Allergies in an infant

Allergy in infants is, unfortunately, a common occurrence and every fourth baby out of ten suffers from it. The immune system of a newborn is just beginning to form its protective functions and does not always correctly recognize and differentiate the invasion of foreign and unfamiliar antigens. As a rule, babies under one year old have an allergy to milk protein, and cases have become increasingly common when an allergy in an infant develops to mother's milk.

An allergic reaction can occur quite quickly, but delayed reactions of the slow type are not uncommon.

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What causes allergies in infants?

Experienced pediatricians believe that one of the common causes of allergies in newborns is unreasonable feeding, or simply overfeeding the baby. The child's gastrointestinal tract is simply unable to cope with the breakdown of such a quantity of protein, and the child's body begins to perceive it as foreign 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 a violation of the diet and abuse of allergy-provoking products by the mother, both before pregnancy, during it, and during breastfeeding. Thus, if the mother overdoes it with the consumption of chocolate during pregnancy, most likely the child is born allergic. The same applies to the entire period when the baby is fed with mother's milk. Any product capable of provoking an allergic reaction, getting into the mother's body, attacks the child's body. Even if the mother does not show signs of allergy, the baby receives a shock dose of those substances that his gastrointestinal tract cannot cope with, given the load of breaking down milk protein.

How does allergy manifest itself in a baby?

Allergy in a baby manifests itself in the form of rashes, reddening of the cheeks, and allergic enteritis may develop. A rash on the cheeks is usually called diathesis, although this definition is not entirely correct and proper. If diathesis has an allergic etiology, it has its own 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 diathesis is not stopped in time and its development is not stopped, it can result in neurodermatitis and even psoriasis. And these are already serious dermatological problems. Allergic diathesis is mainly a consequence of food allergies, either in the mother (the child is provoked through breast milk), or directly in the child due to artificial feeding. Often, manifestations of diathesis persist in a child up to 1-1.5 years, and then disappear. The gradually developing immune and digestive systems of the child improve their protective and adaptive mechanisms and learn to cope with allergens. Of course, all this is possible provided that the diet and all recommendations of the pediatrician are followed. Diathesis can also be a consequence of external factors - household dust, pet hair, chemicals. The development of such diathesis is not very different from the food form, moreover, diathesis can be cross-linked and in the future is fraught with chronic allergies at an older age.

There is still no consensus on the specific causes of allergic diathesis, but among the clarified and confirmed factors, the following can be named:

• Violation of dietary rules by the mother both during pregnancy and while breastfeeding;
• Violation of the feeding regimen during 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, fluff;
• Drug therapy of the mother during pregnancy or breastfeeding.

The list of allergens, in addition to food products and milk protein, can include bed linen made of synthetic materials, feather pillows, wool blankets, tobacco smoke and perfumes, hygiene products and household chemicals with fragrances, and synthetic detergents.

Allergy in a baby. Typical symptoms.

• Frequent regurgitation, vomiting;
• Bowel disorder, stool of atypical consistency;
• Swelling of the lips and eyes;
• Conjunctivitis and runny nose that are not controlled by prescribed cold medications;
• Skin rashes, especially on the cheeks;
• General lethargy of the child.

How to treat allergies in infants?

Allergies in infants are treated strictly under the supervision of a doctor and only on his recommendations. Independent experiments, actions on the advice of relatives and friends are unacceptable. As a rule, diet therapy is prescribed first. The causes are identified (allergy to CMP - cow's milk protein, dust, chemicals, heredity or allergy to breast milk) and, if possible, completely. The allergen or contact with it is neutralized. To normalize the functioning of the child's digestive tract, sorbents are prescribed that can absorb and remove toxins from the baby's body as much as possible, as well as eubiotics (lacto and bifidobacteria). If the disease is acute or in an advanced stage, gentle antihistamines can be prescribed. In addition, routine vaccinations should not be neglected, since they contribute to the formation of an allergic constitution and the protective function of the immune system.

The most effective treatment, as we know, is prevention. In this sense, the most suitable means of preventing allergies for infants is breastfeeding, at least until six months. During the period of breastfeeding, a mother must follow a certain diet and be responsible in choosing a food set and menu. In the case of artificial feeding, the mixture is carefully selected taking into account anamnestic information and possible allergic risks.

Allergies in infants are a common occurrence, but not inevitable. If measures are taken in a timely manner and the pregnant woman monitors her health, including nutrition, allergic reactions in the baby can be avoided.