Allergic reaction in a child: what to do? How to treat allergies in a child. Intestinal allergic symptoms

Few parents are lucky enough not to encounter such a problem as the unexpected appearance of a rash on the child’s skin or nasal congestion after a walk in a blooming garden. A desperately sneezing baby with watery eyes is examined by a pediatrician, calling the diagnosis an incomprehensible word “allergy”.

Allergic diseases in children are common. Their pathogenesis is based on an overly expressed reaction of the immune system to any irritant (allergen), which is a substance foreign to the body. The term “allergy” was introduced in 1906 by pediatrician Clemens Pirquet, who made a great contribution to the study of the patterns of development of the interaction of an allergen with the immune system.

Causes

According to a simplified classification, allergies in a child can develop acutely or gradually. In the first case, the disease is based on an immediate hypersensitivity reaction (anaphylactic shock, Quincke's edema) and requires emergency medical care.

Hay fever, or hay fever, has a similar pathogenesis. It is not so aggressive, but can deliver a lot of discomfort little patient. The second option is called a delayed-type reaction and manifests itself mainly in the form of contact dermatitis - an immune-mediated inflammation of the skin.

In addition, allergies are divided into true and false. Despite the identical manifestations, immunoglobulins are not involved in the development of pseudoallergy.

A distinctive feature is the dependence on the concentration of the allergen.

A true allergic reaction is provoked by contact with the slightest particle; with a false allergy, the principle “the more, the worse” applies, in other words, the severity of symptoms and their presence are generally determined by the amount of the substance.

To understand how to cure allergies in a child, you should know the most common types:

We must not forget about the high probability of allergies in the presence of helminthiases. Helminthic infestations are a provocation of allergic reactions as a result of the release of helminth waste products into the blood.

They become a trigger factor for primary allergies or aggravate the course of already occurring reactions. Helminth infections inhibit the intestinal microflora, thereby leading to dysbacteriosis.

The cause of persistent allergic reactions may be foci of chronic infection in oral cavity, gastrointestinal tract and other organs and systems.

Symptoms

Among the manifestations of allergies, several main groups of symptoms can be distinguished:

respiratory;
gastrointestinal;
dermatological

Respiratory signs include rhinitis (runny nose), itching of the nasal mucosa, cough, hoarseness, difficulty breathing, a rough “barking” cough, noisy breathing as a result of laryngeal edema.

Allergic laryngitis, or false croup, is one of the most dangerous diseases, since the increase in edema leads to suffocation (asphyxia).

Such an allergy in a child should be treated as an emergency and a doctor should be called at the first sign.

Gastrointestinal allergy symptoms are a consequence of damage to the gastrointestinal tract as a result of immune reactions. Their appearance is initiated by various products (milk, nuts, soy). Acute symptoms include nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain and diarrhea after consuming the allergen.

In addition to them, colic in infants is observed as an allergy to cow's milk protein, which is difficult to cure due to late diagnosis. Gastrointestinal allergic syndrome also includes eosinophilic esophagitis, gastritis, gastroenteritis, colitis and enteropathy.

Skin or dermatological manifestations are often encountered in pediatric practice and are mainly caused by food allergies. Hives are characterized by pink blisters that rise above the surface of the skin and are painfully itchy.

Contact dermatitis is possible upon contact with an allergen in a hygiene product in the form of redness and rashes of varying sizes.

You need to have an idea of the alarming symptoms, the appearance of which means severe disturbances as a result of exposure to an allergen.

This is severe pain or itching at the injection site or insect bite, accompanied by increasing pallor of the skin and mucous membranes, sharp abdominal pain combined with nausea and vomiting, swelling of the lips, larynx, cheeks, manifested by difficulty breathing, loss of consciousness.

Diagnostics

It is more difficult to treat allergies in a child, the greater the range of possible provocateurs. The key to successful therapy is comprehensive diagnosis. The following methods are used:

Treatment

The first step in the treatment of allergies is to eliminate the impact of the allergen on the body, that is, to stop contact with it. In addition to the hypoallergenic diet, toys with fillings that cause a reaction and detergents are removed from use.

It is impossible to treat allergies in children as a transient process. If you are susceptible to household allergens, frequent wet cleaning and replacement of the feather pillow are necessary.

Contact with pets should be eliminated or minimized. Spa treatment or a trip outside the “allergic” zone when plants are blooming is useful for a child with hay fever. If there are foci of chronic infection, their sanitation is required, i.e., proper treatment.

H1-histamine blockers (cetirizine, Erius) and glucocorticosteroids (fluticasone, beclamethasone) are used as antiallergic drugs. Children over five years old Prescribe medications from the group of mast cell membrane stabilizers (zaditen, nedocromil sodium). Intestinal dysbiosis is corrected by taking probiotics (bifidumbacterin, linex).

How to treat allergies in an infant? First of all, you should consider the mother's diet if the baby is breastfed, as well as the likelihood of dysbiosis. Probiotics may be needed to regulate intestinal microflora, a hypoallergenic diet for a nursing woman.

If it is impossible to remove the allergen and there is a risk of constant contact, allergen-specific immunotherapy is required. The method is implemented by introducing allergens with reduced activity into the blood, digestive tract, nasal cavity, and inhalation.

In this case, specific antibodies are formed that have the ability to bind allergens and block the release of histamine, the main mediator of the allergic reaction. This procedure is contraindicated in severe cases bronchial asthma, cancer, age under 5 years.

Allergies in young children are very common today. This is primarily due to the fact that many new types of allergens have appeared (household chemicals, excessive sterility, products, etc.). Every mother, when a child has an allergy, does not know what to do and begins to deal with allergy symptoms on her own, but in fact, the cause itself needs to be eliminated. This is especially important in children under one year of age, since allergies at this age are a general pathological process that includes other diseases.

The normal state of the immune system is able to distinguish any foreign substance that has entered the body and tries to get rid of it by irritating nerve receptors. Allergies in children under one year old can occur in the first month after birth, in the case of artificial feeding. Therefore, you need to be attentive to any changes and react in time, as this can develop into a more severe form of the disease.

Allergy symptoms

Allergies manifest themselves traditionally: skin redness, rashes, runny nose, cough, etc. Sometimes pain in the eyes begins, the mucous membranes become inflamed. But, as a rule, an allergic reaction in infants manifests itself on the skin in the form of a rash accompanied by itching.

The first stage is diathesis, characterized by rashes on the cheeks, buttocks and other parts of the body. In the second stage, eczema, blisters filled with fluid begin to form. They itch very much, so the baby is very capricious, sleeps and eats poorly. If the allergy goes away, then crusts appear, which dry out and come off the skin after some time. At the third stage, serious complications appear in the form of atopic dermatitis. This disease is serious because it is accompanied by allergic symptoms that are associated with the respiratory system. If you do not notice the manifestation of a respiratory allergic reaction in time and do not call a doctor, then with a high probability the development of edema will begin and the child may suffocate. Therefore, allergies need to be treated promptly.

Causes of allergies

It is generally accepted that a child inherits a high predisposition to allergies. Also, the reasons may be poor nutrition of the mother during pregnancy and breastfeeding, the baby being on artificial feeding, early introduction of complementary foods. During pregnancy, a woman should exclude citrus fruits and seafood from the menu. But if allergies to these products have not been observed before, then they are allowed, but their consumption is still limited. Many formulas are made from cow's milk and therefore can cause an allergic reaction.

Among the most powerful allergens are many foods, pets, insects, and household chemicals. Let's look at the two most common types of allergies in children: to cats and mixtures.

A child has a severe allergy to cats - what to do?

An allergy can occur not only to cat fur, but also to a special protein that is part of the animal’s saliva and skin. In addition, a cat can bring pollen, dust, and fluff from the external environment, which are also powerful irritants. Symptoms may appear either after direct contact with the cat or several hours later. Such a reaction can be caused by a certain breed or even a specific cat or its food and the means with which it was washed.

It is noteworthy that allergies to cats are often seasonal (spring and autumn) and more often occur in children suffering from atopic dermatitis, hay fever or intolerance to certain foods.

So what to do when a one-month-old baby develops an allergy to a cat? If your child has an allergy and you suspect that the source is a cat, then first reduce contact with the animal to a minimum. For example, do not go to visit friends who have a cat or give your cat to someone for a while and clean it as thoroughly as possible. Then monitor whether the child’s condition has improved. If not, then most likely it is not because of the cat. If yes, then this will be a hint for further action; then you should take a test for this allergen.

As a preventative measure, you need to thoroughly clean and ventilate the rooms, keep objects that the cat uses as far as possible from the baby, change the coverings to washable ones, wash the animals and feed them high-quality food.

Treatment is carried out by an allergist; he prescribes antihistamines and, in some cases, decongestants and local treatment(eye drops, etc.)

By the way, safer breeds in terms of the likelihood of allergies will be Canadian Sphynxes, Bombay, Cornish Rex, Devon Rex cats. Also, cats are much less likely to cause allergies, unlike cats. And dogs give allergic reactions, 2 times less than cats.

Your child is allergic to formula - what to do?

No less common is an allergy to cow's milk (about 5% of babies). Of course, it does not threaten the child’s health, but it still causes some inconvenience. Children who are bottle-fed are most susceptible to allergies to cow protein. This is actually why allergies occur to mixtures that contain cow's milk. It can manifest itself not only as rashes, but also as indigestion. What to do if your child is allergic to formula?

It is necessary to consult a pediatrician, where he will prescribe an allergen test - to detect immunoglobulin E to cow protein in the blood. As a last resort, the doctor conducts a provocative test.

Modern formulas are made using casein (cow protein). Therefore, if you are allergic to a mixture with casein, a substitute is selected - mixtures based on protein hydrolysis or mixtures containing amino acids. Some mothers limit themselves to formulas with goat's milk. Finding them in a specialty store or pharmacy is not difficult.

There is no lifelong diet for allergies to the mixture. Highly adaptable mixtures are prescribed from 6 months to six months. Afterwards it is transferred to the regular mixture. If the allergy recurs, they are prescribed again for another six months. In case of an allergy to the mixture, complementary foods are introduced no earlier than 6 months, and cottage cheese and eggs - after a year.

Don't experiment. There is no need to give your child all foods early, as any of them can cause allergies (especially chocolate, eggs, seafood, mushrooms, nuts, honey, fruits, vegetables, berries, milk, soy).
Do not switch early from breastfeeding to formula: the later, the lower the risk of allergies.
Do not overfeed your baby, as he may develop an allergy to something he previously reacted normally.
React to the first symptoms of an allergy in a timely manner and consult a doctor to prevent complications.

Author of the publication: Anna Kulikova

Allergy in children is a pressing problem in modern allergology and immunology. For parents of a child with allergies, it is first of all important to know the factors that influence the development of allergic diseases. This will help prevent chronic complications and dangerous consequences.

The World Health Organization calls allergies “the disease of the 21st century.” Unfortunately, in Russia, allergies are still not perceived as a serious disease. And parents are in no hurry to examine a child with obvious allergic signs. Meanwhile, the number of Russian children suffering various types allergies is growing rapidly every year. The increase in morbidity is influenced by changes in the quality of nutrition, lifestyle, air and water pollution, poor hygiene in residential premises, an abundance of hygiene and cosmetic products, household chemicals, and frequent use of medications.

Signs of allergies

How do allergy symptoms appear on the skin in children?

Rashes. They can be of different types: redness, small rash, hives. The skin becomes dry and rough. With a long process, thickening and keratinization of some areas of the skin may occur. Also, after scratching, weeping wounds, cracks, ulcers, and eczema on the skin may appear. This is what chronic allergies look like in children, with signs of an inflammatory process that requires drug treatment.
Swelling. Occurs during an acute, immediate allergic reaction, for example, after an insect bite, taking medication, or, less often, after some food. Severe swelling due to allergies is called Quincke's edema. First of all, the lips, eyelids, cheeks, mucous membranes of the mouth and genitals swell. With such symptoms it is necessary urgent Care.
Itching, burning. This is one of the most unpleasant symptoms. The itching can be severe, the child scratches the skin, and this can lead to bacterial infection and a long healing process.

How do allergies to mucous membranes manifest in children?

Rhinitis. With allergic rhinitis, difficulty breathing through the nose, nasal congestion, swelling, and dry mucous membranes are observed. There may also be copious, clear nasal discharge.
Conjunctivitis. Signs of allergic conjunctivitis: redness, lacrimation, pain in the eyes.
Cough. The child may complain of a sore throat, which causes a cough. A dangerous symptom of allergies is hoarseness and difficulty breathing, which may be associated with swelling of the laryngeal mucosa.

Respiratory symptoms are most often provoked by plant, animal, food, medicinal, and chemical allergens.

Signs of allergies in a child from the gastrointestinal tract (GIT):

bloating, colic, rumbling in the intestines;
abdominal pain, nausea;
belching, vomiting, heartburn;
diarrhea or constipation;
signs of dysbiosis.

When does a child have a fever due to allergies?

Insect bites.
Reaction to food.
Drug intolerance.
Pollen intolerance.

In most cases, with allergies, there is no temperature or a low-grade fever is noted - it does not rise above 37.5 °C. But with some types of food and drug allergies, severe intoxication with high fever can occur.

Localization of rashes

Skin allergies in a child can be localized in different places. In what areas does rash, redness, peeling, and swelling of the skin most often occur?

Allergy on the face. The skin on the face is the most problematic and sensitive to external irritants, often chapped and dried out in the sun. Most often, when consuming highly allergenic foods, allergies occur on the cheeks. The cause may also be a contact allergen: water when washing, treating the skin with hygiene products, climatic conditions. Read more about cold allergies in children in our other article. As a rule, allergies begin on the face and then spread to other areas of the body.
Allergy on the neck. May be associated with local exposure to an allergen, for example: woolen, synthetic clothing, dyes, jewelry made from metal and other materials. But also an allergy on the neck is a sign of a systemic manifestation of food, drug, respiratory, and sun allergies. In infants, rashes on the neck are often associated with overheating and are called prickly heat.
Allergies on legs and arms. Most often, rashes occur on the folds - in the elbow and knee joints, on the elbows and knees, on the inside of the thighs, forearms. Rashes appear where the skin sweats or gets dry the most. A rash on the arms and legs can be a reaction to an external irritant: synthetics, wool, dyes, cosmetics. Also often the cause is food or drug allergies.
Allergy to the butt. Rashes on the buttocks do not always indicate an allergic nature. In infants, changes in the skin may be associated with violation of the rules of hygienic care, overheating, and diaper dermatitis. If the rash appears simultaneously on the face (another part of the body) and buttocks, this may be an allergic reaction to some product or household allergen.

Also, rashes can spread throughout the body, appearing on the stomach and back. If a rash appears, you should definitely consult a doctor. After all, often a profuse rash all over the body can be a sign of viral and bacterial infections - measles, rubella, scarlet fever, chickenpox, sudden exanthema. Only a doctor can differentiate the rashes.

One of the most dangerous types of allergies is insect allergy - a reaction to insect bites or contact with their waste products. The reaction develops quickly and can lead to anaphylactic shock, angioedema and suffocation. If there have previously been cases of unexpected reactions to the stings of bees, wasps, hornets and other insects, immediate relief of the allergic reaction with antihistamines and emergency care is required.

Provoking factors

What can a child be allergic to? This is the main question that doctors and parents ask. What categories can allergens be divided into and where to look for them?

Food allergens. This is a large group of allergens. Sometimes it is difficult to determine which specific product a child is allergic to, so the doctor prescribes a strict hypoallergenic diet. The most highly allergenic foods: whole milk, soy, nuts (especially peanuts), eggs (especially whites), fatty meats, chicken, seafood and fish, red, orange fruits, berries, vegetables, bee products, cocoa, all citrus fruits. Sweet, spicy, salty, fermented and smoked foods, carbonated drinks, dyes, flavor enhancers, emulsifiers - all this can provoke acute food allergies.
Lactose intolerance. This type of food allergy is most often diagnosed in the first year of life and usually goes away by the age of three. Lactose is milk sugar that enters the child’s body with breast milk, formula, and during complementary feeding. If there is a lack of the lactase enzyme, milk sugar is not broken down, enters the intestines and causes fermentation, disrupts digestion, intestinal microflora, and causes an allergic reaction. Read more about lactase deficiency and its treatment in our other article.
Gluten or gluten intolerance. Another common type of food allergy in children under three years of age. Although gluten allergies can be detected at a later age, even in teenagers. There is congenital genetic intolerance to gluten, which remains for life and requires adherence to a strict gluten-free diet. But most often there is a temporary allergy to gluten, which is explained by the immaturity of the enzyme system. Gluten is a protein of some cereals, namely: wheat, rye, barley, oats. If you are allergic to gluten, white and brown bread, butter, and confectionery products made from wheat, rye, and oatmeal are prohibited; you should also not give your child semolina, wheat, barley, or oatmeal.
Indoor air. In residential premises there is a huge number of household allergens of various natures: bacterial, fungal, chemical. The most harmful and dangerous to health are dust mites, mold in high humidity indoors, varnish coatings and paint on furniture and walls. Also, dry and hot air in the room, overheating and a constant lack of fluid in the child’s body can aggravate allergic manifestations.
Water. Unrefined tap water with an admixture of chlorine is often the cause of contact allergies in children. This provoking factor must be eliminated first. The most effective solution to the problem is to install a filter.
Household chemicals, clothing and body care products. If there is a child with allergies in the house, it is recommended to avoid household chemicals as much as possible. Washing powder should be hypoallergenic, and you should also avoid softeners. Body care products (shampoos, gels, soaps, creams) must be hypoallergenic and certified.
Plant pollen. The cause of seasonal allergic rhinitis, conjunctivitis, and bronchitis can be pollen from flowering trees and grasses. There are about one hundred types of plant allergens. Most often, allergies are caused by: ragweed, quinoa, wheatgrass, wormwood, dandelion, nettle, corn, poplar, birch, linden, pine, oak, alder, chestnut, most garden flowers, flowering fruit trees. Depending on the time of flowering of plants, several peaks of exacerbations are distinguished: spring, summer, autumn.
Medications. Drug allergies in children are a common and unsafe phenomenon. Taking some drugs can lead to sudden anaphylactic shock, angioedema, when emergency assistance is required. What medications are most likely to trigger an allergic reaction? Antibiotics, vaccines, insulin, sulfa drugs, anticonvulsants, anesthetics. Allergic reactions are often caused by dyes and additives in children's syrups and medicinal herbs.
Pets. Fur, epidermis, feathers, and down of pets can cause a sudden allergic reaction. After contact with a cat, dog, guinea pig or budgie, a child may develop nasal congestion, hives, and itching within 15-20 minutes. The most pronounced reaction occurs with direct contact with an animal, but passive allergy to animal fur and bird feathers is also possible. The most powerful “provocateur” is considered to be the allergen of cat hair and epidermis.

Treatment methods

Treatment of allergies in children is carried out comprehensively. The speed of recovery depends on eliminating the cause of allergies in children. To do this, you need to carefully examine the child’s living conditions: food, hygiene, air, water, animals, climate.

Medication methods

Antihistamines. Prescribed as symptomatic treatment for acute allergic reactions in children, as well as for preventive purposes. Children are allowed antihistamines that do not give a sedative effect - they do not cause lethargy, lethargy and drowsiness. These drugs include second and third generation antihistamines. Antihistamine drops and syrups are recommended for children under 3 years of age; older children can be given tablets.
Means for normalizing digestion. Often, against the background of allergies, a child experiences disturbances in the gastrointestinal tract: constipation, increased flatulence, belching, nausea, dysbacteriosis. In this case, the doctor prescribes sorbents, enzymes, choleretic drugs, drugs with lactulose for chronic constipation, and probiotics.
Hormonal local drugs. Exactly this effective remedy for severe, chronic skin lesions. Hormones quickly eliminate the rash and itching; improvement may occur after two or three applications. But it is important to know that these medications can have dangerous side effects, they can be addictive, and you can be allergic to them. Use strictly as prescribed by a doctor. The most famous hormonal ointments used in pediatrics: Advantan, Avecort, Gistan N, Elokom, Skin-Cap, Skinlight, Silcaren, Uniderm.
Non-hormonal drugs. These are safe antiseptic, moisturizing, regenerating ointments and creams. The most commonly prescribed are: “Desitin”, “Gistan”, “Bepanten”, “Losterin”, “Pantoderm”, “Protopic”, “Solcoseryl” and others.
Local antifungal and antibacterial agents. They are prescribed only for secondary infections that develop against the background of a chronic inflammatory process on the skin. They must be used strictly according to the indications and prescription of the doctor.

Read about antiallergic drugs for children in our other article.

Climatotherapy and other additional methods

Allergic diseases in children are well treated sea water and mountain air. If a child is not allergic to seasonal flowering plants, he can safely be sent to the village, away from house dust and urban living conditions. Children with allergies often experience improvements; their skin becomes much clearer in the summer, when they go to fresh air and the sun. Additional methods of therapy include: physiotherapy, mud therapy, carbon and mineral baths, ultraviolet radiation, herbal medicine. It is also known that childhood allergies can be successfully treated with homeopathy.

Diet therapy

Dietary nutrition is the only effective method of treating food allergies. Hypoallergenic nutrition is also prescribed for diagnosing the disease. A course of dietary nutrition should be prescribed by an allergist. Age-specific energy needs must be taken into account. A menu is also thought out so that the child receives the required amount of proteins, fats, carbohydrates, microelements, and vitamins. Read more about food allergies in children, its diagnosis, prevention and treatment in our other article.

Traditional methods

To treat skin with allergic dermatitis, decoctions of string, sage, celandine, yarrow, chamomile, calendula, and nettle are often used. Therapeutic baths with sea salt. For inflammation of the skin, you can make antiseptic lotions from tea tree oil. Itching and swelling are well relieved by potato juice. Before using any folk remedies you need to make sure that the treatment will not cause a new allergic reaction.

It is also important to pay attention to psychological condition child. After all, allergies refer to psychosomatic diseases and more often occurs in vulnerable, impressionable, withdrawn children.

What to do if your child has allergies? You can't start a disease. If you have frequent skin rashes, your child complains of itching, prolonged rhinitis, or a cough not associated with ARVI, you should consult an allergist. Allergy treatment begins with eliminating the triggering factor. Medicines are used as adjuvant therapy.

Food allergies in a child are an extremely unpleasant condition. Despite the apparent insignificance of the disease, it greatly reduces the quality of life. However, it is sometimes difficult to identify pathology. After all, she is able to “disguise” herself as various ailments. To prevent your child from becoming a victim of this disease, carefully read the characteristics of the disease.

Description of the disease

Food allergy in children, according to medical terminology, is the high sensitivity of the immune system to certain components contained in food. Pathology develops as a result of the fact that the protein (immunoglobulin E) enters into a chemical reaction with a separate “provocateur”.

In most cases, the manifestation of food allergies in a child is quite specific. The symptoms are easily recognized even by parents who do not have a medical education.

But sometimes pathology can be quite insidious. Unpleasant symptoms symptoms that occur in a child are perceived by parents as infectious skin ailments, stomach upset or a cold. At the same time, they do not even realize that food allergies are the basis of all manifestations.

Of course, the best solution is to consult a doctor in a timely manner. This will allow not only to diagnose the pathology, but also to protect the baby from the development of negative consequences.

Causes

In children prone to pathology, the disease manifests itself very early. Food allergies often occur in a month-old baby. It often manifests itself as itching and skin rashes.

The main reasons that provoke allergic reactions, according to doctors, are:

Poor nutrition during pregnancy. The diet of the expectant mother largely determines the health of the baby. Pregnant women are advised to exclude strawberries and citrus fruits from their diet. You should limit your consumption of seafood and fish. In the last months, a woman needs to give up cow's milk. It is recommended to choose fermented milk products instead of this product.
Early introduction of artificial mixtures. This is a common reason that leads to the development of food allergies in an infant. Something to know: Many formulas are made from cow's milk protein. Namely, it is the strongest allergen that provokes the development of the disease. This is why it is recommended to breastfeed your baby for as long as possible. This will protect the baby not only in the first years of life, but will also lay an excellent “base” for the future. If breast-feeding Due to certain reasons it is impossible, it is better to choose hypoallergenic mixtures. They are based on soy protein or goat milk. Such mixtures do not lead to the development of allergies.
Improper nutrition of a nursing mother. All doctors insist on careful adherence to the recommended diet. Of course, all mothers remember the strict dietary restrictions. But from time to time temptations may arise that are difficult to resist. If gross errors are made in food, then the baby very often develops food allergies.
Incorrect introduction of complementary foods. Unpleasant symptoms often occur after eating tiny “adult” food. This picture is observed as a result of untimely introduction of complementary foods, too much food consumed at a time. Some mothers give their baby several types of food at once, which also negatively affects the baby’s health. To prevent a child from developing a food allergy, it is very important to follow all the pediatrician’s recommendations.
Heredity. If parents are diagnosed with allergies, the baby is also prone to pathology. In this case, the baby may develop any form of the disease.
Use of antibiotic therapy. If such drugs are used in the first year of a baby’s life, the child may subsequently develop allergies. After all, it is during this period that the intensive formation of the immune system. Antibiotics can seriously disrupt the natural process.
Overfeeding. This is a very important point. Some parents completely forget about eating in moderation. Any child's cry is perceived as a demand for food. This opinion is wrong. Overfeeding a child often leads to allergic reactions. At the same time, even those foods to which the baby previously reacted normally can provoke them. In this case, allergens may become: breast milk, complementary feeding products, adapted mixtures.
Poor nutrition. Sometimes the disease develops when the child is 2 years old. Food allergies are often triggered by a large amount of preservatives, dyes, emulsifiers, and flavors in the diet. Such substances are foreign to the body. Therefore, the immune system perceives them as aggressors, which it immediately begins to fight.
Various pathologies. Why does food allergy occur in a 3 year old child? Often the underlying cause is diseases of the digestive system, biliary tract, and liver. Disturbed intestinal microflora can lead to the development of pathology. Such diseases are often caused by poor nutrition. But sometimes ailments can be congenital. In this case, unpleasant symptoms will make themselves felt much earlier.

Allergenic products

To combat pathology, you should initially exclude those foods that can cause an unpleasant condition. It is very difficult to determine which foods underlie the disease in young children.

Most often, food allergies in a child (1 year old) are provoked by such components as:

cow's milk proteins (in any form);
fish (especially sea fish);
quail proteins, chicken eggs(sometimes yolks, but this is rare);
berries, vegetables, fruits of red or bright yellow color;
proteins of wheat, rye, oats, rice (they contain the allergen - gluten).

It is recommended for babies to introduce only one product into their diet once every 2 weeks. This will allow you to determine what exactly caused the allergy. Therefore, it will be easy to exclude such a product. You should remember important rule- any new product is introduced into the diet in small doses.

The situation is more complicated with older children. A number of additional products are added to the products listed above. After all, the child’s diet expands significantly.

Severe food allergies in a child can be caused by the following foods:

varieties of nuts;
squid, shrimp, oysters and other types of seafood;
citrus fruits, strawberries, kiwi, plums;
food additives, dyes, preservatives, emulsifiers;
natural honey, chocolate;
legumes

Such food is very dangerous for children from 1 to 4 years old. During this time, the baby’s immune system acquires the necessary skills to recognize the “provocateur” - protein. The body's reaction is no longer so violent. But you shouldn’t delude yourself on this score. Exacerbations of allergies will occur less frequently, but there is a very high chance that the body will “switch” to other provocateurs: plant pollen, household dust.

Characteristic symptoms

The manifestation of food allergies in a child can be quite varied. Moreover, the same product can cause different types of reactions in different children.

Food allergies often manifest themselves:

skin lesions;
respiratory disorders;
gastrointestinal problems.

Let's look at each group of symptoms.

Signs of allergic skin damage:

the appearance of a rash on the surface;
redness;
profuse prickly heat, which occurs even as a result of mild overheating;
hives;
formation of characteristic scales, peeling (often in the scalp, eyebrows);
diathesis - peeling and itching of the cheeks;
Quincke's edema;
the presence of diaper rash, despite careful hygienic care.

Symptoms of pathology affecting the gastrointestinal tract are:

constipation;
flatulence;
frequent loose stools with foam or greens;
colic;
regurgitation;
vomit.

Respiratory disorders include the following signs of the disease:

Allergic rhinitis (nasal congestion, swelling of the mucous membrane, the presence of a runny nose with mucous, colorless discharge).
Headache.
Otitis. Hearing loss, ear congestion.
Allergic conjunctivitis (itching, burning in the eyes, redness of the mucous membranes, yellowish or clear discharge).
Bronchospasm. Feeling of tightness in the chest, wheezing, difficulty breathing.

Depending on the manifestations of symptoms, pathology is divided into:

weak;
moderate;
heavy.

Severe food allergies can only be treated in a hospital setting.

Pathology manifested by the following symptoms requires immediate attention to doctors:

Feeling of a swollen tongue, tightness in the throat, difficulty swallowing. Such symptoms may signal a dangerous condition - Quincke's edema. This pathology is a serious threat to life.
General weakness, decreased visual acuity, dizziness. These signs indicate hypotension. As a result of pathology, pressure decreases. Its fall to a critical level has fatal consequences.
Severe shortness of breath, convulsions, rash. Fever due to food allergies in a child, high blood pressure, swelling of the lungs and even loss of consciousness. Such symptoms characterize a dangerous pathology - anaphylactic shock. Often this phenomenon is provoked not by food, but medications.

How dangerous is the pathology?

Every parent should know what to do if their child has a food allergy. Contact your pediatrician immediately! Any delay can lead to quite serious consequences.

There is no need to attempt self-treatment. Any methods can be used after consultation with a specialist. Only a competent doctor, having examined the baby, can tell how to cure food allergies in a child.

Ignoring pathology can lead to complications such as:

decreased blood pressure;
allergic vasculitis;
anaphylactic shock (it is provoked by: fish, nuts, seafood);
bronchial asthma;
hemolytic anemia;
eczema;
obesity;
serum sickness.

In addition, this disease can support chronic pathologies of the cardiovascular, digestive systems, and ENT organs.

Diagnostic methods

Determining how to treat a child's food allergy requires a thorough evaluation. Diagnosing pathology is a rather complex task that requires a whole range of measures.

Doctors often resort to the following methods:

Analysis of risk factors. The doctor will find out from the parents what the child’s diet and diet are. Learn about hereditary predisposition. Such information is very important for making a correct diagnosis.
Parents keeping a food diary. This procedure usually lasts for 2 weeks. Parents should scrupulously and carefully record all the foods that the baby eats. Near each product, the body’s reaction to it is necessarily recorded. This event allows you to very accurately identify the allergen.
Immunological blood test. This is an extremely reliable laboratory test. In blood taken from a vein, the content of specific immunoglobulin is determined. If the analysis confirms the excess content of this substance in the serum, then there is a high chance that the baby has a food allergy.
Blood test for provocateurs. This analysis allows you to identify common allergens. But sometimes such an examination does not identify all provocateurs. Therefore, even after identifying the allergen, you should very carefully introduce new foods into the child’s diet.
Skin tests. The analysis is usually done for children over 5 years old. Small scratches are made on the baby's forearm. Water in which allergens are dissolved is applied to them. After 10 minutes, the results are assessed. An inflamed, red scratch signals that this product causes a food allergy in the baby.

Methods to combat the disease

How to cure food allergies in a child? This question is asked by many parents who observe painful symptoms in their children.

Methods to combat pathology are based on the following activities:

Diet food. After identifying the allergen, it is recommended to exclude it from the baby’s diet. If a product necessary for the child’s development becomes a provocateur, the doctor will recommend supplements or food that can replace it. In addition, parents need to be very careful when introducing ready-made food into their baby’s diet. For example, cereal bars, muesli, ice cream. Before your child eats them, be sure to study the ingredients of the product, which are printed on the label.
Immunotherapy. This is an event that allows you to gradually reduce the intensity of the reaction to a specific allergen. A small amount of antibodies to the identified provocateur is introduced into the body. Gradually there is a decrease in sensitivity to it. In this case, the dose of antibodies is increased. This method can significantly reduce the unpleasant symptoms of food allergies. Some patients even manage to recover completely from the disease.
Drug therapy. This treatment is a kind of “first aid”. It does not relieve the baby from the causes of the pathology, but it perfectly eliminates the symptoms. Medicines are used to stop an allergy attack and reduce its manifestations.

Diet food

The most important link in the treatment of pathology is the correct diet. Children are prescribed a special hypoallergenic diet. It is based on the exclusion from the diet of foods that can cause undesirable reactions.

Often this diet is selected for each child individually, based on tests. But sometimes doctors consider it advisable to use an extensive hypoallergenic diet. This diet excludes all provoking foods.

We explained above which foods are undesirable. Now let’s look at what a child can do if he or she has a food allergy.

Nutritionists advise basing your baby’s nutrition on the following foods:

Lean meat (pork, beef, chicken).
Fish: sea bass, cod. Children under 1 year of age are not recommended to consume such food.
Fermented milk foods: natural yogurt (without additives), fermented baked milk, kefir, cottage cheese.
Crispbread: buckwheat, rice or corn.
Dried prunes, as well as pears and apples.
By-products: kidneys, liver and tongue.
Vegetables, greens (Brussels sprouts, cabbage or cauliflower, green salad, cucumbers, spinach, broccoli, zucchini, dill, parsley, squash, rutabaga, turnips).
Fruits and berries: white currants, pears, gooseberries, white cherries, green apples.
Cereals: semolina, rice, pearl barley, oatmeal.
Oil: sunflower, olive, butter.
Drinks: rosehip decoction, weak tea, still mineral water, pear and apple compote.

After a certain time, when the child’s food allergy goes away, it is allowed to gradually introduce excluded foods into the menu. After eating a new food, the body’s reaction is observed for 3 days. If an allergy does not occur, then proceed to the introduction of the next product.

This method allows you to identify the food that provokes the development of pathology.

Drug treatment

This therapy is undertaken only when the acute question arises of how to treat food allergies in a child if dietary nutrition has not brought the desired result.

But remember that only a doctor selects medications. After all, even the most effective medications can turn out to be not only useless, but can sometimes harm the health of the baby.

IN drug treatment the following means are included:

Antihistamines. Modern antiallergic medications are allowed to be used even for infants. Last generation drugs do not cause negative consequences. Excellent medications are: Suprastin, Zyrtec, Parlazin.
Sorbents. They bring significant relief to the child during an allergy attack. Popular products are: “Enterodez”, “Activated carbon”, “Polysorb MP”, “Enteros-gel”.
Medicines that normalize the functioning of the gastrointestinal tract. Allergic reactions often affect the digestive system. Therefore, if the baby has developed dysbiosis, it is necessary to normalize the intestinal microflora. Most effective medications are: “Linex”, “Bifikol”, “Bifiform”.

If conjunctivitis or rhinitis occurs, the child is prescribed medications, usually in the form of eye drops or nasal sprays, aimed at eliminating unpleasant symptoms.

Basic prevention

The main method to protect a child from developing food allergies is to follow a diet. Only by refusing to eat provoking foods can you protect your baby from relapses.

And remember, food allergies in a child are a serious pathology that can become a source of serious consequences. Therefore, it is very important to contact competent specialists for adequate treatment at the slightest manifestations of the disease.

People of all ages are susceptible to allergies. And children are no exception. Moreover, in childhood, allergic reactions are more likely to occur and are usually more severe than in adults. This is largely due to the immaturity of the child’s body and especially the child’s immune system. Therefore, all parents should know what allergies look like in children in order to begin treatment in time. In this article you will find not only a description various types allergies, but also photos of allergic skin reactions in babies.

Causes of allergies in children

Allergic reactions are processes associated with improper functioning of the immune system. For their occurrence, allergens are necessary - substances to which the immune system reacts in a special way, causing inflammatory processes. The mechanism for the development of allergic reactions involves cells of the immune system - lymphocytes and leukocytes, and inflammatory mediators - histamines.

Children's immunity is less stable compared to the immunity of adults and does not know how to respond correctly to negative external influences, the entry of unfamiliar substances into the body and to separate truly dangerous substances from those that are not. This happens because the child's immune system is in the process of development. And the younger the child, the less stable his immunity is. This means that the incidence of allergic reactions in children is much higher.

What can cause allergic reactions in children

The list of substances that can cause allergic reactions in both children and adults is quite long. After all, we live in a world in which we are surrounded by a huge amount of potentially dangerous substances. Many of these substances were born thanks to the development of civilization. However, this does not mean that allergens are exclusively products of the chemical industry and man-made compounds. Many allergens are present in natural materials and biological objects.

Children most often experience allergies caused by contact with the following substances:

food products,
household chemical products,
animal fur and saliva,
house dust,
pollen,
medicines.

Also, insect bites, exposure to cold or sunlight can often lead to allergic reactions.

Food allergies

After birth, a newborn baby feeds on mother's milk. Therefore, switching to normal food is a kind of stress for the body, which can lead to allergic reactions. As you get used to a particular type of product, allergic reactions may subside. But if this does not happen, then it is recommended to exclude foods containing food allergens from the baby’s diet.

What foods most often cause allergies in a child:

citrus,
tomatoes,
eggs,
dairy products,
cocoa,
red fish and caviar.

Allergy to dust and pollen, animal hair

Most often, an allergy to these substances manifests itself in a child in the form of rhinitis (runny nose) and lacrimation. But sometimes microscopic particles sprayed into the air can cause asthma attacks and dermatitis. As a rule, it is not the dust or fur particles themselves that cause an allergic reaction, but the animal proteins they contain. The sources of these proteins are, first of all, the saliva of animals or droplets of their urine, as well as a variety of pathogenic microorganisms. After all, even the cleanest cats love to lick themselves, and dogs regularly go outside and bring with them various dirt and bacilli. And after contact with such an animal, a child may receive a sufficient dose of allergens for an allergic reaction to develop.

Household chemicals

Allergy-causing substances may be contained in detergents, shampoos, soaps, washing powders. It is quite natural that any mother makes sure that her child is clean and as little as possible exposed to infectious diseases. However, an excessive desire for hygiene, as well as the use of low-quality detergents, can pose a threat to the child’s health, rather than strengthen it.

Allergy to medications

It can occur if the child is prescribed some medications for other diseases. Most often, allergic reactions in young children are caused by antibiotics, primarily penicillin. Children may also experience allergic skin reactions to various creams and ointments.

Allergy to insect bites and other animals

Allergic reactions caused by particles of animal saliva or animal toxins entering the bloodstream are very dangerous and can cause the most severe forms of allergic reactions - Quincke's edema and anaphylactic shock. Bites inflicted in top part the child's body - head and neck.

Types of childhood allergies

Allergies in a child can manifest themselves in a variety of ways. Some types of allergies are not too obvious and can go away on their own without causing the child significant discomfort or causing any harm to his health. Other types of allergic reactions cause significant inconvenience to the child or may even threaten his life.

The main types of allergic reactions:

dermatitis,
skin itching,
lacrimation,
allergic rhinitis (rhinitis),
bronchial asthma,
hives,
angioedema,

It is especially dangerous when the allergic reaction manifests itself in the form of anaphylactic shock and angioedema. Anaphylactic shock is a condition in which blood pressure drops sharply, shortness of breath appears and there is a threat of loss of consciousness, collapse and cessation of life processes. Angioedema is usually not life-threatening in itself. But if it affects the face, neck and larynx, then there is a threat of spasm respiratory tract, asphyxia and death. If these conditions occur, the child must be immediately hospitalized.

Symptoms and signs of allergies in children

Allergy symptoms depend on the type. They can be either local in nature, for example an allergic reaction to an injection or bite, or systemic in nature, affecting the entire body. First of all, parents need to pay attention to the condition of the skin. Allergic reactions such as urticaria or dermatitis may be accompanied by redness of the skin and the appearance of small skin rashes. Swelling is also possible due to impaired capillary permeability. Other systemic manifestations of allergies include shortness of breath associated with bronchospasm, lacrimation, and allergic rhinitis.

However, it should be remembered that if a child has red spots on his body, this may not be an allergy. Red spots may be symptoms various diseases, including skin infections (pityriasis rosea, erythema), as well as viral infections that affect the entire body (rubella, measles, scarlet fever, chickenpox). Red spots can also be the result of heat rash or insect bites. Therefore, if red spots appear, the child must be shown to a pediatrician. In addition, you should be guided by additional features, such as the presence elevated temperature(in case of allergies it is usually absent).

Treatment of allergies in a child

To cure an allergy, first of all, it is necessary to identify the allergen that caused the child’s undesirable condition. Simple ways can help parents with this, such as keeping a food diary in which all the foods given to the child are recorded. Particular attention should be paid to products with a high degree of allergenicity. It is best not to give such products to young children.

By elimination, you can identify the product that caused the unwanted reaction. A hypoallergenic diet that is optimal for a child of a certain age is best established in accordance with the recommendations of a nutritionist and pediatrician.

A similar method for determining the source of allergies can be applied to other cases. For example, if a child has been taking some medications, you should try to replace them with others, of course, after consulting a doctor.

When breastfeeding, it is worth considering that many medications taken by the mother, as well as allergens contained in food, can pass into breast milk and cause allergies in the baby.

It is also necessary to keep in mind that many diseases, especially skin diseases, can have symptoms similar to those of allergies. Therefore, the presence of allergic conditions should be diagnosed by an allergist. He must also determine the necessary treatment. To identify the allergen, your doctor may prescribe skin tests or an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.

Drug treatment for allergies primarily includes drugs that block histamine receptors in body tissues. These drugs can be divided into several generations. The first generation includes drugs such as Suprastin, Tavegil, Diphenhydramine. However, despite their cheapness, they have a significant amount side effects and cannot always be prescribed to children. Therefore, for the treatment of allergic reactions in children, second-generation antihistamines, such as Loratadine and Cetirizine, are most often prescribed. In severe cases, your doctor may prescribe hormonal anti-inflammatory drugs.

How dangerous are childhood allergies?

Allergic reactions in children are quite common and, in principle, not dangerous if they do not exceed certain limits. They indicate an actively working immune system, which is gradually gaining experience and learning to adequately perceive stimuli coming from the external environment. However, some types of allergic reactions can pose a serious danger to the life and health of the baby. Therefore, if the baby’s body tends to react excessively intensely to some irritants, then it is recommended to show it to the doctor so that the parents can decide together optimal strategy to avoid complications of allergic reactions.

Prevention of allergic reactions in children

There is probably not a single person who has never experienced any allergic reactions in their life. Therefore, there is no point in keeping the child under a hood, protecting him from all possible allergens. However, increased vigilance should still be observed by parents of children who have an increased tendency to allergies, or, in other words, suffering from allergic diathesis - those in whom allergic reactions are observed from the first months of life. In addition, heredity plays an important role in the development of a tendency to allergies. If one of the child’s parents has a tendency to allergies, then there is a high probability that the child will also suffer from allergies more often than his peers. And if both parents are allergic, then the likelihood of this increases even more.

Although it is impossible to completely protect a child from allergens, it is nevertheless worth limiting and, if possible, completely eliminating contact with the most allergenic substances. For example, it is better not for a child to try exotic foods at an early age. It is also worth giving your child high-quality food products with known and proven ingredients. You should also not skimp on high-quality detergents, personal hygiene products, and toys made from hypoallergenic materials. In the room where the child is constantly located, it is necessary to do regular cleaning, since an abundance of dust can also lead to the development of allergic reactions.