Allergic (atopic) dermatitis in children is a common disease that most often manifests itself in the first months of life. Many mothers, having noticed rashes and redness on the baby's skin, ignore the problem. They are in no hurry to seek help from a pediatrician, because in all babies diathesis periodically pops up and prickly heat appears. Indeed, dermatitis to one degree or another affects about 90% of infants. However, this pathology should not be left to chance. In the absence of proper treatment and changes in nutrition, dermatitis can transform into a chronic form. Many children do not "outgrow" the disease and suffer from its manifestations until the end of life.
It all starts with diathesis
If rashes appear on a baby’s skin, he is diagnosed with diathesis. Translated from the Greek language, this pathology means "inclination to something." Diathesis is not a disease as such. Confirmation of the pathology in the child explains his predisposition to certain allergic reactions. Skin rashes often transform into a chronic form - the so-called atopy.
Allergic dermatitis in infants can occur for two reasons: a malfunction in the immune system or a malformed gastrointestinal tract. Most often, the body reacts to protein food, which is difficult for the baby to digest. Milk, chicken or fish meat, eggs, as well as citrus fruits and chocolate can act as provocateurs. Why do problems disappear with age? First of all, the baby “outgrows” its ailment. In an adult child, the digestive organs work fully, perfectly cope with new products. In addition, a change in diet is no longer the cause of a malfunction in the gastrointestinal tract, as it can happen when switching from breastfeeding to artificial feeding.
Allergic and atopic dermatitis
It is very difficult for some parents to understand the medical terms that doctors use to make the final diagnosis. Allergic dermatitis is no exception. Photos of children of this pathology can be found in specialized directories. But even in such literature there is different information. Let’s try further to understand this issue.
Dermatitis is the generalized name for skin inflammation that occurs in children and adults. A disease has several forms. Therefore, parents often confuse one type of pathology with another. Allergic dermatitis develops due to the penetration of irritants into the body from the environment, direct contact is required. Atopic dermatitis due to the name explains the reason for its appearance. "Atopos" in Greek means "strange." A similar diagnosis is made to small patients, if the cause of the disease is not identified. Atopic dermatitis is manifested up to a year, and its symptoms are no different from the allergic form.
How to distinguish one pathology from another? Symptoms of atopy make themselves felt if one of the parents has an allergy. To prevent its development, it is necessary to monitor the health of the child. Pathology may appear due to a number of conditions:
- hereditary predisposition;
- inappropriate climate;
- the presence of respiratory / food allergens;
- staphylococcus;
- improper hygiene;
- drug intolerance.
If the parents cannot influence the first two points, then the rest should be given attention.
Why do children experience allergic dermatitis?
The disease develops due to hypersensitivity to certain substances, which manifests itself with every contact with an irritant. Therefore, in the baby’s body there are serious changes affecting the immune system. After the womb, he becomes acquainted with a completely new world where allergens and other agents are constantly trying to attack him. Gradually, the body adapts to the created conditions. In this case, the “correct” immunity is developed. Before the body goes through a long adaptation, each time the child will be exposed to such a danger as allergic dermatitis. Photos in children with such a diagnosis allow you to evaluate all the insidiousness of the disease.
The main reason for the development of the disease is a hereditary predisposition. If both parents are prone to allergies, the likelihood of pathology in the child is about 80%. Symptoms of dermatitis only in mom or dad can recur in a child with a 50% probability. Only 20% of babies get sick when both parents are healthy.
In a child, allergic dermatitis makes itself felt under the influence of a hereditary factor and harmful stimuli at the same time. The following agents can provoke symptoms of the disease:
- Nutritional factor (the components of a certain product are regarded by the body as foreign bodies).
- Contact irritant (detergent, hygiene products, water may act as a source of allergen).
- Respiratory allergen (irritant enters the child's body through the respiratory tract).
Among a wide variety of pathologies, the contact form of dermatitis should be separately mentioned. This disease develops against the background of direct interaction of the baby's skin with external stimuli. Synthetic tissue, personal care products, etc. can act as a foreign agent. Contact allergic dermatitis in children can be treated at home. To do this, it is necessary to eliminate the effect of the irritant on the skin and remove the accompanying inflammation.
The main symptoms of the disease
The development of pathology begins with redness of the skin and the appearance of rashes. They can appear in the form of cracks, sores or spots. The clinical picture is gradually supplemented by severe itching, dryness and peeling of the epidermis. During periods of exacerbation, irritation intensifies, so children can comb their wounds.
Along with the listed symptoms, the skin changes. It becomes edematous, microvesicles appear with transparent contents. After a certain time they open. At this place, weeping sores form, which quickly dry out and leave crusts. The disease is developing rapidly. In the absence of proper treatment, it can transform into eczema.
In a child, allergic dermatitis goes through three stages of development:
- Infant It occurs in the eighth week after the birth of the child, is characterized by an acute course. The main areas of localization of rashes are the buttocks, face, legs.
- Children’s. It develops by the first year of a child’s life and can continue until the transitional age. The main areas of localization of rashes are elbow and popliteal joints, upper chest, neck.
- Teenage This stage begins at a transitional age or immediately after its completion.
Forms
In medical practice, it is customary to divide allergic dermatitis into several clinical and morphological varieties for an accurate diagnosis.
- The exudative form is the most common. Often, pathology is accompanied by the addition of a secondary infection. Exudative allergic dermatitis on the face of a child brings not only physical, but also aesthetic discomfort.
- Erythematous-squamous form manifests itself in children under two years of age. She has the appearance of a rash of a scaly nature. As the disease develops, the number of pathological lesions on the skin increases.
- The vesicular-kristous form is characterized by the appearance of microvesicles with serous contents. When combing, they open. Pathology is accompanied by severe itching, possibly a slight increase in temperature.
- The lichenoid form is most often diagnosed in adolescence. The disease is manifested by distinct lesions with a shiny surface.
- Prurigo Gebra is characterized by the appearance of itchy papules in the places of the bends of the limbs and lumbar region.
Only a doctor can determine a specific type of disease after a series of laboratory tests.
What is dangerous allergic dermatitis in children?
Symptoms of this disease should not be ignored. Lack of proper therapy can lead to complications. Among them, bronchial asthma is considered the most dangerous. It manifests itself as the skin of the baby is cleaned. Initially, it may seem that the ailment has receded. In fact, he transformed into a more complex form and went deep into the body.
Another unpleasant complication is a violation of intradermal metabolism. If the parents clearly follow the doctor’s prescriptions and follow all his recommendations, the disease can subsequently appear again in the form of psoriasis or urticaria. The latter is a serious pathology and is difficult to treat. Urticaria is a skin lesion in which mineral metabolism is impaired.
Diagnostic measures
Only a pediatrician can determine a child’s allergic dermatitis. During the initial diagnosis, the specialist studies the patient’s history, the clinical picture of the disease and conducts a physical examination. After that, he assigns a number of laboratory tests:
- Immunoglobulin assay. The child takes blood from a vein and determines the level of immunoglobulin E. If this indicator is increased, the likelihood of allergic dermatitis is high.
- Blood analysis.
- The immunogram. Allows you to identify violations in the main links of the immune system and prevent complications of pathology.
- Analysis of urine. The presence of protein and increased salt content indicate a violation of the kidneys.
- Blood biochemistry.
- Sowing on worms. It is carried out with a suspicion of a malfunction in the digestive tract, the development of which causes allergic dermatitis.
In children, the causes of the disease are sometimes difficult to determine, especially in relapsing forms. Such patients are recommended to conduct skin tests in the interictal period. The procedure itself is quite simple and painless. Solutions containing certain substances and water are applied to the skin. At the injection site of the stimulus, redness, slight swelling occurs. If the substance does not cause allergies, the skin remains clean. This procedure is recommended for children over three years old.
Drug therapy
How to treat allergic dermatitis in a child? Therapy of pathology is a long and complex process. He must be controlled by a pediatrician until the patient “outgrows” his diagnosis. Additionally, you may need to consult a gastroenterologist, neurologist or nutritionist.
The first step in treating dermatitis is to eliminate direct contact with the allergen. Then you need to remove the symptoms, namely unpleasant itching. Indeed, because of him, small children are constantly acting up and do not sleep at night. For this purpose, usually appoint “Claritin”, “Zirtek”, “Telfast”. Antihistamines used in modern practice do not cause side effects.
Hormonal ointment is used to treat skin manifestations of the disease . In allergic dermatitis in children, Sinaflan or Celestoderm are especially effective. If the clinical picture is poorly expressed, it is better not to use hormonal drugs.
Very often, the treatment of the underlying disease is accompanied by the treatment of gastrointestinal pathologies. If the failure in the immune system is caused by intestinal dysbiosis, the patient is shown taking prebiotics. The most effective among them are Linex and Probifor. In case of infection of a bacterial etiology, antibiotic treatment is required.
The principles of diet therapy
The life of a baby with confirmed dermatitis has its own characteristics. It must be constantly protected from contact with probable irritants. Therefore, for small patients, a special diet is selected. When breastfeeding, it should be followed not only by the child, but also by his mother. If the baby is on artificial nutrition, the mixtures are selected with hypoallergenic components. In this case, it is necessary to consult with the pediatrician in addition.
Diet for allergic dermatitis in children implies the use of the safest foods in the diet. These are green varieties of apples, various cereals, cabbage, lean meat. To prevent skin rashes from the diet, it is necessary to remove foods that increase the level of histamine in the blood. These include mayonnaise, various smoked meats, canned food, cheeses. All products containing colorants and stabilizers are prohibited. You will have to give up your favorite treats for a while - strawberries, citrus fruits and chocolate.
Recipes of folk healers
What allergic dermatitis in children looks like is known to almost all mothers. However, not everyone knows that it is possible to deal with its manifestations at home, but only after consulting a pediatrician. Among the most popular recipes for folk healers are the following:
- A decoction of oak bark. A mixture of calendula flowers, oak bark and ivy budra (two tablespoons of each ingredient) should be prepared. Herbal collection pour a glass of vegetable oil and boil. The resulting product is insisted overnight, after which it can be used. To do this, gauze must be moistened in a medicine and applied to the affected area. The procedure can be repeated several times.
- Sea buckthorn ointment. In a child, allergic dermatitis can be cured by many people's favorite treats. Two tablespoons of oil must be mixed with a glass of melted fat of animal origin. The resulting medicine lubricates the foci of inflammation.
The presented recipes quickly relieve the symptoms of the disease, reduce itching and redness.
Preventive measures
How to treat allergic dermatitis in a child, we have already told. How to prevent its occurrence? The main preventive measures for allergic dermatitis are to eliminate the factors that contribute to the overdrying of the skin of the child. Drinking plenty of water and cool air in the room help protect the baby from sweating. It is necessary to ensure that the child does not overeat. Undigested food can lead to redness of the skin and rashes. When overeating, the body releases a large amount of antibodies, which leads to the formation of toxins. They adversely affect the fragile systems of the child from the inside. During the period of remission, it is not recommended to feed the baby with allergen products (citrus fruits, sweets). They can aggravate the clinical picture and lead to prolonged treatment.
Allergic dermatitis in a child up to a year often appears against the background of physical contact with irritants. Therefore, pediatricians recommend that parents use hypoallergenic powders, diapers and personal care products. Clothing is best purchased from natural fabrics (cotton, linen). It should be as comfortable to wear as possible, not hamper the movement.
Parents should take care of their baby's skin daily. It must not be allowed to dry out. Moisturizing and softening the skin has a beneficial effect on the general condition of the baby. Special lotions and bathing products help maintain the proper pH level. This prevents diaper rash, excessive sweating and helps to quickly heal affected skin.
Conclusion
One of the most common problems that many parents have to deal with is allergic dermatitis. Symptoms and treatment in children of this disease cause a lot of controversy among pediatricians. The basis of its development is most often the hereditary factor. Among the main symptoms that accompany this insidious pathology, a rash on the skin, its swelling and severe itching can be distinguished. The treatment of dermatitis is usually complex. Therapy includes the use of antihistamines, local anti-inflammatory drugs. In especially serious cases and as recommended by a doctor, the use of hormonal ointments is indicated. Sick babies for a long time need to follow a special diet, limit contact with a potential irritant. Only in this case can we hope for a full recovery without complications in the future.