The inborn or hereditary ability of our body to react to ordinary things that most do not react to is called an allergy. Most often it occurs in those people who have a predisposition to it. She can manifest herself at absolutely any age, including an allergy in an infant.
What are allergens?
First of all, it is necessary to clarify that allergens are foreign proteins. They enter the body in three ways:
- Through the gastrointestinal tract with food - food allergens.
- With direct contact - contact.
- With air - inhaled allergens.
Quite often these paths can intersect and combine. An example would be the contact of a child with saliva and dog hair. So, the baby is in contact with wool and inhales small particles of its saliva with air. However, allergies in infants are more often associated with the food component. However, after four years, for the most part, children cease to be so strongly susceptible to it. But studies show that the likelihoodincreased reactions to contact and inhaled allergens.
What is the treatment for allergies
If a baby has a food allergy, the approach to this problem should be comprehensive.
Diet therapy
Most importantly, keep breastfeeding as long as possible. In this case, contact with any significant allergens should be avoided. This, in turn, will allow the immune system to work normally. Therefore, for such nutrition, products are used that have a minimum of allergens or do not contain them at all. If the baby for some reason eats infant formula, then the diet should be strict.
Allergy in an infant. Diets for Mom
If the baby is breastfed, then the mother will have to follow a hypoallergenic diet herself. Its main idea is the exclusion of various allergic products from the nutrition of a nursing woman. These include milk and nuts, seafood and chocolate. Next Category
foods that mom will have to do without - food containing a large amount of purine bases and extractives. For example, garlic, onion, radish, radish, seasonings, rich meat, mushroom, fish broths. You will also have to limit the consumption of cereals, pasta, bread and sugar. An allergy in an infant should not manifest itself if the mother eats fermented milk products, vegetables and fruits (low allergenic), vegetarian soups, tea, compote, breadsecond class.
Introduction of complementary foods to a child with allergies
It is worth knowing that complementary foods should be introduced only against the background of relative well-being in terms of he alth. If the diagnosis has already been made, then it should be administered against the background of remission. As well as he althy babies, the inclusion of additional food in the diet before six months is impractical. If an allergy is present in children in the first year of life, then the first complementary foods should be vegetable puree, consisting of a green or white vegetable. It is best to start with ¼ teaspoon, which should be given in the morning. Each time you can increase this dose. At the same time, parents should not forget to assess the condition of the child daily, examining his skin.
