Allergic dermatitis in infants, diathesis, childhood eczema … As soon as they do not call an allergic reaction in the form of skin rashes in infants. This disease of an allergic nature is a fairly common phenomenon not only in infants, but also in older children. If you do not promptly consult a doctor for effective treatment, the disease can develop into a chronic form. Consider why allergic dermatitis appears in infants, what forms of the disease exist and how to treat.
Reasons
In recent years, the number of people who literally suffer from allergies has increased significantly. The body's response to external stimuli becomes alarming. Allergic dermatitis often occurs in breastfed babies. Many parents just don't know how totreat. By itself, the disease will not go away. Careful diagnosis and effective therapy are needed.
Causes of allergic form of dermatitis:
- digestion as a result of gastrointestinal diseases;
- dysbacteriosis;
- malnutrition (introduction of complementary foods at an early stage, inclusion in the diet of citrus fruits, nuts, honey, fish, fatty pork, seafood);
- when using low quality baby cosmetics and hygiene products (shampoos, soaps, creams, ointments);
- synthetic clothes with dyes on the fabrics worn by the baby;
- taking certain medications;
- infection of bacterial origin;
- reaction to such chemically active substances as acid and alkali;
- exposure to radiation, temperature change;
- household dust;
- plant pollen;
- wool and excretions of pets.
Allergic dermatitis in infants can occur even when overeating or due to digestive problems. It is difficult for the child's intestines to digest the entire amount of food consumed. If you reduce the load on the gastrointestinal tract, then the symptoms will disappear. The allergic form of dermatitis is most susceptible to babies who have a hereditary predisposition.
Why is the baby's body susceptible to an allergic reaction? The fact is that a restructuring takes place in the body of a newborn. This process affects many systems, including the immune system. Every day, the baby's body is faced with a hugethe amount of allergens. Since the immune system is still immature, an incorrect immune response to an external stimulus is formed. As a result, an allergic reaction on the child's body.
There are three ways the allergen enters the baby's body:
- With food and drink (if food allergy).
- In direct skin contact with the allergen (household chemicals, synthetic clothing).
- Via inhalation of an irritant (allergy to dust, houseplants, pollen).
The specific allergen can be identified by the reaction on the skin. If an allergic dermatitis occurs in a baby after eating a certain product, then it is called food. This is the most common cause of allergic dermatitis. Other forms of the disease are referred to as non-food dermatitis.
Doctors identify several causes of allergic dermatitis provoked by food:
- with artificial feeding;
- in violation of the diet;
- when introducing into the diet allergenic foods (eggs, fish, citrus fruits, milk, red berries, vegetables, strawberries, raspberries and chocolate);
- with early feeding.
New baby foods should be introduced gradually. The digestive system should get stronger.
Risk factors
In the list of risk factors that provoke the appearance of allergic dermatitis, there are certain diseases. List of pathological conditions of infants:
- immunodeficiencies of various etiologies;
- physiological immaturity of the baby's immunity (reducedimmune system mainly in premature babies and those with congenital diseases, as well as those who are bottle-fed);
- dysbacteriosis;
- indigestion due to lack of pancreatic enzyme production;
- diseases of the gastrointestinal tract;
- hereditary predisposition to allergic diseases.
Babies on early complementary foods (up to 4 months of age) are also at risk. Smoking by parents in the room where the child is, insufficient care for the skin of the baby, unsanitary conditions and inappropriate temperature in the room. All these factors affect the child's condition and can cause an allergic reaction.
Symptoms
Symptomatic signs are manifested not only in the form of rashes on the skin, but also in the defeat of body systems. In particular, the digestive and respiratory systems are affected.
The main symptoms of allergic dermatitis in a baby:
- Hyperemia of the skin. Allergic dermatitis in a child is often localized on the leg. This affects the folds (on the hands as well), elbow and knee folds. On the face, allergic dermatitis in infants manifests itself, spreading to the neck, back and even to the ass.
- Inflamed areas look like pimples, small bubbles.
- Affected skin is dry, flaky.
- A crust forms on the baby's head (see below for a photo of allergic dermatitis in a baby).
- Itching of the affected skin.
- Swelling of the mucous membrane of the eye, oral and nasal cavities. These processes are clinicallymanifest as allergic rhinitis, conjunctivitis and bronchial asthma. The most dangerous phenomenon is Quincke's edema. In this case, immediate hospitalization of the baby will be required.
- The functioning of the digestive organs worsens: diarrhea, constipation, regurgitation, stool color changes.
- The child's well-being is disturbed: it becomes capricious, appetite worsens and sleep is disturbed.
If you do not seek medical help in a timely manner, purulent complications may develop. Such a dangerous phenomenon is fraught with a secondary infection.
Localization
Allergic dermatitis is accompanied by severe itching. Red spots appear on the cheeks, legs, arms. If the allergen reaction is strong, then the areas of the abdomen and back are affected. Weeping ulcers may form on the affected area of the skin.
Consider the typical localization of the disease:
On the face: diathesis is accompanied by cough, nasal congestion and watery eyes. Rashes on the skin of the face are often provoked by fruits, vegetables, flavors and dyes. Symptoms of an allergic reaction appear quickly enough - within 30 minutes
On the hands: this is a common place for localization of diathesis. In direct contact with the allergen (household chemicals, cosmetics), redness appears on the back of the child's palms. The skin becomes dry and tight. Itching and peeling occurs. Often, an allergy on the hands appears after an insect bite. Severe itching forces the child to constantly scratch the affected area. This greatly aggravates the condition. Sample photoallergic dermatitis in infants below
- On the hands, allergic dermatitis can appear after drinking sweets, coffee, cocoa, and certain drugs. Even a change in the weather affects the he alth of the child. Wind, frost cause redness, swelling and severe itching on the hands. Therefore, it is necessary to use a special hand cream for the baby, wear warm gloves in cold, frosty weather.
- On the legs, allergic dermatitis in children (photo below) is localized in the main lesions - the thighs, calves, shins and knees.
- Often, allergies appear on the feet. Pimples of various shapes, pustules are formed. At the same time, the inflamed areas of the skin swell.
- Allergic dermatitis on the pope in a child manifests itself in the diaper form of the disease. A common cause is poor hygiene.
- Allergic dermatitis on the head of a child is clinically manifested in the form of scaly crusts.
The last type of dermatitis usually manifests itself in the seborrheic form, which will be discussed in more detail below.
Forms of dermatitis
The clinical picture, depending on the etiological factor, may be different. Doctors divide dermatitis into the following forms:
- Seborrheic type of allergic dermatitis. Yellow and light brown crusts form on the child's head. The affected area of the skin is very flaky. Usually inflamed hairpart of the head. If the form of the disease is in an acute form, then crusts appear on the face, neck, chest, ears. This form of allergic dermatitis can be cured. Often the symptoms go away on their own, without the intervention of a doctor.
- Diaper allergic dermatitis. This form of the disease manifests itself in the form of diaper rash on the skin folds. Most often, the skin on the buttocks and in the perineum is affected. If you do not follow the rules of hygiene, then the baby's condition may worsen.
- Atopic form of allergic dermatitis. This form of the disease is associated with seasonal exacerbation. Rashes appear in the off-season. Remission usually occurs in summer and winter. The provocateurs of this form of dermatitis are food allergens and hereditary predisposition.
Over the years, the baby can outgrow this disease. However, there are cases when atopic dermatitis is supplemented by other allergens. Over time, an adult child may become allergic to pollen, pet dander, dust, and other substances.
How the disease progresses: stages
During the diagnosis, the doctor determines the stage of the disease of a small patient. There are four stages of the allergic form of dermatitis:
- Initial is manifested by swelling of the skin, peeling and hyperemia. If treatment is not taken in time, another stage may gradually develop.
- Severe occurs in acute and chronic forms. Characteristic rashes eventually transform into crusts and scales.
- The stage of remission is characterized by a decrease and disappearance of unpleasant symptomsdiseases. Remission can last for several weeks, and sometimes for years.
- Clinical recovery: at this stage, signs of dermatitis disappear completely for several years.
Timely treatment of dermatitis brings the stage of remission and clinical recovery closer.
Diagnosis
Before prescribing effective therapy, the doctor must identify the nature and localization of the exacerbation. Diagnosis includes the following laboratory tests:
- blood and urine test;
- immunological and serological analysis;
- tissue analysis for histology;
- biopsy;
- deciphering tests for allergens.
Based on the results of the tests, the doctor will be able to determine the cause of the development of allergic dermatitis in the baby. After that, specific therapy is prescribed. Subject to medical recommendations, it can be assumed that the onset of remission.
Therapy
In case of allergic dermatitis in infants, treatment should be immediate. The main thing is to eliminate the cause of the disease. Therapy should be comprehensive.
Doctors recommend the use of such drugs from pharmacological groups:
Antihistamines, which are aimed at reducing itching, hyperemia and swelling of the child's skin. Will cure allergic dermatitis in a baby "Fenistil", "Zodak", "Suprastin" in the form of gels, ointments or tablets
- Immunomodulators, vitamin and mineral complex are recommended to be used to normalize immunity and restoremetabolic processes in the body.
- Enterosorbents: "Smekta", "Laktofiltrum", "Polysorb". These drugs are prescribed to remove toxins, allergens and toxic metabolic products from the body.
- enzymes to restore digestion.
- Pre- and probiotics to normalize the composition of the microflora of the gastrointestinal tract.
- Ointments that accelerate the regeneration of the skin: Sudocrem, Radevit, Depanthenol.
- Glucocorticoids in the form of an ointment: "Advantan", "Elocom", "Fucicort". Babies - strictly as prescribed by the doctor.
- Antiseptics and antifungals as prevention and treatment of secondary infection or in case of complications.
Dermatologist (if symptoms are mild) and allergist (if food allergy) recommended.
Physiotherapy
If the baby has allergic dermatitis, treatment may include physical therapy. This method is applied to those babies who are in stationary conditions. The most effective physiotherapy: laser therapy, electrosleep, hydrotherapy, mud therapy, reflexology, ultraviolet irradiation, PUVA therapy.
Treat at home
If the baby's mother knows which allergen provokes rashes, then it is necessary to protect the child from contact with him. If a certain food product causes an allergy, then it must be removed from the baby's diet.
Often, an allergy in a child occurs due to exposure to an external stimulus. The main task of the mother is to maintain cleanliness in the house and a certain temperature, air humidity. Fromcarpets and feather pillows are best disposed of. And give pets to good friends.
How to treat allergic dermatitis in infants? A baby under one year old should be transferred to a hypoallergenic diet. Doctors recommend using sparing antihistamines during treatment, which are prescribed from birth. For example, gel and drops "Fenistil". And from six months you can use Zyrtec drops.
Folk remedies
Traditional medicine for allergic dermatitis is practically ineffective. However, it's worth a try. To prepare herbal decoction, you will need the following ingredients:
- 3 tbsp. l. dried chopped plants (suitable string, periwinkle, celandine, hops);
- 1 l boiling water.
Grass must be poured with hot water and let it brew for 4 hours. This decoction should be used to lubricate the inflamed skin areas or make lotions.
Mom's Diet
It is necessary to remove allergenic foods from the diet of not only the baby, but also the mother. So, it is necessary to limit yourself in the use of flour, sweet and s alty. You should not feast on honey, nuts, citrus fruits, strawberries, chocolate and spices. An allergy provocateur can be semolina or oatmeal, as well as those products that contain gluten.
The first food should be zucchini or cauliflower. After that, you can add dairy-free cereals. When the child is 8 months old, you can introduce him to turkey or rabbit meat.
Prevention
Doctors noted: children,who are breastfed, are less likely to experience allergies. Therefore, mom needs to follow a diet and not deviate from the rules for the introduction of complementary foods.
As soon as the baby's parents noticed dermatitis on his body, you should immediately see a doctor. If the disease is detected in time and treated, then the painful itching and redness can soon be forgotten.
As a preventive measure, be sure to ventilate the room, observe the temperature regime in the baby's room. It should be from 18 to 20 degrees, and the air humidity should not be less than 60%.
Forget about smoking in the same room with your baby. Daily hygiene procedures, the use of only high-quality natural hygiene products, changing bed linen and underwear for the baby will help protect the child from the onset of the "enemy" - dermatitis.
