The prevalence of food allergies in infants, according to WHO, is about 10%. This is a fairly large percentage and recently there has been a tendency towards its growth. It’s not uncommon to encounter a mother in the pediatrician’s office complaining of food allergy symptoms in her baby. To effectively treat food allergies in infants, the doctor must try not only to prescribe medications, but also to explain the rules for caring for the baby and explain the intricacies of diet therapy.
In the development of allergies, hereditary predisposition is of great importance. Therefore, if mom or dad have allergic reactions, then the baby’s risk of developing food intolerance becomes higher.
Symptoms of food allergies in infants
1. Manifestations of food allergies are varied. The most common manifestation is a rash. Immediately after an allergen enters the body, an acute allergic reaction—urticaria—may develop. Bright red swollen spots of different sizes and shapes appear on the baby’s skin. A bubble with transparent contents may appear in the center of the spot. Its size can vary from a few millimeters to several centimeters. This rash usually goes away within 1-3 days. But it’s still worth showing the baby to the doctor. Since sometimes a child needs medication, and in case of an extensive rash, or its unfortunate location, even emergency help. You need to remember which product caused this reaction and not give it again.
2. Other types of rash are not as severe. Therefore, it is not always possible to determine a clear connection between its occurrence and the product. Such rashes are usually not bright, small-pointed. They are prone to undulating flow. The rash usually becomes brighter in the evening and fades in the morning. The skin becomes dry, flaky, and sometimes cracks. Most often, such a rash is located on the cheeks, buttocks, outer surfaces of the thighs and forearms. This type of rash requires special attention from specialists - examination and specific treatment.
3 The second most common manifestations are gastrointestinal symptoms. These include: swelling of the mucous membranes of the oral cavity, swelling of the esophagus, single or repeated vomiting. Most often, such symptoms appear acutely, immediately after consuming the allergen. In addition, the baby may experience abdominal pain. He can groan, be capricious, and kick his legs. Food allergies can manifest as loose stools. This can be either diarrhea or constipation. Less obvious signs of a food allergy in a baby may include frequent heavy regurgitation, low weight gain, poor appetite, and weakness. Manifestations from the gastrointestinal tract may occur with or without a rash.
4 Much less often in infancy, manifestations from the respiratory system are possible; if food gets into the mucous membranes, swelling of the upper respiratory tract may occur. This condition is acute and life-threatening. It requires immediate medical attention. With prolonged contact with the allergen, allergic rhinitis or asthma may develop. More often, such reactions appear not after ingestion of food, but after inhalation of its particles. The most common cause of respiratory allergies is inhalation of fumes from cooking or frying fish.
In addition, there are severe acute allergic reactions such as angioedema or anaphylactic shock. Such reactions occur immediately after contact with the allergen and develop very quickly. They are extremely rare and require emergency medical attention.
What is atopic dermatitis
Atopic dermatitis is a chronic skin disease characterized by a relapsing course.
Babies with atopic dermatitis are bothered by itching and dry skin. Foci of inflammation can be located throughout the body, but they especially “love” children’s cheeks and folds, as well as the area under the diaper. Statistics indicate that atopic dermatitis occurs in every fifth baby [1]. Why is he dangerous? Lack of treatment can lead to the development of severe forms of atopic dermatitis, the spread of inflammation and the atopic march. In this condition, the disease begins to “march” through the child’s body, provoking the appearance or exacerbation of concomitant diseases. In 20-43% of cases, the development of bronchial asthma is possible, and twice as often - allergic rhinitis or eczema [2].
In addition, disruption of the hydrolipid barrier that occurs with atopic dermatitis in children can cause a secondary infection. Unfortunately, atopic dermatitis cannot be “outgrown.”
Causes of food allergies in newborns
Food allergies in babies who have just been born are very rare. The baby receives only mother's milk. This is food that nature created for your baby and nothing can be better than it. Therefore, the peak age of food allergies in breastfed infants can be considered around 4–5 months, when the baby begins to receive complementary foods - products added to breast milk: vegetables, fruits, cereals, meat, dairy products and others. The situation is somewhat different with bottle-fed babies. The formula itself can cause food intolerances. Therefore, when choosing a mixture, it is better to consult a specialist.
What is the most common allergen in infants?
1. The first place is occupied by intolerance to cow's milk protein. It should be noted that most modern formulas for feeding infants are based on cow's milk proteins. This is the reason why the baby is allergic to the formula. In addition, a breastfed baby can also have a reaction to cow's milk protein if the mother has an excess of dairy products in her diet. We are not talking about a specific component of milk or formula. Cow's milk contains many different proteins: albumins, globulins, casein. Some of them cause an allergic reaction more often, others less often. Casein makes up about 80% of all milk proteins. Its composition in cow's milk is identical to that of goat's. This explains the cross-reaction in babies to cow's and goat's milk. Therefore, if you are intolerant to cow's milk, it is not recommended to replace it with goat's milk, or mixtures based on goat's milk, in the child's diet. Some proteins are destroyed by heat treatment. This is due to the lower reactogenicity (ability to cause reactions) of boiled milk. There is a protein similar in composition to the protein of beef or veal meat. If the baby is intolerant to this type of protein, there will be a cross-reaction to milk and meat products.
2. The next most common cause of allergies in an infant is a chicken egg. The egg also contains a protein called ovalbumin that is an allergen. Therefore, it is recommended to start introducing eggs into the diet with the yolk and in small portions. Watch your baby's reaction to this product carefully. When feeding eggs and protein for the first time, you should also carefully monitor the reaction. Don't forget that eggs are found in some pasta and baked goods.
3. Gluten is a common cause of food intolerance. This is a protein found in some grains. In order to prevent an undesirable reaction, it is recommended to start complementary feeding with gluten-free cereals. These include: buckwheat, corn, rice. Cereals rich in gluten, such as semolina, millet, and oatmeal, should be introduced closer to the age of one. In the first year, a reaction to gluten is less common than intolerance to cow's milk protein or egg white.
4. In addition, brightly colored fruits and vegetables can cause food reactions. Such as carrots, beets, pumpkin, peach. It is better to postpone their introduction into the diet and give preference to green and white vegetables - such as zucchini, cauliflower and broccoli. It’s best to start introducing your baby to fruits with green apples and pears. It is also better not to rush with exotic fruits such as mango or kiwi.
Do not forget that an allergic reaction is possible to any product. When giving a treat to a baby for the first time, a mother should remember the risk of intolerance. Try not to rush, especially with the introduction of the very first complementary foods. Give unfamiliar foods to the child in small portions in the morning so that it is possible to control the reaction to them throughout the day.
How to recognize a food allergy and not confuse it with other diseases?
Most often, in order to diagnose a food allergy, a doctor only needs an examination and a detailed interview with the mother. Mom can point out that she herself has a food allergy or point the doctor to a specific food. Sometimes it is difficult to make such a diagnosis right away. Then the doctor may order an examination. First, a general blood test. And then, if necessary, specific allergy tests: examination for immunoglobulins, and at a later age, provocative tests. It is these tests that were chosen as the most informative in the latest clinical recommendations. In addition, your baby may need to consult an allergist, dermatologist or gastroenterologist, depending on the symptoms that are bothering him. And also, additional examination from the gastrointestinal tract.
Treatment and prevention of allergies
According to the latest WHO recommendations, the basis for the prevention of food allergies in children is breastfeeding. Children who receive exclusively breast milk in the first months of life are much less likely to suffer from food allergies. At the same time, mothers of healthy children who are breastfed do not require special diets. Their diet should be complete and varied, including proteins, fats, and carbohydrates. As well as microelements and vitamins. Mothers of children who are at risk for food intolerance are advised not to limit their diet too much. It is necessary to completely exclude those foods to which the mother herself has a reaction and keep a food diary.
If artificial feeding is necessary, children prone to allergies choose special hypoallergenic formulas. To treat existing manifestations, the mixture should be selected by a specialist. According to the latest clinical recommendations, if you are intolerant to cow's milk protein, choose mixtures with fully hydrolyzed protein or amino acid composition. In this case, it is not correct to prescribe hypoallergenic mixtures and mixtures based on goat’s milk protein. Soy-based mixtures themselves can cause an allergic reaction.
Another important step for the prevention and treatment of food allergies is the correct introduction of complementary foods. Complementary foods should be introduced in a timely manner - no earlier than 4 months and no later than 6. To begin with, hypoallergenic foods are selected - white and green vegetables, gluten-free cereals. On one day, the baby is given only one complementary food product, in small quantities, and the possible reaction is observed. At the beginning, a new product should be introduced no more than once a week. Mothers of babies who are predisposed to allergies or already have allergic manifestations are recommended to keep a food diary. There, the mother writes down all the foods she fed the child during the day and possible reactions to them.
The doctor, if necessary, can prescribe medications to the baby. They can be either for oral administration or for skin treatment. Children with chronic allergic rashes require special skin care. It is necessary to use special children's detergents with a neutral pH. And after washing, use special care products - emollients. It is better to consult a doctor about which emollient to choose. If there are manifestations from the gastrointestinal tract or respiratory system, the child needs specific treatment, which can only be prescribed by a doctor during an in-person examination.
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The most common dermatitis in children: features of diagnosis and therapy
According to foreign researchers, approximately 25% of all visits to doctors are complaints about skin pathology [1]. Among them, the most common dermatitis in children is seborrheic, contact (diaper) and atopic. In recent years, scientists have noted an increase in the incidence of these skin diseases in general practice. Thus, in the Netherlands, during the period 1987–2001, doctors most often diagnosed fungal (dermatophytoses), atopic, bacterial (impetigo) and contact dermatitis in children aged 0–17 years, which accounted for 57% of all cases of skin diseases [2].
Seborrheic dermatitis. The fungus Malassezia furfur is considered a possible etiological factor for seborrheic dermatitis. These microorganisms usually colonize healthy skin, but they also play an important role in the etiology and/or exacerbation of folliculitis, seborrheic and atopic dermatitis.
There are two clinical forms of the disease: seborrheic dermatitis of infants and seborrheic dermatitis of adults.
Seborrheic dermatitis affects 10% of boys and 9.5% of girls; more often - children aged the first 3 months of life, then the incidence decreases slightly (by 2 years it usually goes away or persists until 4 years of age). In adults, seborrheic dermatitis is diagnosed at any age: the rash is represented by red itchy papules covered with scales, on the scalp it resembles dandruff.
In infants suffering from seborrheic dermatitis, already at the 2-3rd week of life, accumulations of fatty, sebaceous scales (gneiss) appear on the skin of the scalp (to a lesser extent on the forehead, cheeks, in the folds behind the ears), and in cases of damage to large folds of the skin of the body and extremities - a maculopapular rash, also covered with scales on the periphery. The rash can also be localized in the area of the external auditory canal and sternum, on the neck, in the axillary and groin areas. Itching is moderate or absent [3]. When the rash is localized in the diaper area, a bacterial infection may occur, which sometimes makes treatment very difficult. If left untreated, the rash may spread to other areas of the body, becoming generalized. Against the background of seborrheic dermatitis or after its disappearance, some children develop another dermatitis - atopic, in the etiopathogenesis of which (especially the severe form of the disease) Malassezia furfur also plays a very significant role.
Important distinguishing signs of seborrheic dermatitis are the absence of itching of the skin, as well as the predominant lesion of the scalp and diaper area in children suffering from seborrheic dermatitis. Atopic dermatitis is characterized by skin exudation, while seborrheic dermatitis is characterized by an earlier onset and the absence of a hereditary burden of atopy (Table 1).
Treatment of seborrheic dermatitis is not particularly difficult. Manifestations of the disease in the scalp in newborns (milk crusts) can spontaneously go away by the 6-8th week of life (or for such children it is enough to prescribe daily washing of the hair with a special shampoo, followed by the application of mineral or olive oils). They also cleanse irritated skin with areas of hyperseborrhea, especially in problem areas. For this purpose, the use of cleansing gel “Bioderma Sensibio DS”, “Saforel” is recommended, “Topicrem” is also recommended, shower gel foam is for skin prone to mycoses, “Friderm Zinc” (for flaking of the scalp).
After preliminary cleansing, the skin is dried and a dermatological cream (for example, Bioderma Sensibio DS) is applied to problem areas (in newborns and children - scalp, forehead, buttocks; in adults - wings of the nose, eyebrows, chin).
Of the dermatological shampoos specially designed for the treatment of seborrheic dermatitis in children and adults, Nizoral shampoo containing 2% ketoconazole is widely used. However, the same clinical improvement in a comparative study was noted with the use of Kelual DS shampoo, which has fungicidal, fungistatic, anti-inflammatory and keratoregulating effects due to the content of the non-imidazole antifungal drug ciclopiroxolamine (D. Shuttleworth et al., 1998). Cyclopiroxolamine has a high coefficient of fungistatic action (suppression of proliferation of Malassezia fungi); in addition, it has a unique anti-inflammatory effect, comparable even to the effect of a mild corticosteroid (K. Gupta, 1998). The composition of the Kelual DS shampoo also includes another antifungal drug - zinc pyrithione 1%, which has a fungistatic and kerator-reducing effect. The combination of two antifungal active components has a synergistic effect in suppressing the proliferation of Malassezia fungi, which is reflected in the high coefficient of fungistatic action in the Kelual DS shampoo, which, as the study has shown, is superior to the inhibitory activity of ketoconazole. Additionally, the Kelual DS shampoo contains keluamide, which has a mechanical dispersive effect, ensuring rapid elimination of squams (keratolytic effect).
In case of the formation of seborrheic crusts on the head and severe peeling of the skin, you can also use the Friederm Tar shampoo, Mustela Stelaker Cream (apply it to seborrheic crusts in children, leave it overnight and then wash it off with Mustela Bebe Foam Shampoo for newborns).
Typically, medicated shampoos are used 2 times a week, the course of treatment is 6 weeks.
Other nonpharmacologic approaches (eg, limiting the use of hair sprays and gels, exposure to sunlight) may also be helpful in older children and adolescents.
For seborrheic dermatitis, topical corticosteroids should be avoided as first-line treatment [4]. Recently, a report appeared on the high therapeutic activity of the combined use of antifungal shampoo (ketoconazole) and the topical calcineurin inhibitor tacrolimus (currently in Russia this series of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs is represented only by Elidel cream (pimecrolimus 1%)) [5].
In recent years, Malassezia furfur has been considered not only as a trigger factor for atopic dermatitis in children and adults, but also as one of the causes of severe recurrent course of the disease, refractory to traditional therapy. Also, these microorganisms are more often detected in this variant of atopic dermatitis, when the skin process is localized on the head, neck and chest area (in the English literature, the so-called head and neck dermatitis - “dermatitis of the neck and head”).
Atopic dermatitis. Spergel and Paller provide the following clinical criteria for atopic dermatitis [6].
Mandatory criteria:
- itching;
- eczematous changes: chronic or recurrent; the most age-specific patterns involve the face, neck, and extensor surfaces of the extremities in infants and children; Damage to the flexor surfaces, especially in older children and adults, is less pronounced in the groin and axillae.
Important features in favor of this diagnosis (not found in all patients):
- onset of the disease at an early age;
- xerosis;
- atopy (IgE reactivity).
The diagnosis of atopic dermatitis can be made after excluding diseases such as scabies, allergic contact dermatitis, seborrheic dermatitis, psoriasis and ichthyosis.
As practice shows, atopic dermatitis is characterized by clinical polymorphism. Suffice it to say that the literature describes more than 26 separate locations of the skin process on parts of the body and nine typical signs of the disease, the main of which, in combination with dry skin, are three: itching, erythema, papules. However, the location of skin lesions often depends on age. Thus, in infancy (the onset of the disease before 2 years of age) the cheeks, face, neck, and outer surface of the limbs are affected. In the age period from 2 to 10 years, rashes are usually localized in the elbow and popliteal folds, on the back, back of the neck, and lateral surfaces of the torso. Adolescents and adults are characterized by damage to the face (mainly periorbital or atopic cheilitis), the dorsum of the hands, and in the area of the elbows and knees. Itchy papules are located against the background of lichenized and dry skin, often with pronounced peeling.
Today, external therapy is recognized as the most important, pathogenetically substantiated and absolutely necessary for every patient with atopic dermatitis, which includes proper skin care (cleansing/moisturizing/softening) followed by the application of anti-inflammatory drugs to it. According to the American prof. D. Leung, “moisturizing and softening the skin are key in the treatment of atopic dermatitis” [7]. Moreover, due to impaired barrier function and dry skin, moisturizers/emollients should be used even during periods of the disease when there are no symptoms [7, 8]. This approach is based on scientific data: in particular, in patients with atopic dermatitis, the same inflammatory cells that infiltrate the lesions are found in unaffected areas of the skin; in addition, the manifestations of skin hyperreactivity and xerosis in different areas of the skin are no different [7, 8]. Because of its hyperreactivity, atopic skin has the ability to change depending on fluctuations in air temperature, stressful situations, after eating certain foods, or for other unknown reasons. The condition of the skin also changes after applying external medications; Sometimes patients or doctors themselves can associate symptoms such as burning, increased itching, hyperemia with the external agent used, which often leads to discontinuation of the drug. In fact, the cause may be the above exogenous factors. If necessary, the doctor conducts a drug tolerance test on the patient. Rare cases of the development of allergic contact dermatitis even to the main anti-inflammatory drugs for the treatment of atopic dermatitis (topical corticosteroids or topical calcineurin inhibitors) have been described. Another feature of atopic skin is that its dryness, accompanied by transepidermal water loss, increases the systemic absorption of external hormonal agents and, consequently, their side effects [9].
Accordingly, effective treatment of dry and itchy skin may improve treatment outcomes for atopic dermatitis. However, it is impossible to influence such causes of dry skin as changes in the stratum corneum, disturbances in keratinization, the composition of the balance and amount of intracellular lipids, metabolism of transepidermal water, changes in skin pH, etc. simply by applying moisturizers and/or emollients to the skin. These are very complex physicochemical, biochemical and pathophysiological processes that occur differently in skin diseases. Recently, scientists have been considering dry skin in atopy from the point of view of a unified pathophysiological concept “atopy, dry skin and the environment” [10, 11]. Recognizing the importance of this approach, the dermatocosmetic lines “A-Derma”, “Dardi Lipo Line” were created, as well as a new unique emollient, which is used with great success in the treatment of atopic dermatitis abroad - “MAS063D” (Atopiclair) [12, 13]. Thus, according to Abramovits et al., in 94% of patients with mild to moderate atopic dermatitis, the need for topical corticosteroids completely disappeared within 50 days after using the non-steroidal hydrolipidic cream “MAS063D” (Atopiclair) [13].
The unique line of products “A-Derma” (“Egzomega”) uses the exceptional qualities of the oat extract of the Realba variety: amylose, amylopectin and β-glycans included in “Egzomega”, coming into contact with water, form a moisturizing and protective film on the surface of the epidermis . In addition, they promote the retention of lipids, polyphenols and proteins, forming a micelle “reservoir” that releases active substances as needed and provides prolonged action; proteins have an anti-inflammatory effect; phospholipids and glycolipids nourish and moisturize the skin; polyphenols have antiradical and anti-inflammatory effects; magnesium, iron, copper, zinc, manganese are protein cofactors. Egzomega products also contain essential omega-6 fatty acids and vitamin B3, which ensures the restoration of the structure and barrier function of the skin.
To care for the skin of patients with atopic dermatitis, other products from the medical and cosmetic series such as “Aven”, “Mustela Stelatopia”, “Uriage”, “Vichy”, etc. are also widely used.
Before using emollients/moisturizers, a patient with atopic dermatitis should comply with certain skin care conditions (cleansing with special hygiene detergents, using dechlorinated water, etc.). Moisturizers/emollients are applied after preliminary cleansing of the skin using medicated skin care products - usually the same line of medicinal cosmetics (Topicrem Bodygel, BioEcolie; Mustela Stelatopia, washing cream; Egzomega - cleansing shower oil for atopic skin, etc.).
In case of persistently recurrent course, as well as moderate and severe forms of atopic dermatitis, patients are advised to use medicinal cosmetics containing additional anti-inflammatory (for example, alphabisabolol, allantoin, dexpanthenol, etc.) or antifungal substances (for example, “Topicrem” gel - foam for body skin prone to mycoses, which contains piroctone olamine 1%).
In particular, the use of the Topicrem cosmetic line is recommended (Table 2).
The Dardia Lipo Line treatment products include natural hydrophilic substances - lactate, urea and glycerin, while cetearylethyl hexanoate and a mixture of medium chain triglycerides maintain the lipid balance of the skin. The combination of these components leads to the achievement of the best results in the maintenance therapy of allergic dermatoses, preventive skin care after the use of topical corticosteroids, chemotherapy and radiation, as well as in daily skin care. The water-fat and anhydrous forms of the products in this line are ideal for dry and very dry skin, are easily absorbed and evenly distributed over the skin (Table 3).
It has been proven that the effectiveness of moisturizers/emollients depends on the dose (they should be used regularly in sufficient quantities), skin pH, and also on patient compliance [7, 8, 12, 13]. It is especially important to use them before applying anti-inflammatory drugs to the skin (topical corticosteroids, topical calcineurin inhibitors). There are even cases in the literature of equivalent effectiveness of moisturizers and topical corticosteroids in patients with atopic dermatitis. In general, skin hydration and moisturizers significantly increase the effectiveness of complex therapy for atopic dermatitis and the quality of life of such patients. In addition, moisturizing preparations have a kind of preventive effect even before the appearance of pronounced symptoms of exacerbation of the disease and can significantly reduce the amount of drug therapy. At the same time, they do not replace topical drugs that have an anti-inflammatory effect.
Modern practice shows that the importance of using moisturizers in the treatment of atopic dermatitis is significantly underestimated throughout the world. Thus, a recent survey showed that of 77% of children suffering from atopic dermatitis to whom specialists prescribed emollient ointments, only 21% used them immediately after washing [14].
The goal of the treating physician and nurses is to instruct patients with atopic dermatitis and their caregivers to regularly cleanse and hydrate the skin, followed by the application of an anti-inflammatory drug if necessary.
Sometimes in children under one year of age, the diagnosis of atopic dermatitis presents certain difficulties, especially if the skin manifestations are localized in the diaper area. Diaper dermatitis almost always occurs in the buttocks area. The disease is associated with factors such as the immaturity of the protective mechanisms of the child’s skin, its mechanical damage (friction from diapers) and chemical irritation from urine and feces. Depending on the severity, the clinical manifestations of diaper dermatitis can vary from mild skin erythema of varying prevalence to the appearance of papules, erosions and infiltrates in the skin folds. Severe diaper dermatitis is characterized by the appearance of conflicts, then erosions and crusts on the surface of the papules.
In some children suffering from diaper dermatitis or seborrheic dermatitis, signs of atopic dermatitis can also be detected at the same time.
In the treatment of diaper dermatitis, the use of medicinal hygiene products is justified (Bepanten, Topicrem ultra-moisturizing emulsion, Mustela Stelkactive diaper cream, etc.), which are applied only after preliminary cleansing of the skin with special hygiene products. Air baths are important. The use of topical corticosteroids in the treatment of diaper dermatitis is unjustified. In addition, when prescribing a topical combination drug, the doctor must be sure of its necessity, i.e., correctly determine the indications for its use. Thus, according to American researchers, if a child has diaper dermatitis, most doctors considered it more appropriate to use a combination drug consisting of a strong class topical corticosteroid (Betamethasone valerate) and an antifungicide (clotrimazole), explaining this by the fact that the basis of diaper dermatitis is candidiasis and inflammatory mechanisms [15]. At the same time, doctors forgot that this topical corticosteroid is contraindicated for use in children under 12 years of age. Moreover, as another study showed, every second pediatrician (56%) prescribed a similar drug to children aged 0 to 4 years [16].
The International Expert Group on Atopic Dermatitis (2006) recalls that in adult patients with atopic dermatitis, a combination of atopic, contact and irritative dermatitis may be observed, and atopic dermatitis involving the hands and feet should be differentiated from psoriasis of the palms and soles and fungal skin lesions [8 ]. It is also necessary to remember about such rare pathologies in children as genodermatosis - Neferton syndrome; in adults and children - vitamin deficiency, malignant skin tumors. Thus, mycosis fungoides, by the nature of the skin lesions and the presence of intense itching, may be similar to the common form of atopic dermatitis, however, mycosis fungoides appears in adolescence and adulthood [7, 8].
For questions regarding literature, please contact the editor.
D. Sh. Macharadze , Doctor of Medical Sciences, Professor of RUDN University, Moscow
How long do food allergies last in infants?
Children with food allergies have an increased risk of other allergic reactions or illnesses in the future. There is also a chance that intolerance to the product will remain with the baby for life. However, up to 50% of allergic reactions in babies go away by the age of one year. And up to 90% by 5 years. Most of the patients I have worked with at 3 years old go to kindergarten without any manifestations of the disease.
It is possible to protect your child from food allergies by paying close attention to his diet and the mother’s diet during breastfeeding. And if allergies cannot be avoided, contact a specialist and be healthy.
Features of the rash with prickly heat
Miliaria in children occurs when the skin is irritated as a result of excessive sweating. The reason lies in the imperfection of thermoregulation and the structural features of children's sweat glands, which have narrow excretory ducts.
The rash most often appears during the hot season, as well as during the cold season in children who are overly wrapped up. Skin rashes, triggered by increased sweating, occur when the temperature rises during illness or thermal procedures.
The causes of prickly heat can be:
- incorrectly selected baby clothes, in which he sweats a lot;
- increased room temperature, especially if heaters that dry the air are used;
- failure to comply with hygiene standards, as a result of which the baby may experience blockage of the sweat glands.
You can distinguish heat rash from allergies in newborns by a rash that looks like bright red or flesh-colored blisters (papules). Bubbles appear in any area, but the typical localization is usually in closed areas of the back, buttock folds, neck, armpits, between the buttock folds, as well as on the face and abdomen. They usually appear immediately after the child overheats.
To get rid of the rash, dry it with baby powder. If the rash is caused by sweat, the blisters will disappear the next day. We are talking about prickly heat, which is already a priori associated with sweat, or rather with difficulty in sweating. You should not use powder, ointments and creams, but rather use baths, but with a low temperature, you can also consider the following: Normalize the temperature and humidity conditions in the room, change linen more often, use cotton fabric, try not to overheat the child.
