Allergic dermatitis in children: treatment, symptoms, diet

Allergic dermatitis in children occurs most often in the first year of development, which is explained by many factors. As a rule, after birth, the child's body is not yet fully formed, especially the immune system, which reacts sharply to any external and internal stimuli.

As we grow older, the body is rebuilt, and all organs and systems are working correctly.

The reasons for the development of the disease

As a rule, allergic dermatitis develops under the following conditions:

CONTACT ALLERGY. This condition occurs when there is an allergic effect on the skin of a child, therefore it is recommended to carefully choose clothes and toys for a child prone to allergic reactions. In addition, for a baby under one year old, it is advisable to use hypoallergenic care products.

FOOD ALLERGY. The food route of development of allergic dermatitis is the most common, especially in infants, when the nursing mother does not follow the diet. In addition to the fact that the diet is disturbed, early and incorrect complementary foods become a provocateur of the disease.

Potential allergens for the baby and mother are cow's milk, eggs, various types of fish, exotic vegetables and fruits, and chocolate.

The famous pediatrician Dr. Komarovsky recommends not to give some of these products (chocolate, strawberries) to children under one year old. The rest of the products in the child's diet must be introduced carefully, observing certain rules:

1. It is not recommended to introduce complementary foods from several products more often than once every 7 days, which makes it possible to track negative reactions to the introduction of a new product. In case of an acute reaction of the baby, a week break is recommended, after which a substitution should be made for foods with low allergenicity.
2. You can return to the product that caused the allergic reaction no earlier than after 8-9 weeks.
3. Unfamiliar products should be given to the baby at the very end of the feeding procedure and it is undesirable to mix them with others.

Komarovsky recommends not to overfeed the baby in any way. This can provoke a disruption in the functioning of the digestive system and, as a result, the development of allergies. In addition, even when breastfeeding, the mother must follow a diet.

RESPIRATORY ALLERGY. This form of the disease occurs when allergens (animal hair, dust, aerosols, perfumes, etc.) penetrate through their inhalation. With this pathway of allergic dermatitis, urgent measures must be taken. Frequent wet cleaning and limited contact with pets are recommended.

In addition, there are secondary factors that provoke an exacerbation of dermatitis in a child under 1 year old. These include:

• smoking parents (passive and active);
• unbalanced mother's diet when feeding a child up to a year;
• nervous stress;
• chemical additives and flavorings in food;
• increased physical activity, accompanied by increased sweating;
• seasonal factors, when the immune system is most weakened.

In addition, the development of dermatitis is facilitated by the unfavorable environmental situation in the region of residence of the patient.

Stages of development of allergic dermatitis

Allergic dermatitis in children is characterized by 3 stages:

1. The infant stage is observed at the beginning of the second month of a baby's life and is characterized by eczematous skin lesions in characteristic localization places (on the face, lower leg, shoulders, buttocks). As a rule, this stage moves to the next level, but sometimes there is a complete elimination of allergic dermatitis at this stage.

1. Children's stage - observed at the beginning of the second year of children's life and is able to accompany a small patient until the transitional age. Dr. Komarovsky claims that dry hands and feet syndrome may occur between the ages of 6 and 12. This is manifested by cracking of the skin as a result of insufficient moisture. The rash can spread to all parts of the body, but favorite spots are the chest, neck, bends of the elbows, and the area under the knees.
2. Adolescent stage - appears during the patient's puberty. The rash can be localized to any part of the body. With the development of such symptoms, consultation of specialists is required and, especially a dermatologist, who will conduct diagnostics and prescribe therapeutic measures, including the use of external agents (ointments, creams, gels and etc.).

It is important to bear in mind that children with weakened immunity are most often susceptible to allergic dermatitis, therefore, in no case should one self-medicate. This can intensify negative symptoms and lead to undesirable consequences.

Symptoms of the disease

Symptoms of allergic dermatitis are most often expressed by an inflammatory process in the body, worsening general condition, hyperemic rashes on the skin, which are accompanied by unbearable itching.

In the most sensitive areas of the body (neck, face, arms, legs) with atopic dermatitis, there is increased dryness and flaking of the skin and induration. As a rule, all symptoms are accompanied by burning and soreness, as well as hyperthermia at the site of edema localization. In this case, specific treatment and application of antipruritic and anti-inflammatory ointment to the affected areas is required.

Dr. Komarovsky claims that at an early age, children prone to allergic diseases are often observed symptoms of oozing, and with an exacerbation of the disease, the appearance of stropfuls (watery blisters) on the skin is possible, therefore the diagnosis difficult. When scratching, the development of secondary infection is possible, which requires the mandatory use of an antibacterial ointment.

As a rule, allergic dermatitis completely disappears by the end of the second year of a baby's life, but sometimes it can be complicated by rhinitis and bronchial manifestations.

Allergic dermatitis treatment

Treatment of allergic dermatitis in children is carried out in a complex and, as a rule, is accompanied by monitoring the condition of the baby. It is necessary to treat allergic dermatitis with the initial elimination of all contacts with the identified allergen.

Further, acute symptoms of the disease are eliminated with the help of the following drugs:

• to relieve itching and inflammatory edema, antihistamines of the second and third generation are prescribed (Claritin, Erius, Zirtek, Loratadin). Such drugs, unlike the first generation, have minimal side effects and, if used correctly, are practically harmless to the child;

• enterosorbents (activated carbon, Polypefan, Enterosgel, etc.) are prescribed to detoxify harmful substances from the body;
• it is recommended to treat skin manifestations with atopic dermatitis, depending on the degree of their intensity and localization of the rashes. In severe cases, hormone-based ointments can be prescribed (Akriderm ointment, Sinaflan, Celestoderm ointment, etc.);
• in the case when the symptoms of allergic dermatitis are not very intense, non-hormonal ointments are prescribed (Keratolan, Fenistil, etc.);
• quite often, with dermatitis, scratches become infected. In this case, it is recommended to treat the affected areas with brilliant green or a concentrated solution of manganese to dry the wounds;
• often, as a result of the disease, it is necessary to treat dysfunctional disorders and pathological processes from the gastrointestinal tract. For therapy, enzyme preparations are most often prescribed to normalize the secretory activity of the gastrointestinal tract (Panzinorm, Festal, Pancreatin, Creon, etc.). In the case of dysbacterial bowel disorders, children are prescribed prebiotics (Linex and Probifor). In addition, an increased intake of fermented milk products is recommended;
• with obvious skin lesions, external antibiotic therapy is used (solution of Miramistin and Fukaseptol), as well as therapy with ointments such as Levomekolevaya, Dioxide ointment, Erythromycin ointment, etc.

It is important to remember that therapeutic measures are selected for each baby individually, depending on how pronounced the symptoms are. However, dermatitis can only be treated after being examined by a dermatologist. Otherwise, such treatment can lead to serious negative consequences.

Diet for dermatitis

Children with a predisposition to allergic diseases should follow a hypoallergenic diet. To complete it, the following foods should be excluded from the diet of babies:

• all fruits and berries are brightly colored, as well as juices and vegetables;
• fish and seafood;
• whole cow's milk;
• oranges, tangerines;
• cereals, eggs and greens;
• any preservatives, emulsifiers, sauces and smoked meats;
• chocolate;
• sweet carbonated drinks.

It is important to consider that when breastfeeding children, a diet is also necessary for a lactating woman. The famous pediatrician Komarovsky recommends

Recommendations for baby's skin care

These include:

1. Bathing a baby with atopic dermatitis should be carried out without using the addition of hygiene products with various chemical additives.
2. For bathing, you should take filtered water, and the total duration of bathing should not exceed 20 minutes.
3. It is important to lubricate the skin with special external agents to moisturize the skin. Bepanten and Bepanthenol ointment showed good effectiveness. They are applied to clean, dry skin.

1. Dr. Komarovsky believes that natural (breastfeeding) feeding is the most optimal preventive measure for allergic dermatitis. It is quite understandable that with this approach, the diet and feeding rules should be followed, which ensure the child's digestion normalization.

In addition, when the immune system is strengthened with the help of hardening procedures and dosed physical activity, the condition of the little patient is normalized and the likelihood of long-term remission is high.