Allergy creams for children

Statistics show that small children are more susceptible to allergies than adults. This is due to the imperfection of the immune and other systems of the small organism, so the child may suffer from increased sensitivity not only to food and other products, but also to hygiene products, medications and even to mosquito bites and other insects. Allergy symptoms mainly appear externally - on the skin, in the form of rashes, redness and peeling. For this reason, allergy cream for children is most often purchased in pharmacies: external preparations act directly on the skin, eliminating unpleasant allergic symptoms.

[ 1 ]

Indications allergy creams for children

An allergic reaction always begins to develop in response to the penetration of a foreign substance into the body, regardless of how this agent entered the bloodstream. Usually, in case of allergies, the doctor prescribes drugs that are taken orally - these are medications with an antihistamine effect that reduce the allergic disposition of the body. If there are also manifestations of hypersensitivity on the skin (rash, redness, itchy flaky areas), then you cannot do without using an external drug.

Allergies in childhood can be caused by:

• incorrect food preferences of the mother (if the baby is breastfed);
• certain foods that the child consumes;
• animal hair;
• pollen and plant fluff;
• medications, vitamin preparations;
• house dust;
• exposure to cold or sunlight;
• helminths;
• bites of various insects.

If the baby's parents or other immediate relatives have an allergy to something, then the likelihood of the child developing an allergy increases by almost half.

[ 2 ]

Release form

There are two types of allergy creams for children:

1. hormonal external preparations;
2. creams that do not contain hormones.

• Non-hormonal cream can be used to eliminate allergies even in infants: such cream soothes inflammation well and has a minimum number of contraindications and side effects.

1. Fenistil gel is a soft remedy that eliminates irritation and soothes itching. The gel can be used for sun allergies, mosquito bites, and urticaria. Fenistil is indicated for use in children from the first month of life, but in the presence of inflammation and hemorrhages, this drug is contraindicated.
2. Skin-Cap is a series of products that will help not only with allergies, but also with fungal or microbial skin lesions. Skin-Cap is suitable for use in children from 1 year old, as it extremely rarely provokes the onset of allergies.
3. Bepanten is a well-known cream that is irreplaceable in childhood, starting from the very birth of the baby. The drug heals irritated skin, softens and moisturizes it. In rare cases, the cream may not be suitable: this happens with individual poor tolerance to Bepanten.
4. Elidel is an anti-inflammatory cream that can be used in children from 3 months of age. The drug is used with caution, as it sometimes causes folliculitis and skin irritation.
5. Gistan is a biologically active cream on a plant basis, with additional ingredients betulin and dimecon. Gistan copes well with inflammation and allergies, treats neurodermatitis, diathesis, but only in the absence of individual hypersensitivity to the drug.
6. Vundehil is a herbal remedy with antimicrobial, restorative and anti-inflammatory properties, which makes the drug popular for the treatment of allergic dermatitis. It can even be used in infants. There are practically no restrictions on the use of the drug, with the exception of the body's tendency to allergies to the components of this drug.
7. La-Cree is a herbal cream that eliminates signs of skin allergies, inflammation, and itching. The active ingredients of La-Cree are panthenol and bisabolol, substances that improve skin reparation and reduce painful manifestations of allergies.
8. Desitin is a cream based on lanolin and petroleum jelly, zinc oxide and cod oil. Due to the action of Desitin, the course of the inflammatory reaction is alleviated, irritated skin is healed, and the spread of rashes is restrained.
9. Mustela (Stelatopia) is a cream of the famous children's brand Mustela, intended for use in infants from the moment of their birth. The cream has a very light and delicate consistency, as well as a high-quality composition.

In addition to the above-mentioned non-hormonal drugs, for allergies in children, you can use zinc ointment, Sulfargin or Dioxidine - external agents with antimicrobial and drying properties.

• Hormonal cream for allergies for children can be useful in a situation where regular non-hormonal creams do not have the expected effect.

Hormonal cream is usually effective against allergies, but due to possible side effects, it is advisable to resort to such treatment only in emergency cases.

1. Elokom is an external hormonal drug with minimized penetration into the systemic circulation. It can be used to treat children from 2 years of age, but the course of therapy should not be long - no more than 5-7 days. In addition, the drug cannot be used on large areas of skin.
2. Advantan is a hormonal ointment approved for use from the age of six months. The drug inhibits allergic and inflammatory phenomena, removes irritation and pain. Like any hormonal ointment, Advantan is not suitable for prolonged and uncontrolled use.

The doctor may also prescribe other creams with hormones, such as Lorinden A, Fluorocort, Flucinar, etc. However, the listed creams belong to the first generation of drugs and have a large number of contraindications and side effects, so they are not recommended for use in the treatment of allergies in children.

[ 3 ]

Anti-allergy creams for children under one year

If the baby is under 1 year old, you should be especially careful when choosing an allergy cream for him. In no case should you treat the baby yourself, even if you think the remedy is proven and safe.

The child's body in infancy is still too vulnerable and sensitive, both in relation to allergens and to allergy medications. Therefore, before choosing a cream, it is better to consult a pediatrician or pediatric allergist.

It is almost impossible to determine the source of the allergy on your own, it is difficult to correctly establish the dosage of the drug and prescribe a treatment regimen. Moreover, many drugs, including those for external use, are contraindicated for children under one year of age or cause various adverse side effects.

In order to protect the child from negative consequences and not to seek medical help later to eliminate complications after self-medication, antiallergic drugs should not be used without qualified medical advice.

[ 4 ]

Pharmacodynamics

First of all, anti-allergy creams for children should have the following properties:

• reduce the manifestations of the inflammatory reaction;
• eliminate itching, dryness, redness, flaking;
• prevent the progression of the allergic process.

Allergy creams should not contain substances that could trigger the development of a new allergic reaction, that is, they should be hypoallergenic.

Allergy cream for children has mainly a local effect, restoring the superficial tissues of the skin. For a systemic effect, antihistamines in capsules or tablets should be taken separately.

[ 5 ], [ 6 ], [ 7 ]

Pharmacokinetics

Allergy creams do not have a systemic effect and practically do not enter the general circulatory system. For this reason, it is not possible to trace the kinetic properties of such products.

[ 8 ], [ 9 ]

Dosing and administration

Allergy cream for children is usually applied to the outer skin in places where allergic rashes appear. Frequency of application is 2-3 times a day.

Hormonal creams are applied up to 3 times a day during the first day, and then, after the acute period of allergy has been relieved, they are applied 1-2 times a day. Treatment with hormonal creams should not last more than 2 weeks in a row (if the cream is applied to the face, then no more than 1 week).

It is advisable to apply the cream gently, without rubbing it into the sensitive baby skin. Also, do not apply anti-allergic creams for children under the bandage.

Before using any allergy cream for children, you should carefully read the instructions and make sure that the drug can be prescribed to a child of the appropriate age.

[ 15 ], [ 16 ], [ 17 ]

Contraindications

As a rule, non-hormonal anti-allergy creams are not prescribed in the following cases:

• for dermatological infectious diseases (viral, microbial, fungal infections);
• in case of tuberculosis and syphilis;
• if there is an increased risk of an allergic reaction to the components of the cream.

Hormonal creams are not prescribed:

• for pyoderma, chickenpox, herpes;
• for actinomycosis, sporotrichosis, psoriasis;
• for open wounds in places where allergy ointment may be applied;
• for diaper and perioral dermatitis;
• for benign and malignant skin tumors.

In addition, hormone-based allergy creams should not be used immediately after vaccination.

[ 10 ], [ 11 ], [ 12 ], [ 13 ]

Side effects allergy creams for children

With prolonged use of hormonal creams for allergies, skin atrophy may develop - thinning and dryness of the skin, deterioration of blood supply. When applying a large amount of hormonal cream for allergies in children, the synthesis of the body's own corticosteroids may be disrupted.

When using non-hormonal anti-allergy creams, dryness and burning of the skin may occur, and occasionally skin rashes may occur, which indicates that the child’s body is intolerant to one of the components of the drug.

If any side effects occur in a child, it is necessary to inform the local pediatrician.

[ 14 ]

Overdose

Overdose of hormonal creams can manifest itself as:

• increased side effects;
• swelling of the skin;
• skin atrophy.

Overdose with safe non-hormonal creams is considered unlikely, as such cases have not yet been registered.

If there is any suspicion of excessive use of an allergy cream, you should show the child to a doctor, indicating which specific product was used.

[ 18 ], [ 19 ], [ 20 ]

Interactions with other drugs

Non-hormonal allergy creams are considered to be well compatible with other external and internal medications, however, before any combination of medications, it is recommended to first consult a doctor.

Treatment with glucocorticosteroid creams is not recommended to be combined with vaccinations, as this may affect the adequacy of the body's immunological response in the form of the production of certain antibodies.

Combined treatment with hormonal creams and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs may lead to an increased risk of side effects, including systemic ones.

Hormonal drugs can inhibit the action of immunostimulants and enhance the action of immunosuppressants.

[ 21 ]

Storage conditions

As a rule, most common allergy creams can be stored at room temperature; it is not at all necessary to store such preparations in the refrigerator.

It is important that children's access to the place where medicines are stored is blocked. Older children should be explained that medicines can be dangerous if used incorrectly and not as intended, so they should not touch medicines without permission from adults.

[ 22 ]

Shelf life

The shelf life of most external allergy medications, regardless of their composition, is up to 3 years. For more precise information on shelf life and production date, read the instructions and packaging for a specific medication.

Allergy cream for children is usually sold in any pharmacy without a prescription. But this does not mean that the child can be treated independently: if the baby has an allergy, it is necessary to consult a doctor.

[ 23 ]