Allergy in an infant

An allergy in an infant is, unfortunately, a frequent occurrence, and every fourth child in ten suffers from it. The immune system of the newborn only begins to form its protective functions and does not always intelligently recognize and differentiate the invasion of alien and unfamiliar antigens. As a rule, in children up to a year the allergy is on milk protein, more and more often there are cases when the allergy in an infant develops into mother's milk.

An allergic reaction may occur quite quickly, but often a delayed reaction is of a delayed type.

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What causes an allergy in an infant?

One of the most common causes of allergies in newborns, experienced pediatricians consider unreasonable feeding, and simply overfeeding the baby. The gastrointestinal tract of a child simply can not cope with the splitting of so much protein and the child's body begins to perceive it as alien and harmful. The second reason is an allergy to the food itself. This reason, in turn, is explained ambiguously. One of the versions put forward by doctors is the violation of diet and the abuse of allergic-provoking products from the mother's side, both before and during pregnancy, and during breastfeeding. Thus, if the mother during the child's birth overdid with the absorption of chocolate, most likely the child is born with allergies. The same applies to the entire time period when the baby is fed breast milk. Any product that can provoke an allergic reaction, getting into the mother's body, also attacks the baby's body. Even if the mother does not have any signs of an allergy, the baby gets a shock dose of those substances with which his gastrointestinal tract can not cope, given the load of disengaging the milk protein.

How does an allergy in an infant develop?

The allergy in the infant is manifested in the form of rashes, redness of the cheeks, allergic arteritis may develop. Rash on the cheeks is usually called diathesis, although this definition is not entirely correct and correct. If the diathesis has an allergic etiology, it has its clinical signs. Moreover, diathesis is not a disease, it is a constitutional anomaly, that is, a predisposition to inflammatory processes of an allergic nature. If the diathesis is not timely to stop and do not stop its development, it can lead to neurodermatitis and even psoriasis. And this is a serious dermatological problem. Allergic diathesis is mainly a consequence of food allergy, either from the mother (the baby is provoked through breast milk), or directly from the child due to its artificial feeding. Often the manifestations of diathesis persist in a child up to 1-1,5 years, and then disappear. Gradually forming immune and digestive systems of the child improve their protective and adaptive mechanisms and are trained to cope with allergens. Of course, all this is possible, provided that the food regime and all pediatrician recommendations are followed. Also, diathesis can be a consequence of external factors - household dust, pet hair, chemical drugs. The development of such diathesis is not too different from the food form, moreover, the diathesis can be crossed and in the future is fraught with chronic allergies at an older age.

Until now, there is no consensus on the specific causes of allergic diathesis, but among the refined and confirmed factors can be called such: 

• Violation of the rules of the dietary regime on the part of the mother both during pregnancy and during the feeding of the infant; 
• Dysfunction of diet under artificial feeding, incorrect choice of mixtures; 
• Toxicosis in the first and second trimester of pregnancy; 
• Hereditary factor (one or both parents); 
• Adverse effects of external factors - dust, wool, down; 
• Medication of the mother during pregnancy or during lactation.

In the list of allergens, in addition to food and milk protein, you can include bed linen made of synthetic materials, feather pillows, woolen blankets, tobacco smoke and perfumes, hygiene and household chemicals with flavors, synthetic detergents.

Allergy in an infant. Typical symptoms. 

• Frequent regurgitation, vomiting; 
• Stool disorder, atypical in stool consistency; 
• Edema of the lips and eyes; 
• Conjunctivitis and runny nose, not supervised by prescribed anti-cold medications; 
• Skin rashes, especially on the cheeks; 
• General sluggish state of the child.

How is an allergy treated in an infant?

Allergy in an infant is treated strictly under the supervision of a doctor and only on his recommendations. It is not allowed to conduct independent experiments, actions on the advice of relatives and friends. As a rule, first of all, diet therapy is prescribed. The causes are identified (allergy to KMB - cow milk protein, dust, chemical, heredity or allergy to breast milk) and, if possible, completely. Neutralizes the allergen or contact with it. For the normalization of the digestive tract of the child, sorbents are prepared that can absorb and maximally remove toxins from the baby's body, as well as eubiotics (lacto and bifidobacteria). If the disease is acute or is in a neglected stage, gentle antihistamines may be prescribed. In addition, routine vaccination should not be neglected, as it promotes the formation of an allergic constitution and the protective function of the immune system.

The most effective treatment is prevention. In this sense, for babies, the most suitable means of preventing allergies is breastfeeding, at least up to six months. Mom in the period of breastfeeding should comply with a certain diet and responsibly treat the choice of food set and menu. In the case of artificial feeding the mixture is selected carefully taking into account anamnestic information and possible allergic risks.

Allergy in an infant is a phenomenon although frequent, but not inevitable. If the measures are taken in a timely manner and the pregnant woman will monitor her health, including nutrition, allergic reactions in the baby can be avoided.