Allergies in the child - "treat" or "cure"?

The relevance of the theme "allergies in the child" is indicated not only by the abundance of information materials, but also by the stability of certain myths and misconceptions. Yes Yes! Despite of thousands of articles devoted to the problem of allergy, many people remain faithful to their beliefs for years, which do not correspond to reality. Let's see if we are also supporters of erroneous judgments?

Myth 1: Child's allergy is a consequence of parents' mistakes

On the relationship of nutrition with allergies, many true words are said. Today many people know that the future mother of the diet errors can be linked with a tendency to diathesis baby, and the baby the wrong menu, which now and then "bloom" cheeks, can provoke an allergic reaction present ⁷. Know the modern parents and the tenderness of children's skin, care for which does not involve the use of "adult" hygiene products, and that "cleanliness is the guarantee of health ..." and much more.

However, such a shaft of thematic information has a downside. To many of its consumers, it seems logical that the children of parents who carefully follow the principles of hypoallergenic nutrition, vigilantly supporting the hygiene of the body and home, and generally performing useful recommendations, should not suffer from allergies.

But this is an erroneous opinion! Allergy sufferers often appear in families that diligently observe all the rules of allergic safety. Simply because the list of allergens is so wide that it is impossible to avoid meeting with a potential source of problems.

Therefore, by the way, parents who are convinced that in their family the contact of the kid with food and household allergens is minimized, it is recommended not to take offense at acquaintances (or a doctor) for "unfair suspicions", but concentrate on the important - ie. On clarifying the events preceding the appearance of anxiety symptoms in the child.

Myth 2: Child's allergy is the first thing a rash

The rash in infants really occurs more often than in adults8. It is also true that the rash, itching and redness of the skin are symptoms of such an allergy manifestation as urticaria ³.

But not all rashes are a sign of hives! A skin rash in children can be a manifestation of more than a hundred! Various diseases. ¹⁴ The causes of rash in children can be not only allergic reactions, but also infectious and parasitic diseases, diseases of blood and blood vessels, and lack of proper hygiene ^9-10. Therefore, to determine the cause of the rash in a child, it is best to consult a doctor.

Myth 3: Child's allergy is a sign of weakened immunity

This is not true. Since the allergy is an increased sensitivity to substances to which most people are indifferent, it should rather be considered a sign of the characteristics of the immune system ¹¹.

By the way, it is for this reason that more and more doctors come to the conclusion that the appointment of funds "for immunity" should be approached very, very carefully. Especially, if the child now and then there are symptoms of ARVI ¹¹.

Myth 4: Allergies in a child are most safely treated with "good old remedies"

The postulate "medicines is a continuous chemistry," to refute stupidly. At least because even ordinary water is a chemical compound with the formula H2O! But to agree with the widely held opinion that drug compounds that existed in the pharmaceutical market for several decades are safer than modern means, it does not matter.

Take, for example, antihistamines, without the reception of which can not do, probably, no allergic.

One of the oldest representatives of this group is mebhydroline . ¹³ This "patriarch" is now allowed to use in children from 3 years old, provided they have no inflammatory diseases of the gastrointestinal tract and strictly follow the recommendations for dosing (possibly psychomotor agitation). Appointed up to 3 times a day. ¹⁵

At the same time, one of the most modern antihistamines - desloratadine - can be prescribed to children from 6 months ¹. "Contraindications limiting the range of potential patients (with the exception of individual sensitivity to desloratadine or individual components of the drug), this medication does not. The conclusions suggest themselves ...

Myth 5: Treatment for allergies is only in taking antihistamines

This is not so, although antihistamines really occupy an important place in the elimination of allergy symptoms. After the task of these means - block the receptors sensitive to the effects of histamine as one of the most active substances involved in allergic inflammation ¹².

Nevertheless, the benefit of taking the drug, which "turns off" only the histamine component of an allergic reaction, may be inferior in effectiveness from the use of the drug with additional anti-allergic and anti-inflammatory properties. That is why, having such characteristics, desloratadine is actively prescribed for the removal of symptoms associated with allergic rhinitis (sneezing, rhinorrhea, pruritus, mucosal edema and nasal congestion, itching in the eyes, lacrimation and hyperemia of the conjunctiva, itching in the palate and cough) and hives (itching, redness, rash) ^3-6.

The key to success in the treatment of allergies is the elimination of its causes, i.e. Elimination of hypersensitivity to the allergen. But this is strictly individual and rather complex therapy (allergen-specific immunotherapy - ASIT), so the decision on its appropriateness can only be taken by an experienced allergist on the basis of laboratory data obtained during the examination.

Bibliography

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7. Greer, FR, Sicherer, SH, Burks, WA, and the Committee on Nutrition and Section on Allergy and Immunology. (2008). Effects of Early Nutritional Interventions on the Development of Atopic Disease in Infants and Children: The Role of Maternal Dietary Restriction, Breastfeeding, Timing of Introduction of Complementary Foods, and Hydrolyzed Formulas. Pediatrics. 121 (1), 183-91.
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13. Franks HM, Lawrie M, Schabinsky VV, Starmer GA, Teo RK. Interaction between ethanol and antihistamines The Medical Journal of Australia. - 1981. - T. 2. - No. 9. - P. 477-479. 14. Color Atlas & Synopsis Of Pediatric Dermatology, Kay Shu-Mei Kane, Alexander J. Stratigos, Peter A. Lio, R. Johnson, Panfilov Publishing House, Binom. Laboratory of knowledge; 2011. 15. Smirnova G.I. Antihistamines in the treatment of allergic diseases in children. - M, 2004. - 64 p.