Food allergy
Food allergies are very common in children. And the younger the child, the more often she worries. Outwardly this manifests itself in different ways. Sometimes the baby is troubled by itchy rashes, watery blisters or red spots on the body, frequent regurgitation, vomiting and colic. Usually symptoms appear immediately after feeding, but often they are noticeable only after a couple of days (or weeks). True signs of diathesis can be called dryness and redness of the cheeks. Yellow crusts (parietal) on the head of a crumb also can mean the body's tendency to allergic reactions. Fragments on the skin do not pass, no matter how you care for her? Without the advice of an immunologist can not do! It is necessary to visit the doctor if there is an edema of the lips, inflammation of the eyelids or a constant lachrymation, hampered by wheezing.
The main risk factors for the development of food allergies in children are the genetic predisposition, the age of the child at the first contact with the allergen, the change in the composition of the intestinal microflora. At the first sign of food allergy, carefully analyze the crumbs menu and exclude the most dangerous products for it. There are many risk factors: sausages, cow's milk, honey, eggs, fish, wheat, lamb, cocoa, beans, vegetables, berries and fruits of orange and red color. The most common food allergy is:
- Gluten. It is a gluten protein that is found in wheat, oats and rye. Children are very poorly absorbed up to 5-6 months.
- Eggs. They should be hard boiled. Protein offer the baby only after a year. Do not give an older child more than two eggs a day.
- Cow's milk. For a child's body, this is the most powerful allergen. Enzymatic systems of the baby (up to a year) are not ready to digest this product. Usually there is a negative reaction after an early transfer to breastfeeding.
Breast and artificial feeding
One of the effective methods of protection from food allergies is long-term breastfeeding. But Mom's milk can sometimes provoke the appearance of dermatitis. The risk factor is the intake of antigens into the baby's body through breast milk. Therefore, you need to take care of the safety of breast milk.
First you need to go on a diet. It is important to completely eliminate potential allergens from the diet, reduce the amount of salt and sugar. Be careful even with bread. Limit the use of bread rolls and loaves. Eat only dark varieties.
Do you drink tea to increase lactation? Check its composition. Give up this tea if you find nettles, anise or cumin in it. They can lead to the development of allergies in children. Not suitable also: walnuts, tea with honey and milk, condensed milk, carrot juice. For now, they will have to be forgotten. Special gymnastics will help and frequent application of the baby to the chest.
If you have little milk and the doctor recommends switching to mixed or artificial feeding, be sure to inform him of the susceptibility of the baby to allergies. Given the peculiarities of the body crumbs, the pediatrician will select the optimal diet for him. There are mixtures in which the animal protein is replaced by vegetable - soybean. But it, unfortunately, does not have all the necessary amino acids. Therefore, doctors do not recommend such mixtures to be given for longer than 3-4 months.
If the baby has a reaction to gluten, a child needs a mixture in which the vegetable protein is compensated by other components. In special mixtures, cow's milk protein is completely decomposed into separate particles (hydrolyzed). At the same time, its risk factors are neutralized. The degree of hydration varies. On the packaging it is indicated by the icons: ON 1 or ON 2. The first few days the adapted mixture is given in a smaller quantity than indicated in the instruction. Then gradually adjusted to the age norm.
Cautiously with a new taste
At 6 months old, she offered her first adult dish: vegetable puree. A litter-artificial lure is injected a month earlier. Give only half a teaspoon to the main meal. Carefully follow the reaction of the body: are there rashes, redness and flaking? Observe also the tummy, the changes in the stool. If you get acquainted with the vegetable safely, increase the portion. A week later you can replace one feeding completely.
To avoid the development of allergies to a new product, enter it not earlier than in 1-2 weeks. Such tactics stick to the future. This does not mean that you need to permanently abandon the products that can cause allergies. It may be that a child without consequences eats strawberries, but "does not get along" with carrots or sea fish. Try, experiment. The main thing is, act cautiously. Consult with an allergist and gastroenterologist, take into account their recommendations regarding the nutrition of children. Based on the tests and analyzes performed, they will recommend an individual product table. Take it into account when compiling the menu.
The doctor most likely will advise to start a food diary of the child where it is necessary to write down everything that you ate (if you are breast-feeding) and the child. It should be noted the timing of the introduction of a new product and its exact amount (in grams). It is necessary to indicate detailed characteristics (for example, fat-free cottage cheese, beef tenderloin, rye bread), methods of cooking, storage conditions for raw and finished products. Fix the occurrence of any reactions to new food (or lack thereof). With the help of such a notebook you can independently find out what the child's body does not like. Let your exacerbation of the disease does not scare when you use certain foods. In fact the food allergen is found - and it in this case is more important.
Exclude risk factors
The development of allergies in children can occur as a result of malnutrition. Even a harmless potato at first glance is capable of provoking rashes. To exclude risk factors, nutritionists advise the following. Completely remove from the menu of allergies bright yellow-red vegetables and fruits. Prepare the food for a couple. Such a diet is beneficial for the gastrointestinal fact, liver and kidneys. Do not overeat the food. Excess sodium chloride is harmful to both children and adults.
Do not give sweet! Of course, children beg to buy a candy or ice cream. Try to explain your child's refusal. If he understands the connection between pain in the tummy and eaten on the eve of the cake, then he will not be hostile to your perceived categorical - "it is impossible". You can not always keep track of the baby and protect him from temptation. Turn crumbs into your ally in the fight against allergies. And then the child will be able to refuse to offer a friend to eat the chips.
Animal Allergy
Contact with animals is a common risk factor for childhood allergies. The main source of allergy is wool and saliva. Therefore, you better not start pets and do not allow them to iron on the street. Unfortunately, even aquarium fish, or rather, dry food for them, can cause allergies. If at home the kitten or puppy still settles, it should be regularly bathed. Carefully comb out the animals' hair, but do it when you walk with them on the street, not at home. And that in rooms there are no villi, use a vacuum cleaner. An animal hair collection nozzle will clean the room. Just remember that the vacuum cleaner should be equipped with antibacterial filters.
Allergy to plants
The main risk factors for the development of seasonal allergies are pollen, smell, milky juice of plants, herbal teas. Most often, allergies in children are caused by pollen. Specialists call the disease caused by the pollen of plants, pollinosis. The most frequent manifestations are urticaria, conjunctivitis, pollen bronchial asthma, rhinitis. But all these symptoms directly depend on the time of year. Study the calendar of flowering and spore formation of plants and prevent disease. Often when plants are allergic to plants, the plants themselves are not to blame. Consider that an ailment can develop if you do not pay attention to other risk factors:
- Second hand smoke. The fact that parents go out to smoke on the balcony, does not rule out an allergy. Sometimes enough of the remaining smell of smoke to provoke an attack. Stay away from public places (cafes, squares) in which you are allowed to smoke.
- Increased permeability of mucous membranes.
- Environmental pollution.
Of course, you can not hide from the pollen. But you can alleviate allergy symptoms. If on a walk a child suddenly turned pale, he had a runny nose and tears began to flow, then take him away from flower beds. At the first manifestations of the allergy, put the baby wet handkerchiefs on the nose and mouth. Itching of the eyes and nose will decrease, if you wash your face with cold water immediately, so carry a bottle of water with you. If possible, go home and change your clothes. Ask your child to wash your hands and face thoroughly. It is even better to take a shower or a bath. Do not go out with the child on the street in the hours when the maximum concentration of pollen in the air (from 7.00 to 8.00 and from 17.00 to 22.00) and in strong winds. By doing this, you reduce the risk factors to a minimum.
Cross-allergic reaction
Animals and vegetable proteins often cause the same reactions of the body. This pattern is confirmed by biological studies. In the composition of some products and in the pollen of plants there are protein molecules that have identical parts. This leads to cross reactions. A child who has scaly skin from plum jam may sneeze from birch and alder pollen. And if the crumbs are allergic to citrus, it is better not to smell dahlias, chamomile and dandelions. Scientists identified the following risk factors:
- Allergies to birch sap, apple, cherry, plum, peach, hazelnuts, carrots, celery, potatoes, kiwi - allergic to birch, alder, apple, and alder pollen is possible.
- Allergies to oats, wheat, barley, sorrel - allergies to pollen of grass grasses are possible.
- Allergies to citrus fruits, chicory, sunflower seed (oil, halva), honey, melons, banana - allergic to pollen of pollen, dahlias, chamomile, dandelion, ragweed, sunflower.
- Allergies to beets and spinach - allergy to pollen of swans is possible.
Other risk factors for childhood allergy
The source of allergy can be clothing material. Naturally, you buy the best for children. Here are just things not all natural materials fit the child. Be attentive and to purchase winter clothes. Down jackets, fur coats on natural fur themselves are allergens. Get the overalls on the sintepon. If the child is predisposed to allergies, when selecting warm sweaters, panties and hats, you should carefully read the composition of the tissue. Woolen things set aside. One rule remains unchanged: panties, T-shirts, socks and bedding should only be made of cotton.
Home dust is a common risk factor for allergies. In it settle dust mites, whose excrement is very allergens. Therefore, make sure that there is always order in the room and preach child to neatness. Take the children's clothes immediately to the closet, do not allow the crumb to hang it on chairs and beds. In the evening, send all toys with children to shelves and special boxes.
Home flowers are also a source of allergy. Therefore, take out of the nursery all the flowerpots. Even the most beautiful flower can become dangerous to health. Geranium, primrose, begonia or violet will harm a small allergic person. The earth in flower pots is an ideal place for mold, which mites like. Also do not put flowers with flowers in the child's room. And from the drawing up of ikebana from dried plants, you better give up, because they collect dust and harmful substances.
Household chemicals are also very dangerous. Various air fresheners, gels, dishwashing detergents - because of the sharp odor. A washing powder - because of the excess of toxic dust. Therefore, when cleaning the house, chemicals are not suitable. They perfectly replace children's soap and soda. For washing dishes, allergists advise using mustard.
How to deal with risk factors for children's allergies
In order to combat the risk factors and prescribe treatment, it is necessary to collect as many facts as possible about the child's allergy. First of all, remember when it began. Some children runny nose, cough and itching trouble in the spring, then for a month everything disappears and appears again when the time comes Compositae and weeds. Try to determine the type of plant that affects his health. You need to visit the doctor for three weeks before the dangerous season begins. The immunologist will examine the child, take into account your observations and prescribe a therapy. But the priority direction in the treatment will be strengthening of immunity and regular implementation of preventive procedures.
Modern diagnostics makes it possible to identify allergy risk factors in a child. One of their effective tests is IFL (enzyme immunoassay). Other methods are a complex study and test the reaction immediately to several dozen substances. For example, MAST-diagnostics. Detect the allergen and with the help of the analysis for the presence of antibodies to this allergen in the blood serum. It makes it possible to diagnose up to 70 allergens. You will be given a list of foods that need to be excluded from the diet, as well as trees, shrubs and flowers, whose pollen is dangerous for your child. The main condition: the analysis should be done not in the flowering period, but several months before it.
One of the most accessible methods is a provocative test. The main argument in his favor is that the diagnosis can be carried out at home. If you suspect a certain food, he is deliberately given to the patient. The appearance of the reaction confirms the allergy. After the child reaches three years of age, skin tests are performed with diagnostic allergens. These tests are of several types: drops of allergens (no more than 15 samples per session) are applied to the skin of the forearm with the help of an application or make a scratch. After 20 minutes, evaluate the result.
Most often, the risk factor is genetic predisposition. For example, people with a family who already have allergies suffer from pollen. Doctors identify 10 genes responsible for the predisposition to this disease. If you, the husband or one of your parents has an allergy, perhaps a little one will be troubled by "seasonal ailments". Seasonal allergy makes the respiratory tract of the crumbs more sensitive and vulnerable. It is important to remove from his environment anything that can exacerbate irritation. After a long cough often becomes the initial link in the chain leading to bronchial asthma. Be attentive! During the period of acute pollinosis, the spectrum of risk factors can expand (dust, animal hair, drugs).
If you managed to detect dangerous allergens, to which the child responds - half the case is done. Protect your baby from risk factors, and his well-being will noticeably improve, and eventually stabilize. If you consolidate this condition for a long time, the chances of getting better will improve. Allergy is not a sentence. It's not necessary to give up work to devote yourself to caring for a crumb. At 3-3.5 years old he is completely independent and can attend a kindergarten. Just do not forget to warn the caregivers, describe the symptoms and give advice on first aid. Perhaps you will need a special garden, which takes children with diseases of the ENT organs.
Safety rules for the development of allergies in children
Dependence on seasonal phenomena weakens the child's body. From March to September, you need to constantly see a doctor. In addition, the baby should adhere to the regime (do not forget about the day's sleep!) And eat right. There are several important rules:
- As often as possible arrange water procedures. Try to wash your baby every two hours and bathe several times a day. This will ease the condition.
- For washing things, use baby soap or powder for babies. They are the least allergenic.
- No sushi underwear and allergic clothing on the street or balcony. Dangerous pollen settles on the tissue.
- Always close the windows and the hatch while driving. A strong movement of air draws the pollen into the car's interior.
Buy the necessary drugs. Allergists have a large selection of remedies that they can assign to children with allergies. After 2-3 days from the beginning of their admission symptoms weaken, and after 4-5 days disappear at all. Antihistamines quickly reduce the swelling of the mucous membranes. Modern medications do not have a large list of contraindications and do not cause drowsiness. Vasoconstrictive drugs in the form of drops and aerosols can quickly restore nasal breathing. Remember that the duration of application of such drops should not exceed 3-5 days. Preparations based on sodium cromoglycate and local action steroids also prescribe small allergies. The allergist will select the most suitable drugs for the child.
Children's room is bright. The room of a small allergic person is different from a normal child's room. Because the accumulation of dust crumbs is strictly contraindicated. Choose a wooden crib (made of pine or alder) with a removable mattress. The cover must be easily removed - you will often have to wash it. Buy polushki with a special anti-allergenic fiber or with silicone filler.
All bed, including a blanket and pillows, wash at a temperature of not less than 60 C. This must be done every 6-8 weeks, then the house dust mites do not have time to multiply. Thoroughly rinse things several times. Do not starch linen.
Heavy curtains replace cotton. Remember that horsehair is a strong allergen, it is often used for furniture upholstery. Therefore, remove the ottomans from the baby's room. Also erase the plush toys once a month. Instead of soft animals buy the child more developmental games, cubes, designers, puzzles.
Children should be bright, clean and constantly to be ventilated. After all, in a stuffy room, a lot of mites are collected, and in damp - microscopic spiders. Are you afraid that you will miss a crumb? Ventilate the room in his absence. Use air purifiers. Their filters do not change the humidity and temperature. They only purify the air of dust, and therefore, of allergens. Try all means to eliminate the risk factors for the development of allergies in children. Let the baby be healthy all year round!