Allergy In A Child And Children Under One Year Old

2024 Author: Josephine Shorter | [email protected]. Last modified: 2024-01-15 09:49

Allergy in a child and children under one year old

Allergy in children is a specific reaction of children's immunity to a certain irritant entering the body from the outside. The body perceives these irritants as dangerous substances and a protective reaction is triggered. Unfortunately, these reactions are not the most pleasant and are manifested in the form of rhinitis, skin rashes and severe coughing. There are theories that allergy is a hereditary disease, and if one of the parents is allergic, then the child will react to this external influence.

Most often, children are allergic to:

• household dust;
• food products;
• pollen of plants and trees;
• insect bites;
• household chemicals.

Often, an allergy manifests itself immediately after interacting with an allergen and is expressed in the form of a rash, itching, rhinitis, burning eyes, and fever. Despite the specific manifestations of allergies, it most often does not pose a danger to life even in infancy, but some manifestations of allergies can pose a threat to life and health, for example, laryngeal edema, which can lead to suffocation.

Allergies in infants are especially worth noting. Food allergies are most common in infancy. Moreover, if a baby is allergic to any product at such a tender age, this does not mean that this product will be excluded from the diet for life. Food allergies at such an early age can go away on their own. Babies often react to red and orange foods, citrus fruits and chocolate. In order to prevent allergies in the baby, a nursing mother should follow a hypoallergenic diet.

Content:

• Allergy on the face
• Allergy to the skin
• Allergy to cats
• List of popular allergens
• Review of the best ointments and creams

The main symptoms of allergies in children are:

• rash in a child;
• redness of the skin;
• itching;
• rough skin;
• inflammation of the skin.

In infants, allergies are manifested not only by skin rashes, but also by various intestinal disorders, bloating and even stool disorders.

In modern medicine at the moment there are many different drugs that can instantly remove the unpleasant consequences of allergies and, sometimes, even prevent it. These drugs are called antihistamines. Often, in infants, antihistamines are taken after allergy symptoms have developed. The wrong way will be when the allergen is not excluded from the diet, and the allergy symptoms are removed with antihistamines. The most modern way to treat allergies is the introduction of an antidote or antigen, which blocks the manifestation of allergies for a certain period.

Allergy on the face of a child

Allergies on the cheeks and babies are often not a concern for parents. Allergies manifest as rashes, scaling, or large spots. More serious manifestations of allergies are edema, irritation of the mucous membranes, runny nose, constipation, or, conversely, loose stools.

Facial allergy is a consequence of the child's interaction with allergens. The most common cause of allergies is immune problems. Allergies need to be cured because they can degenerate into more serious diseases such as asthma, atopic dermatitis, and may even lead to Quincke's edema. If you take up the treatment of allergies in time, then it will pass without a trace.

Major allergens:

• Products. The most allergenic foods are citruses, milk, nuts, seafood, and chocolate.
• Medicines. Allergens are anesthetics, penicillin-based drugs, sacillates and sulfonamides.
• Household allergens. The most common allergens are: pet hair, dust, mold, insect poison, household chemicals.

The main reason for the development of allergies is a weakened immune system or the introduction of new foods into the diet. At the first symptoms of allergy, you should see a doctor who will determine an accurate diagnosis, most likely it will be diathesis. You should not allow the progression of diathesis, as its development is very unpleasant for the child, and threatens with serious consequences.

The treatment will not give the desired result if the allergen is not eliminated. Allergy treatment should be comprehensive and aimed at eliminating the effects of allergies, as well as at long-term blocking of allergens. One of the first stages of treatment is adherence to a therapeutic diet, which is selected individually for each baby.

Allergic reactions can also occur due to certain diseases, for example, gastritis, therefore, to eliminate allergies, concomitant diseases must be cured.

If the allergic reaction is expressed in rashes, itching or flaking of the skin, then concomitant treatment is prescribed. Local preparations are prescribed in the form of creams or ointments that eliminate discomfort. The selection of drugs should be carried out by a doctor. So, if the selection is not correct, allergic reactions can become chronic. It should be noted that in addition to local preparations, it is necessary to use drugs inside. It is a comprehensive, correctly selected treatment that will help get rid of various complications that allergies can lead to.

The dermatologist will also prescribe the child and the intake of antihistamines, which are allowed for admission in childhood. Additionally, diseases of the gastrointestinal tract must be treated, since such diseases can lead to relapses.

Skin allergies in children

Diathesis, atopic dermatitis or eczema can occur even in healthy children, when taking certain foods and interactions, for example, with household chemicals. The main allergic reaction to food in children is diathesis, which is characterized by reddening of the baby's cheeks and body, and accompanied by itching.

If the diathesis has been started, then children's eczema occurs. The delicate baby skin is covered with bubbles and severe redness. After bubbles, a crust forms on the baby's body, the skin itches severely, causing a lot of inconvenience to the baby.

If the allergy is left untreated, atopic dermatitis develops, in which the skin itches so much that the child sometimes cannot sleep. Atopic dermatitis most often affects the knees and elbows of the baby; in older children, dermatitis also manifests itself on the face.

Sometimes atopic dermatitis, which manifested itself in infancy, can remain for life, but most often it goes away during adolescence.

Due to the fact that there are several reasons for the occurrence of allergies, ranging from a genetic predisposition to an unbalanced diet, so the doctor must carefully analyze all the data about the baby, such as the daily routine and diet, living conditions, and also learn about the presence of hereditary diseases in the family and about the features of the course of pregnancy.

Treatment should be comprehensive. Oral medications can help relieve allergy symptoms, and topical medications can ease unpleasant allergy symptoms. Contact of the child with the allergen must be completely excluded. In order to prevent allergies in children, the mother should take care of the baby while still in the womb and follow a diet, both during pregnancy and during breastfeeding. New products should appear on the baby's menu gradually, in order to track the child's reaction to the new product.

For detailed information on each antihistamine of the 1st, 2nd and 3rd generation, see this article.

Allergy to cats in children

Very often, children are allergic to cats, if you do not notice the onset of an allergy in a child in time, this can adversely affect his health.

What to look for if you are allergic to cats and what to do if you are allergic to cats.

Symptoms of a cat allergy in children

Determining that a child is allergic to cats is sometimes extremely difficult, since allergies are caused by many allergens with similar symptoms.

The main allergens are:

• chemical agents;
• household dust;
• flowering plants.

At the same time, the symptoms of all types of allergies are very similar, in order to determine the cause of the allergy, you should consult a doctor.

If you have a cat, then it is worth contacting you should not delay visiting a doctor if the child has the following symptoms:

• watery eyes;
• rhinitis appeared;
• constant feeling of drowsiness;
• spots appear on the skin.

Very often there is an exacerbation of atopic dermatitis. At the same time, allergies have their peaks of seasonality, an aggravation of allergies most often occurs in the spring. Allergies should not be started, as this threatens the development of asthma.

Treatment of allergies in children to cats

The treatment regimen for cat allergies is fairly standard and includes the following drugs:

• antihistamines;
• decongestants;
• drugs that fight allergies;
• antiallergic injections.

If it is not possible to completely protect the child from the animal, then a set of measures must be taken to prevent the animal's hair from entering the respiratory tract:

• isolate the cat from the child as much as possible;
• remove long-nap carpets and heavy curtains;
• provide good ventilation;
• carry out regular wet cleaning;
• remove the cat tray and bowl in a place inaccessible to the child.

If all the measures taken have not brought the desired result, and the allergy has not receded, then the cat will have to be abandoned. At the same time, in order to completely get rid of allergens, it is necessary to remove all pet care items:

• a bowl;
• scratching post;
• a comb and toys;
• tray and the like.

The apartment must be cleaned with curtains and carpets. It is believed that allergies depend on the cat breed, as Sphynx cats cause allergies much less often than other cat breeds, but even in this case, allergies can occur, and it is worth considering choosing another less allergenic pet.

List of popular allergens

The child is allergic to:

• Infant formula
• Honey
• Eggs
• Citrus
• Animal fur
• Porridge
• Washing powder
• Sweet
• Antibiotics
• Water
• Parrot
• Fish
• Gluten
• Banana
• Cottage cheese
• Apples
• Tea
• Cabbage
• Meat
• Buckwheat
• Mantoux

Allergy in a child to infant formula

Quite often, artificially fed babies are allergic to this or that mixture. This is because many infant formulas are based on whey or cow's milk, a protein that is a strong allergen. Signs and symptoms of mixture allergy are easy to spot. The baby becomes covered with a rash, he has enteritis, constipation, shortness of breath, diarrhea, dermatitis. Many parents have already encountered this disease and know about it firsthand. In addition to a rash, symptoms of the disease include itching, nasal congestion, and dry cough. Moreover, each organism reacts in its own way to various stimuli.

One child may be allergic to a certain type of mixture or porridge, while another may tolerate such artificial nutrition normally. Consider the main points that cause allergic reactions.

What to do, what to feed in this case? First of all, the baby needs to be shown to the pediatrician so that he can determine the exact causes of the rash. Then you should change the mixture used for another, see specific examples in this article. Today, there are various fermented milk mixtures on sale, as well as modern mixtures with probiotics. Their assimilation is much easier, and in most cases children do not have allergies.

In addition, you can try unique mixes made with goat milk or soy mix. The likelihood of allergies in children with allergies is much lower.

Allergy to honey in a child

Although honey is considered the best remedy for many infectious diseases, some people cannot use it because it causes them allergies. Such reactions are quite common in children.

The signs and symptoms of honey allergy are similar to those of allergic reactions to other foods. There is a small rash, unbearable itching, general malaise and indigestion, and in severe cases, suffocation, fever and loss of consciousness.

What if a child is allergic to honey? First of all, you need to find out what sort of honey there was such a serious allergic reaction to. In the future, it should be completely excluded from the diet, and other varieties should be taken with caution. To relieve acute symptoms, you can use modern antihistamines, which will be prescribed by your doctor or allergist. If after taking such funds, improvement does not occur, you should definitely consult with an allergist so that he picks up an analogue.

Allergy to eggs in a child

It is quite common today that many children under one year old have severe egg allergies. In most cases, the body reacts only to egg white, and a small amount of it is enough to cause unpleasant sensations and rashes.

Signs and symptoms of egg allergy are as follows: The baby usually has itching, hives, and digestive problems. With periodically repeated intake of such an allergen as an egg, serious allergic diseases such as diffuse neurodermatitis, rhinitis and asthma can develop.

To eliminate allergy symptoms, it is recommended to take desensitizing drugs. You should carefully monitor what the child eats, and, if possible, remove eggs, especially protein from his diet. You can try replacing chicken eggs with quail eggs, as they are much more nutritious and less likely to cause allergies. If the baby is attending kindergarten, it is imperative to warn the educators so that they exclude all dishes prepared with chicken eggs from the child's diet.

Allergy to citrus fruits in a child

Citrus fruits can also cause severe allergic reactions in young toddlers. In general, it is not recommended to give oranges and tangerines to children under one year old.

The signs and symptoms of citrus allergy are as follows. There may be local manifestations in the form of severe rhinitis, conjunctivitis, dermatitis, and otitis media. Most often, the first symptom is flatulence and a noticeable loosening of the stool. If you do not take the appropriate measures in a timely manner, then in most cases the baby develops unpleasant diarrhea, nausea, a noticeable lack of appetite, and the doctor may also note severe spastic pains.

When these symptoms appear, all kinds of citrus fruits should be completely excluded from the child's diet and be sure to consult a doctor. Treatment of children's allergy to citrus fruits should only be carried out by a qualified allergist. As a rule, at a young age, these fruits are completely excluded for several years, until the gastrointestinal tract becomes more developed.

Child allergy to animals

Perhaps animal allergy is one of the most common manifestations of allergies in many young children. For saliva, wool, dandruff, feathers, urine and animal excrement, a rather high allergenic activity is characteristic.

Signs and symptoms of animal allergy are similar to those of food allergy. First of all, a child has a stuffy nose, he begins to sneeze a lot, his eyes turn red and watery, breathing becomes slightly difficult, and a noticeable small rash and swelling appear on the skin.

What to do in this case? If the allergy is not severe and only manifests itself in rare sneezes, it is not necessary to get rid of your beloved pet. In this case, for example, the dog needs to be washed more often with a special shampoo, as well as to change its diet. A healthy animal with a normal metabolism should not release many allergens. However, in any case, do not allow even a smooth-haired dog to sleep in the baby's room at night.

And with cats, the situation is more complicated, since they emit the most powerful and aggressive allergens. But you can still try washing them regularly, and long hair is recommended to be trimmed. Sometimes it helps to castrate animals so that the child stops showing signs of allergies. And of course, regular wet cleaning in the house, and especially in the children's room, is of great importance.

Allergy to porridge in a child

The basis of infant nutrition at an early age in a child is a variety of cereals, but some children are allergic to hypoallergenic porridge. To establish an accurate diagnosis and correct treatment of the disease, you should definitely contact an allergist.

In this case, first of all, the diagnosis must be confirmed with the help of laboratory tests. The doctor then prescribes individual treatment. It is recommended that the mother of the child keep a food diary, where all the dishes and specific cereals consumed by the child are indicated. This will help determine which components of porridge the child is allergic to. If you do not take action in relation to the rash on the baby's body, then it will become more extensive and itchy.

Allergy to washing powder in children

Modern laundry detergents contain many artificial substances, which is why young children are often allergic to them. It is always recommended to wash baby underwear with special baby soap, so as not to provoke a rash at an early age.

Signs and symptoms of powder allergy are hard not to notice: the child first becomes covered with red spots, and later, when the powder particles enter the nose, rhinitis develops. To avoid such troubles, many pediatricians recommend using only special children's cleaning products for washing children's clothes, and after washing, you need to rinse them with clean warm water several times. If possible, it is also advisable to wash bed linen for allergic children with simple soap without dyes.

Allergy to sweets in a child

Sweets can often cause allergies, and it is quite difficult to determine what exactly caused a strong allergic reaction.

Signs and symptoms of allergy to sweets are not specific, so sometimes it is even impossible to understand what the child is allergic to. With such manifestations, it is not necessary to completely exclude sweets from the diet, because glucose is extremely necessary for a small body. First of all, you need to figure out what exactly caused a rash on the body or a runny nose. Allergies to honey are also common in children. Then, to prevent the onset of symptoms, it is enough to exclude only this product for a while.

Sugar allergy in young children involves the complete elimination of foods containing pure sugar. And further treatment implies a gradual accustoming to these products.

Allergy to antibiotics in a child

At the present time, the strongest allergy in children to many modern antibiotics is quite common. This type of allergy does not appear sharply, but develops slowly, as antibiotics are taken and accumulated in the body.

Signs and symptoms of antibiotic allergy: photosensitivity, visible rash, urticaria, Quincke's edema, mucosal inflammation, watery blisters on the skin, drug fever, and even anaphylactic shock. As a rule, with strong and uncontrollable signs of allergy, the child is immediately admitted to a hospital for blood purification.

What to do, how to treat antibiotic allergies? To begin with, the allergist determines what exactly the allergy is. Then the antibiotics taken are replaced with others with a similar effect, but without the content of certain allergenic substances. To alleviate and eliminate the symptoms, the necessary antihistamine drugs are prescribed. To restore the body, a special diet and abundant drink are prescribed.

An antibiotic allergy diet involves consuming a large variety of fruits, fresh kefir, viscous cereals and taking vitamins. It is imperative to exclude citrus fruits and sweets so as not to provoke new rashes on the baby's body, whose body is greatly weakened by taking antibiotics.

Allergy to water in a child

With the help of a certain allergic reaction, the child's body can defend itself against modern cleansing substances contained in water. The body of a small baby reacts especially sharply to chlorine.

Signs and symptoms of water allergy are not specific. If it is recommended to exclude the allergen in case of food allergy, then this method cannot be used in this case. Therefore, to get rid of this disease, it is necessary to undergo a special complex treatment. During the treatment period, it is recommended to wash the child with boiled water.

Parrot allergy in children

Parrot allergy is a very specific type of allergy. The pathological reaction in most cases is caused by specific proteins contained in the feathers and excrement of these bright birds, as well as by small mites parasitizing on their feathers.

Such allergies in children are often manifested by noticeable difficulty in breathing, the appearance of coughing and shortness of breath. In such cases, the child must be isolated from the parrot. Your doctor may prescribe antihistamines. It is also recommended to carry out inhalations with special pharmacological preparations for the rapid restoration of respiratory function.

Child allergy to fish

In recent years, fish allergy in children has been quite common. Moreover, the body does not at all perceive both river and sea fish. Eel, tuna, salmon, catfish are especially allergenic for small children.

If your child has just this type of allergy, then you should immediately abandon all seafood in order to avoid a dangerous exacerbation of this type of allergy. It should be noted that even modern heat treatment of fish with high temperatures does not make it less allergenic. Therefore, the child should not be given fish in any form.

Gluten allergy in a child

The term "gluten" refers to a protein found in some cereals. Children often have an intolerance or allergy to it. Moreover, it is impossible to get rid of such intolerance, and in most cases the allergies in babies pass over time.

The signs and symptoms of gluten allergy are as follows. A small rash usually appears on the skin, the child becomes irritable and capricious, loses appetite, sleeps poorly, the stool becomes liquid, and increased gas formation is also observed.

If you experience these signs of allergy, you must completely eliminate all foods containing gluten. These include cereals, sweets, flour, meat products, whole milk.

After establishing a diet, as a rule, all symptoms of the disease practically disappear. For treatment, you can drink vitamins, enzymes and necessary probiotics. Allergy to gluten in children disappears over time.

Banana allergy in a child

Bananas are considered very low-allergenic foods, but in some cases children may become allergic to them. This is due to the excess supply of serotonin to the body.

Banana allergy signs and symptoms are not specific. It can be recognized by a small rash on the skin, itching, redness, runny nose. To eliminate them, it is necessary to limit the consumption of bananas; if necessary, it is recommended to give the child modern antihistamines. Then, for a while, you can limit the use of bananas.

Allergy to cottage cheese in a child

Cottage cheese is a fairly heavy food containing a lot of proteins. This is why its introduction into the daily diet of a young child is sometimes accompanied by a noticeable allergic reaction.

Signs and symptoms of cottage cheese allergy are the same as for other types of food allergies. If the introduction of complementary foods in the form of cottage cheese caused an allergy, then such complementary foods should be postponed for some time. After a couple of months, the child should be given cottage cheese again in small quantities to make sure that there is no allergy to cottage cheese.

Allergy to apples in children

A severe allergy to apples in babies is extremely rare. This happens with excessive consumption of bright red apples, as well as when combined with other allergens. It can be noted that this type of allergy is also possible with a genetic predisposition. Children often have an allergic reaction only to red varieties, in such cases it is recommended to replace them with green ones.

The signs and symptoms of apple allergy are not specific. These are minor skin redness, minor rash, swelling, nasal congestion, frequent sneezing, nausea, and vomiting.

If a child has an acute attack of apple allergy, first of all, further contact with this allergen must be excluded. Then you need to go to the hospital, where doctors will cleanse your child's stomach and prescribe the necessary antihistamines.

In this case, specific immunotherapy is effective. At the initial visit, the child must undergo a complete diagnostic examination in order to establish the exact reasons for the appearance of such an allergic reaction.

Allergy to tea in a child

It is impossible to imagine the life of a modern person without tea, but its use is not always useful. Strong tea can cause severe allergies in very young children. The reason for this is the content of various flavors, colors, and artificial flavors in tea. The baby's body can react both to the tea leaf itself, and to the presence of any herbs in the total mass. And if the tea is expired, then it may contain a special fungus, from which a serious allergic reaction also develops.

If a child has this type of allergy, it must be shown to a doctor and examined properly. In the future, you should adhere to a specific diet prescribed by a pediatrician, as well as take prescribed medications in order to easily cope with symptoms when they recur.

Allergy to cabbage in a child

There are children in whom cabbage causes a strong allergic reaction. In such cases, the treatment should be the same as for other types of allergies caused by the intake of a particular food. First of all, it is imperative to exclude the allergenic product.

In the future, it is necessary to carefully monitor the diet in order to prevent exacerbations. If this does happen, it is necessary to give the baby antihistamines prescribed by an allergist. When an allergy to cabbage first appears, it is recommended that the child be examined not only by an allergist, but also by an endocrinologist and gastroenterologist.

Allergy to meat in a child

Meat most often causes an allergic reaction in babies who first begin to introduce this product, which is difficult to digest, into the diet. If the first intake of meat caused an allergy, then it is recommended to postpone complementary foods for at least a couple of months. But the next attempt should be carried out under the supervision of a pediatrician and in very small quantities.

Most often, this allergy is caused by horse meat, pork, chicken. Rabbit meat is the least allergenic type of meat. Allergy treatment in this case should be carried out only by a specialist.

Allergy to buckwheat in babies

Buckwheat porridge contains a lot of proteins, so it can cause allergies in people of different ages, including babies. At the same time, babies have a small pink rash on the skin, the eyes and face usually turn slightly red, and there is also an upset stomach, diarrhea, shortness of breath, and a runny nose.

To exclude such manifestations, it is necessary to revise the child's diet, excluding suspicious foods from it. As a rule, an allergy to buckwheat in infants goes away with age.

Allergy to mantu in a child

The Mantoux test is tested for all children to detect tuberculosis. But not always redness and swelling of the injection site indicates the presence of this disease. In some cases, this is a sign of Mantoux allergy. In this case, the injection site is very itchy, and even large blisters may appear. In such cases, it is necessary to inform the doctor about this before vaccination. Such a predisposition to allergies may be a contraindication to the Mantoux test.

Review of the best ointments and creams

All creams and ointments for children are divided into:

• Non-hormonal creams and ointments
• Creams and ointments for the treatment of severe dermatitis
• Children's ointments and creams with healing and regenerating effects
• Hormonal ointments for allergies

A complete list of creams and ointments for allergies in children: pros and cons

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.