Allergy in children
Allergy - increased sensitivity of the body to the effects of various allergens of the external and internal environment.
Allergies - allergic diseases, which are based on the processes of interaction of the allergen (antigen) and antibodies. Allergen - a substance of antigenic nature, capable of causing allergies. Antibodies - blood serum proteins formed as a result of the entry of various antigens into the body.
Over the past decades, there has been a steady increase in the number of patients with allergic diseases.
Food allergies are caused by substances that are formed in the event of incomplete breakdown of food proteins due to a lack of appropriate digestive enzymes. Food allergies often occur with reduced acidity of gastric juice.
The main sign of food allergies is itching of the soft palate, neck, chest, back, abdomen, arms and legs. There are rashes on the skin, swelling of the face, in particular, eyelids, auricles. Due to swelling of the vocal cords, the voice becomes hoarse, attacks of suffocation occur. Typical symptoms of food allergy are intestinal dysfunction (diarrhea, constipation, vomiting, nausea, episodic abdominal pain, indigestion of basic foods). Hypersensitivity most often occurs to protein products (milk, eggs, chocolate, nuts), citrus fruits, occasionally to fats and carbohydrates. Diagnosis of food allergy is very difficult.
Allergic rhinitis is more common in children aged 2-4 years. Runny nose usually appears suddenly, is accompanied by sneezing, breathing through the nose is difficult. The child becomes lethargic, pale, coughs, complains of itching in the nose and eyes, headache. Allergic rhinitis is often combined with allergic conjunctivitis, there is a feeling of burning in the eyes, tearing, photophobia. Seasonal allergic conjunctivitis begins suddenly during the period of mass flowering of plants. Patients complain of a foreign body sensation in the eyes, a noticeable itching.
Often skin diseases are caused by the body's increased sensitivity to certain substances. Allergic dermatitis can be caused by various chemicals, some plants. Blisters, redness appear on the skin, and in the later stages peeling is added.
Cold allergy is very dangerous. A child with a cold allergy should avoid hypothermia while swimming in a river or sea (even in summer), since shock may develop in the water.
The most severe form of an immediate allergic reaction of a hidden type is anaphylactic shock. It occurs in the case of the administration of antibiotics, in particular, the penicillin group, sulfonamide drugs, pyramidone, butadione, gamma globulin, serums, vaccines, as well as after insect bites, for example, bees, wasps, from the cold. The dose and route of administration do not matter. It is most often characterized by sudden development (within 2 seconds - 60 minutes), but sometimes it can appear 4-6 hours after contact with the allergen. The child experiences a feeling of tightness in the chest, heat throughout the body, abdominal pain. Dizziness, itching of the skin are observed. In severe cases, the child faints, his blood pressure drops sharply. The extremities become cold, the pulse is not palpable, the pupils are dilated, do not react to light, convulsions appear, there may be involuntary excretion of urine and feces.
In case of artificial and mixed feeding of children with allergic diathesis, fermented milk mixtures are used.
In case of allergy to chicken eggs, not only eggs are removed from the child's diet, but also products that include them (pasta, confectionery, mayonnaise, etc.). If the child's body is very sensitive to a certain type of meat (for example, beef), it is replaced with another.
Fresh and dried berries of black currant, cranberries, celery, green varieties of apples do not cause allergic reactions. They are given to the child in any form.
The following remedies are recommended for children over 3 years old who suffer from allergies:
- Mix 150 g of freshly grated horseradish with the juice of 2-3 lemons. Use 1/2 tsp. in the morning and evening or 1 tsp. in the morning;
- Grind one head of garlic with 3 lemons. Pour the mixture with 0.5 l of boiled water at room temperature, leave for 5 days. Take 1 tsp. - 1 tbsp. 3 times a day 20 minutes before meals.
Honeycombs have an anti-allergic effect. They should be chewed 5-10 g 4-5 times a day. Spit out the chewed mass.
To reduce the manifestation of allergic reactions, reduce the permeability of the vascular wall, use natural calcium preparations. An infusion of stinging nettle leaves works well:
2 tbsp. l. pour 400 ml of boiling water, leave for 2 hours. Take up to 1/2 cup 4 times a day before meals. Calcium contained in nettle leaves suppresses the intensity of allergic reactions, in particular, in the case of food allergies, reduces the permeability of blood vessels.
The herb of the three-part series has an anti-allergic effect: 1 tbsp. l. pour 200 ml of water, bring to a boil, insist 30 min. Take 1/4 cup 3 times a day 30 min before meals or 1 hour after meals for children over 12 years old. Children 10-12 years old are given 30 ml 3-4 times a day, 8-9 years old - 20 ml, 6-7 - 10 ml, and up to 5 years old - 5 ml per reception. Older children are prescribed an alcohol extract of the herb (pharmacy preparation) 10-20 drops 3 times a day before meals for 12-15 days.
As an anti-allergic, anti-inflammatory agent, licorice roots are used: 2 tsp. pour 200 ml of boiling water, insist 20 min. Take 1 tsp. - 1 tbsp. l. 3 times a day.
Strengthening the function of the excretory organs helps to free the body from toxic substances that cause skin manifestations of allergies. It is recommended to do cleansing enemas daily. You can achieve increased sweating with the help of a constant steam bath (25 min). Exciting body wraps also help to cleanse the body, during which the child should have pleasant sensations (do not bring to sweating). You can put a long shirt on the child, moistened with a hot decoction of the grass of the sedge or oat straw. The duration of the procedure is 30-40 min.
To prevent cold allergies, sinusitis, tonsillitis, cholecystitis, helminthiasis, dental caries, etc. should be treated in a timely manner. The child should be tempered. Water procedures, in particular a contrast shower, contribute to hardening. Water temperature - from 39-38 to 25 ° C. Gradually, its upper limit is reduced - to 37-36°C, then to 36-34°C, and the lower limit - to 18-16°C. After each water procedure, the child is rubbed with a towel until the skin turns red. In the cold season, the child is dressed taking into account the weather, and on frosty days, before going outside, the face, neck, and hands are lubricated with melted goose fat or lard. The child's wardrobe should not contain things made of synthetic fabrics, especially underwear, tights, and gloves.
During the period of active manifestation of allergic diseases or reactions, vaccination is strictly prohibited.
The room where the child lives should be spacious, bright, without carpets. It is maintained in perfect cleanliness, and wet cleaning is carried out regularly. If animals are kept at home and the child is sensitive to their fur or dander, they are not allowed into the child's room. You should not grow indoor flowers to the pollen of which the child is allergic.
You cannot use shampoos or high-quality soaps to wash your child. It is best to use baby soap that does not contain impurities. Of course, smoking is prohibited in the apartment where the child lives, and especially if he or she suffers from allergic diseases.
One of the preventive measures for drug allergies is the reasonable (according to indications) use of drugs under the strict supervision of a specialist. The key to successful treatment of allergic reactions and their prevention is the timely treatment of so-called concomitant diseases. Allergic diseases are almost always a consequence of a general disorder of the body. Therefore, during treatment it is necessary to: eliminate the effect of the allergen; cure the underlying disease; conduct sanitation of foci of chronic infection. The child must be constantly tempered.