Drug treatment
• Local treatment of diathesis
• Can I be vaccinated for diathesis?
• Forecast

Diathesis reasons

It is difficult to limit oneself to one reason why a child develops diathesis. As a rule, this is a whole complex of factors. Together, they provoke this violation.

These include:

• Hereditary predisposition.
• Serious errors in the diet of a pregnant woman: eating harmful foods that are rich in chemical components.
• Excessive consumption of allergenic foods during pregnancy. These products are: honey, berries, chocolate, citrus fruits, nuts, milk, eggs.
• Chronic diseases of a woman, as well as infectious diseases suffered during pregnancy.
• Treatment with antibacterial drugs during gestation.
• Severe toxicosis during pregnancy.
• Feeding the baby with artificial formula, or giving up breastfeeding too early.
• Child's allergy to artificial formula or cow's milk. Too early its introduction into the infant's diet.

Diathesis can be triggered by an allergy to food, contact with the skin of allergenic substances, their inhalation.

Respiratory diathesis

Diathesis of a respiratory nature can be caused by the following factors:

• Lack of wet cleaning in the room where the baby lives.
• The presence of dust collectors in the apartment.
• Purchase of new low-quality furniture, repairs carried out in the apartment.
• The presence in the living quarters of pets, poultry, etc.
• Excessive use by adult family members of such products as: eau de toilette, deodorants, air fragrances, household chemicals with chlorine, washing powders, etc.
• Chinese toys that emit a strong chemical smell. They often cause poisoning of the child's body.

Food allergy

Almost any food products, or substances that make up their composition, can provoke diathesis. Moreover, not only children, but also adults can react sharply. For a baby, what his mother eats is of great importance. To minimize the likelihood of developing diathesis, complementary foods must be introduced in due time.

Contact diathesis

Contact diathesis can develop under the influence of the following factors:

• Improper hygiene procedures. For the first 3 months, you need to wash the child in boiled water, cooling it to a comfortable temperature. Do not use products with an abundance of chemical components in the composition for bathing a baby.
• Washing clothes with powders, which contain surfactants and phosphates in significant quantities. By the way, many children's laundry detergents, including the popular Eared nannies, “sin” with this.
• Use of synthetic clothing and diapers. Babies should be dressed in natural fabrics. It is imperative to wear a cotton undershirt under woolen products.
• Using wet wipes for baby skin care. This is especially true for antibacterial wipes.

Autoimmune diathesis

Diathesis can develop when the child's body is prone to autoimmune diseases. At the same time, the baby will have an increased sensitivity to ultraviolet rays, a high level of immunoglobulins of class E and M, etc., is found in the blood.

Infectious-allergic diathesis

Diathesis can develop after viral or bacterial infections. The main manifestation of the disorder will be skin rashes.

Exudative-catarrhal diathesis

Exudative-catarrhal diathesis develops when the child's body is predisposed to pseudo-allergic reactions, to the formation of infiltrates and excessive sloughing of the skin, to disruptions in metabolic processes.

Such a diathesis most often affects infants with a large weight, who have too loose subcutaneous tissue. In babies, diaper rash is often formed, the skin tone is weak, seborrheic crusts form on the head, and digestion is largely impaired. Palpation of the lymphatics often reveals their increase in size, the skin is exposed to bacterial damage.

Diathesis symptoms

The symptoms of diathesis can be very diverse, but it is impossible not to notice them. The child suffers not only the skin, but also other body systems. Every woman should know exactly how the violation manifests itself, since all children are at risk. The earlier treatment is started, the less harm the diathesis will cause to the child's body. In this case, it is necessary to distinguish it from prickly heat, skin rash, diaper and atopic dermatitis, etc.

Skin reaction:

• Seborrhea (gneiss). Scales form on the scalp, on the crown and on the eyebrows of the child. They are brown in color and oily to the touch. They can be easily removed by oiling. Under the crusts, red inflamed skin is visible, or areas of wetness. After a short period of time, these crusts will reappear. The child will be anxious, as seborrhea causes itchy skin in the areas of congestion.
• Milk crust. This symptom manifests itself in the form of reddening of the child's cheeks. The affected area is bright red, and the blush is often clear-cut. The skin in the affected area is thicker than elsewhere. Small scales are visible on it, it is rough to the touch. If the disease has a severe course, then crusts and bubbles form on the cheeks.
• Diaper rash. Different zones suffer from diaper rash: the skin behind the ears, the folds of the limbs, the groin area, the armpits. It is difficult to cope with diaper rash during diathesis, since they are difficult to treat. Even good hygiene does not help.
• Strofulus. This disorder manifests itself in a rash that looks like small nodules. It covers the legs, arms, torso. The rash itches a lot.
• Eczema. She can bother a child from the first month of life and up to 2 years. Eczema develops due to the fact that the baby scratches the skin, and an infection gets into these microtraumas. Eczema is predominantly wet, with areas of suppuration visible. The child suffers from body intoxication. Less commonly, dry eczema forms, which is accompanied by desquamation of the dermis. Over time, it will turn into neurodermatitis. If the disease has a severe course, then eczema captures not only the cheeks, but also the hips, chest, and shoulders of the child.
• Hives. This symptom is characterized by the appearance of blisters on the skin, which in appearance resemble nettle burns. These blisters itch a lot.

In addition to the skin, during diathesis, the mucous membranes of the child will suffer, which is manifested by such symptoms as:

• Geographic language. Spots appear on it, which give the organ a certain resemblance to a geographical map. Such a violation develops due to uneven sloughing of the mucous membrane of the tongue.
• Damage to the mucous membranes of the digestive system. This is manifested by a variety of disorders, including: diarrhea, dysbiosis, vomiting, nausea, abdominal pain.
• Inflammation of the mucous membranes of the respiratory system. This is manifested by a cough that cannot be eliminated with standard medicines, as well as an allergic rhinitis.
• Inflammation of the organs of vision, which is expressed by allergic conjunctivitis.
• Inflammation of the bladder with symptoms of cystitis.

Separately, the general symptoms of diathesis should be highlighted:

• The baby becomes restless, cries all the time.
• The baby's sleep is disturbed.
• The child often spits up.
• His appetite disappears.

Other types of diathesis

Lymphatic diathesis

Lymphatic diathesis develops in children with insufficient lymphatic system against the background of weak functioning of the thymus gland. The child suffers from frequent allergies, the skin is inflamed all the time. The work of the adrenal glands is reduced, the immunity is weak, which is especially noticeable in terms of skin manifestations.

In children with lymphatic diathesis, the legs and arms are excessively long, and the trunk is short. Lymph nodes and tonsils are enlarged all the time. The same applies to the thymus gland. Sometimes it even interferes with the baby's normal breathing. Many children with this condition develop anemia.

Neuro-arthritic diathesis

This type of diathesis leads to increased nervous excitability and mental depletion. Children develop mentally quickly, but are extremely restless. This is especially noticeable in contrast to healthy peers. Acetonemic crises are one of the clear symptoms of neuro-arthritic diathesis. They lead parents to panic, provoke thoughts of severe pathologies. The crisis is characterized by repeated vomiting, the child turns pale, becomes lethargic, and may lose consciousness.

The reason that provokes a crisis is hunger, or other errors in nutrition, for example, excessive consumption of protein and fatty foods. Stress can also cause a crisis. The body releases anti-insulin hormones, which leads to an increase in the level of ketone bodies in the blood. All this negatively affects the central nervous system. In such cases, the likelihood of developing a coma increases. Vessels spasm, which leads to irritation of the mucous membrane of the digestive system and the child vomits.

Children with this type of diathesis are obese, they develop diseases affecting the kidneys. In adulthood, there is a high likelihood of gout, which leads to disruptions in the exchange of uric acid.

Diathesis treatment

Diathesis treatment is a rather complicated process. The result will not be achieved if the parents do not follow all medical recommendations. When diathesis develops in an infant, a woman needs to go on a rigid diet, eat porridge in water and crackers. Then you need to evaluate the child's reaction to changes in the mother's menu.

Twice a day, the baby will need to be bathed in a broth and sage, perform starch baths, make lotions with furacilin and soda.

Nutritional features of a woman who is breastfeeding

Often, diathesis in a baby develops when a woman eats sausage, sweets, smoked meats. Sometimes even the chicken, fruits and dairy products that a nursing mother eats can cause problems in the baby. The fact is that in the process of their production and growing, antibiotics are often used, to which the child's body reacts with diathesis. Affected by the processing of meat, chemical fertilizers and harmful substances that are used for their long-term storage.

Measures to reduce the likelihood of developing an allergic reaction

To minimize harm from food, the following conditions should be observed:

• Boil, bake or steam food.
• Before cooking, soak cereals and vegetables in cool water for at least 10 hours.
• Drain the first broth during cooking (pre-boiling time 20 minutes). Only then should the products be brought to full readiness.
• Before buying products, you should study their composition, which is indicated on the packaging. The fewer unknown components in it, the better.

Rules for feeding and caring for an infant

• You need to apply the baby to the breast as early as possible.
• Breastfeeding should be continued until the baby is 6 months old. This is the recommendation of the World Health Organization.
• If a child is artificially fed, then it is necessary to carefully select milk formulas.
• Complementary foods must be introduced correctly. Zucchini, cauliflower, potatoes, turnips are suitable as the first vegetables. Before offering them to your child, you need to soak the vegetables in cool water (soaking time is 12 hours). Only then can they be given to the child.
• Complementary foods should be introduced smoothly. The child is offered only one product per day.
• It is important to monitor your baby's reaction to a new dish. If it gives a negative reaction, then he is refused for a while. It's good if mom keeps a food diary.
• All allergenic foods are not suitable for the introduction of the first complementary food.

Compliance with the rules of baby care

• The child's underwear must always be clean.
• Use neutral detergents for washing.
• After a child urinates or has a bowel movement, you need to wash his skin.
• Do not allow mother and child to take a bath together.
• For baby's skin care, you need to use specialized products.
• Child's nails should be trimmed short.
• Allergens in the apartment must be minimized. It is important to remove animal hair, regularly wet cleaning, and get rid of soft toys.

Drug treatment

A child with diathesis is prescribed antihistamines:

• Means for the treatment of allergies of the 1st generation have a sedative effect on the body. Therefore, they are used in the case when the baby is too restless, suffers from sleep disturbances, and cries a lot. The drugs are prescribed for up to 14 days. They are changed every 5 days. Such medicines include: Suprastin, Pipolfen, Tavegil.
• Means for the treatment of allergies of the 2nd generation. They quickly stop the manifestations of allergies, but do not have a hypnotic effect. Therefore, they can be taken for several weeks. These drugs include: Zyrtec, Elastin, Claritin.

Sedatives are prescribed if the child is too restless or crying.

Probiotics are indicated for admission in the case when dysbiosis is diagnosed in a child. They are prescribed courses. For this purpose, Bifidumbacterin, Linex, Normobact, etc. can be used.

Many doctors question the intake of immunomodulators. In infants, immunity does not differ in maturity anyway. While an additional drug load can lead to a weakening of the defenses and can become a trigger for autoimmune processes.

Local treatment of diathesis

If a child suffers from acute diathesis, then it is necessary to bathe him once a day. Features of the procedure:

• The bath time is 10 minutes.
• If the child has weeping eczema, then potassium permanganate should be added to the water so that it becomes a faint pink color.
• If the child has diaper rash, then an infusion of a string or sage is added to the water. You can use starch. To prepare the infusion, take a tablespoon of the herb in a glass of water (holding time is 20 minutes). Before adding the infusion to the bath, you need to strain the composition.
• Starch (2 tablespoons) is dissolved in 50 grams of cold water, then 2 cups of boiling water are added to it and poured into a bath.

After the procedure, the child's skin folds are lubricated with vegetable oil. It is pre-boiled and cooled.

You can also use the following tools:

• Lotions with Furacilin solution. Half a tablet is required for a glass of water. The lotions are left on the baby's skin until the redness disappears. It is important to ensure that the cotton swab does not dry out.
• Lotions with baking soda to get rid of itchy skin. A teaspoon of soda is taken in a glass of water. It is forbidden to rub the baby's skin. Cotton wool soaked in the solution is simply applied to the baby's skin.
• Baby oil and baby cream can be used in areas of increased peeling of the skin.
• Ointments for diathesis. Such means can eliminate only the visible manifestations of the violation, but they are not able to cope with the cause of the problem.

Many diathesis creams and ointments have contraindications and side effects. They cannot be used without medical advice.

Non-hormonal ointments:

• Guzhienko's pasta with zinc and diphenhydramine. It is made to order in a pharmacy.
• Elidel. The ointment can be used from the age of three months. The drug is gently rubbed into the skin 3 times a day.
• Fenistil gel. It can be used from the age of one month. Apply the product to the skin 3 times a day in a thin layer.
• Bepanten ointment. It is applied to the dermis 2 times a day.
• La cree. Preparation with panthenol, walnut extract, string, licorice and bisabolol.
• Tsindol. A preparation based on zinc oxide.
• Desitin with zinc oxide.

If bacterial inflammation develops on the skin, then Vishnevsky ointment, Levomekol, Xeroform in the form of a powder can be used.

Can I be vaccinated for diathesis?

In the acute phase of diathesis, the child is not vaccinated. They can be done only a month after the disease has been dealt with. The child is prescribed antihistamines 3 days before vaccination. After the vaccination is given, they are taken for a week.

Forecast

If all measures to prevent diathesis are observed in full, then the violation can be dealt with by 2-4 years. The child ceases to suffer from allergies to those substances that previously caused him an inflammatory reaction. He will begin to tolerate cow's milk protein, eggs and fruits.

If the diathesis cannot be taken under control and the disease is constantly exacerbated, then in the future it threatens the development of allergies and immunodeficiency.

If there were cases of diathesis in the family, then prevention of the violation should be started even during pregnancy. A woman should exclude allergic foods from the diet. Smoking is prohibited during pregnancy. This bad habit not only increases the likelihood of developing diathesis, but also other serious diseases.

The author of the article: Sokolova Praskovya Fedorovna | Pediatrician

Education: Diploma in the specialty "General Medicine" received at the Volgograd State Medical University. A specialist certificate was immediately received in 2014.