Allergy in newborns to formula. Allergy to the mixture, photo. When there is a risk of such manifestations

Every mother should know how allergies to formula manifest in infants. From the first days of life, the child reacts to various factors. Nutrition in this case is very important aspect. The allergic reaction can be severe and life-threatening.

After birth the baby eats breast milk or a mixture. A large number of manufacturers produce milk, dairy-free, and gluten-free formulas for baby food. An allergic reaction in a baby can occur at any time.

It is worth noting that this phenomenon may appear on any component in the mixture. A reaction may especially occur to a cheap mixture Low quality. Therefore, it is very important to choose a high-quality mixture.

Why does an allergic reaction to formula occur in newborns?

A reaction to the mixture may occur due to the following factors:

1. Genetic predisposition - if the child’s parents suffer from food allergies, then there is a 50% risk that it will be passed on to the baby. However, it can manifest itself in other foods. This is the main cause of allergies.
2. Medicines. Reception medicines during pregnancy may affect the occurrence of hypersensitivity in the child. This is especially true for antibiotics.
3. Drinking alcohol, smoking during pregnancy. Such factors negatively affect the development of the fetus and provoke various pathologies. Allergy in this case is not the worst consequence.
4. Complications during childbirth and pregnancy. Hypoxia, viral and infectious diseases, risk of miscarriage, premature birth– influence the development of such reactions in the baby.
5. Diseases. Viral diseases are very dangerous for children under 3 one month old. They cause disruption digestive system. In the future, there is a risk that the child will be allergic.
6. Consumption of allergens. If a woman is in last months If you consumed a large amount of highly allergenic foods during pregnancy, your baby may have a reaction to them in the form of rashes. This group includes citrus fruits, strawberries, chocolate, and nuts.
7. Pathologies of the digestive system. Newborn babies are born with an unformed digestive system. The occurrence of pathologies may be caused by protein or gluten intolerance. These components are found specifically in infant formula.

Your doctor will help determine the cause of the reaction. To do this you need to do additional examinations and analyses. This will help identify the specific irritant.

Causes of allergies to formula milk

The main reason for this reaction is the presence of gluten. This component is found in milk formulas. Often newborns suffer from milk intolerance. Lactose is not accepted by the gastrointestinal tract.

In this case, children are prescribed a dairy-free diet. Breastfeeding is also contraindicated. Scientists note the high similarity of mother's milk with cow's and goat's milk. Therefore, the baby must follow a hypoallergenic diet.

The danger of the new

Each new product is introduced into the child’s diet gradually. Thus, it is possible to observe the body's reaction and determine the specific allergen. There is always a danger in a new diet.

It is impossible to predict the child's reaction. Therefore, the introduction of new products should be gradual. At the same time, parents should monitor the baby’s well-being. If allergy symptoms occur, immediately eliminate the irritant from the diet. IN otherwise hyperallergenicity to other products may develop.

Cumulative allergy

This type of allergy does not go away quickly. It may take several weeks to heal. Only then does the rash disappear and skin covering takes on its original appearance.

Cumulative allergies are the body's slow response to an allergen. To determine this, parents are advised to keep a diary of their child’s nutrition. Antibody tests are not always reliable, and errors may occur. This complicates the treatment process.

Can a reaction to the mixture occur not immediately, but after a month?

If a month has passed since the first intake of the formula, and the baby no longer ate such a mixture, then an allergy to it cannot appear so late. Symptoms of the reaction will occur more quickly.

You need to carefully study the composition of your child’s food. The same component can be found in different mixtures and other products. A food diary will help you determine if your baby is allergic.

What does an allergy to formula look like in infants?

Allergy symptoms appear 24-48 hours after consuming the irritant. It has several types of manifestation:

• rash on the face, neck, head, around the mouth, behind the ears (urticaria, dermatitis are characteristic). The rash has a noticeable sheen to the skin, and the redness may appear plaque-like;
• The rash is accompanied by itching, and weeping eczema occurs. Localized on the cheeks, back, abdomen, buttocks, arms and legs, genitals. At the same time, children are very irritable;
• difficulty breathing - allergic rhinitis and cough, shortness of breath. For infants, such symptoms are especially dangerous because they have difficulty controlling their breathing;
• digestive system disorders - bloating, colic, frequent regurgitation, diarrhea, constipation. These symptoms are all similar to other viral and infectious diseases, but in case of allergies the body temperature does not increase.

Allergies to formula manifest in different ways in infants; symptoms may coincide with other diseases. But it’s even more difficult to identify the allergen and limit the baby’s contact with it.

General clinical picture

Every mother should know what an allergy to formula looks like in a baby and what to do in this case. The reaction may manifest itself in varying degrees difficulties. A small amount of rash and redness does not cause significant discomfort to the child. He becomes whiny and irritable.

Children under one year of age may experience severe allergies. This is especially true for Quincke's edema, which can cause suffocation. If this reaction is not treated in time, there is a possibility of developing other allergies. Therefore, it is very important to identify the allergen as quickly as possible.

How long does it take for signs of pathology to appear?

It is impossible to say exactly how long it takes for an infant to become allergic to formula. In this case, it all depends on the individual and physiological characteristics child's body. At regular use mixture, a reaction may occur after 1-2 months. In other children, symptoms are noticeable within a few hours or 1-2 days.

Symptoms of a rapidly progressing allergy

If the allergy progresses quickly, it poses a threat to the baby. If there are no new elements of the rash within an hour, then you should worry. This is the first sign of a rapidly progressing allergy. In this case, you should immediately consult a doctor to avoid complications.

How long does it take for signs of a slowly developing reaction to appear?

The cumulative reaction manifests itself slowly. Allergy symptoms appear at least the next day. Signs may appear within 2-7 days. It is worth noting that this type is more difficult to treat.

How can you tell if your child is allergic to formula?

You can determine the presence of an allergy by childhood condition after adding the mixture. In this case, characteristic symptoms arise:

1. Regurgitation after feeding, more than 1-2 times.
2. Restless sleep.
3. The appearance of constipation or diarrhea.
4. Rhinitis and cough not associated with a cold.
5. Labored breathing.

At the same time, the baby often cries, is restless, and irritable. Mom can easily determine that he is not healthy.

Diagnostic methods

Initially, you need to contact a specialist. In this case it will help pediatric allergist or pediatrician. After visual inspection and the mother’s complaints, certain tests are prescribed.

Allergy tests help identify the irritant. After the doctor has diagnosed the allergen, he prescribes a diet for the baby.

The dangers of self-diagnosis

Recognizing allergies is not always easy. Incorrect self-diagnosis can cause serious complications. In addition, if the irritant is not eliminated in time, there is a threat to the life and health of the baby.

Medical examination

Often, when an allergy to the formula appears, parents do not know what to do. First of all, you need to see a doctor. Visually, a specialist can determine the type of rash and the cause of its appearance.

Finding the problem

Irritants surround the newborn everywhere: Sun rays, food, medicine, washing powders, hygiene products. Most parents have no idea what their child may be allergic to. Even the most ordinary foods can be an allergen. When looking for a problem, you should exclude all irritants from your diet.

You won't be able to find the source of the problem on your own. Therefore, the help of a doctor and examination are necessary.

How not to confuse the signs of an allergy to formula milk with lactase deficiency?

A milk allergy manifests itself immediately, and characteristic symptoms are observed:

• itching, redness of the skin, rash;
• allergic dermatitis;
• flatulence;
• diarrhea or constipation.

Lactase deficiency is characterized by the fact that your health worsens depending on the amount of milk you drink. Allergies appear when the slightest amount milk protein in organism.

Treatment of pathology

For treatment to be effective, the irritant must initially be identified. He is eliminated from children's diet and prescribe an individual diet. To get rid of rash, itching, rhinitis and cough, antihistamines and corticosteroid ointments are prescribed.

For infants, there is a very limited list of approved medications. According to the instructions, antihistamines can be taken from 6 months of age. Therefore, the doctor prescribes drug therapy individually.

Medicines for infants

For children under one year old, there are antihistamines in the form fruit syrups or drops. Fenistil can be taken by children from 3 months. Zyrtec, Peritol, Erius - for children from 6 months. If you choose treatment with tablets, then they are dissolved in water before use. The doctor should determine how much medication to give, taking into account the baby’s condition.

ethnoscience

You should use the products very carefully traditional medicine. Newborn babies often suffer from herbal allergies. Baths with a decoction of chamomile and string are considered safe. These plants very rarely cause allergies. Help relieve itching and inflammation of the skin. But it is not recommended to treat a baby yourself in this way.

What to feed a baby with a milk allergy?

In the case of breastfeeding or mixed feeding, the child chooses soy or lactose-free formulas. For such children, complementary foods are introduced earlier. Vegetable purees begin at 3.5 months. Porridge is gradually given at 4.5 months, but it is prepared in water. At six months, a child can be introduced to complementary foods with meat. It is important to consider that beef is prohibited, as it increases the manifestation of allergies. Can be replaced dietary meat rabbit or turkey.

When and is it possible to introduce complementary foods with fermented milk mixture?

Fermented milk products can be given without sugar and not often. It is important to observe the baby’s reaction. Be sure to write down all new products in your diary.

Can be introduced as a third complementary food. The baby must be older than 7-8 months. At this age, enzymes are already produced that help break down lactic acid products.

If you are allergic to all baby formulas, what should you do?

IN modern world There are a large number of infant formulas. If a child suffers from allergies, he is prescribed a hypoallergenic mixture without lactose and gluten. If there is a reaction to all mixtures, the allergen is replaced with soy mixtures, vegetable purees and meat.

Probiotics

Pediatricians recommend mixtures with probiotics for better absorption in the intestines. They improve the condition of the flora and promote the development of lactic acid bacteria.

Prebiotics

May be prescribed as food additives. They help to better digest, recognize and assimilate food. In newborn babies, the intestines are not fully formed, so there are no beneficial bacteria.

Is there a hypoallergenic mixture that you are not allergic to?

Many mothers wonder: can there be an allergy to a hypoallergenic formula? Infants are not allergic to the hypoallergenic mixture without lactose or gluten. Various mixtures based on goat milk. The mixture is selected taking into account which irritant provokes the child’s allergy.

Features of choosing baby food

Before choosing a mixture or other food products, you first need to pay attention to the content and quality. This will help you learn to determine the appropriate mixture. You should trust trusted manufacturers who long time present on the market.

If you are allergic to milk, choose dairy-free formulas with probiotics or prebiotics. Fermented milk mixtures are considered good. They almost never cause allergies.

How to return from mixed nutrition to breastfeeding?

If there are no contraindications to breastfeeding, then you can only switch to it from a mixed diet gradually. First, one formula feeding is taken. A few days later another one. The night feeding is taken away next. Then artificial nutrition is completely eliminated.

The transition to such a diet should be gradual so that the baby gets used to lactation. It is also easier for the digestive system to gradually adjust to dietary changes.

Mom's diet

A nursing woman should adhere to hypoallergenic diet. From daily diet exclude the following allergens:

• milk;
• red fish and seafood;
• red vegetables, fruits, berries;
• nuts;
• chocolate, cocoa;
• sugar, honey

Mom's diet should contain a large amount of vitamins. Dishes must be boiled or steamed. Avoid drinking coffee, carbonated drinks, canned juices. You should drink a lot drinking water per day. It is recommended to create a nutrition system to control the supply of nutrients.

How to switch to formula when lactation stops?

The cessation of lactation should be gradual. This will help your child get used to it easier. artificial nutrition. Initially, the first feeding of the day is taken, and a few days later the second. Gradually they come to the point where they replace night feeding and completely switch to artificial feeding.

You can try giving your child different formulas. Children can be capricious and change their tastes. Therefore, if the baby does not want one formula, you should not stop and try feeding others.

Pros and cons of breast milk substitutes

It is important to understand that a woman does not always give up lactation of her own free will. This has its advantages:

• the baby receives hypoallergenic food;
• Mom doesn’t have to stick to a diet;
• A large selection of formulas will help replace breast milk as much as possible.

• the child does not have maternal immunity;
• artificial nutrition causes addiction to the bottle and nipple;
• the body is nourished by artificial rather than natural nutrients;
• Previously, you have to feed them with vegetable and fruit purees.

Hello, dear readers of my blog! We continue to discuss all sorts of issues regarding children's development. Today's conversation is intended primarily for those parents who... various reasons forced to practice artificial feeding. Let's discuss what an allergy to formula is in an infant, symptoms and your next steps.

Most often, such a reaction is a manifestation of the immaturity of the child’s digestive and immune systems. I hasten to reassure you, over time, most likely, it will completely pass. (Remember I told you that babies can outgrow a lot?) But we need to help the baby now, while she is here. So let's move on.

You will most likely define what an allergy is as follows: a rash due to intolerance to some product. Well, not really. Manifestations can be different, and your task is to recognize them in time. Let's look at everything possible signs, which may signal to you that the child’s body does not accept infant formula. So, how does an allergy to the mixture manifest itself?

• Rash. This is the most common signal from the child’s body about an unwanted product. Allergic rash most often causes severe itching, causing the baby to be nervous, capricious, and try to scratch disturbing areas. Rashes can appear on any part of the body. Most likely it will be:

1. - face or tummy;
2. - possibly - arms or legs;
3. - sometimes rashes on the back, bottom, and scalp of the baby.

• Regurgitation, and quite plentiful. Often, a small organism clearly demonstrates the rejection of any substances included in the mixture. If your baby regurgitates food frequently and profusely after each feeding, this is serious reason think about allergies. Moreover, if you are sure that the nipple on the bottle is suitable for the baby’s age, and he grasps it correctly, without swallowing air.
• Other gastrointestinal symptoms:

1. - bloating;
2. - colic;
3. - constipation;
4. - diarrhea.

• Runny nose. Respiratory runny nose looks like copious clear mucus. Therefore, if the baby is on artificial feeding, the appearance of such discharge without an increase in temperature should, first of all, make you suspect an allergy, and only then a cold.
• Cough. Without other cold symptoms, this is also a possible expression of an allergy.

Yes, one more thing. Sometimes a small organism demonstrates allergic manifestations for a reason that does not quite correspond to an allergy in the literal sense of the word. It happens that in this way he tries to inform adult parents that he receives food in excess quantities, which is difficult for him to cope with.

By overfeeding the baby, we overload his digestive system, including the liver. And everything that is digested beyond the norm is expressed by a rash or other symptoms. In this case, it is enough to reduce the amount of food so that everything returns to normal.

When is there a risk of such manifestations?

The possibility of allergic reactions cannot be excluded in any infant. But there are factors that increase the risk of its occurrence:

• - one or both parents have allergic reactions to foods, medications or other irritants;
• — during pregnancy, my mother suffered from some kind of viral disease and was treated with antibiotics;
• - the baby was born ahead of schedule;
• — in the first months of his life he himself underwent treatment for a viral disease;
• — the baby was born with developmental pathologies.

If one or more of these points is, as they say, “about you”, be prepared for allergies. By the way, sometimes they even appear on your own mother’s milk! Then choosing the right mixture is vital for the baby.

What shall we do?

If you notice any of the above symptoms in your baby, do not under any circumstances find out the cause on your own, trying to exclude any allergens (dust, fur, flowers), listening to the advice of friends or relatives, or giving any allergy medications.

Consult your doctor. Only he, after examining the baby and prescribing allergy tests, will be able to accurately determine that the little one is allergic to the mixture. Or rather, on some of its components, and mixtures contain many of them. A child’s body can react, for example, to:

• - protein cow's milk when using formula milk (most often);
• - one of the components of the complementary feeding mixture (if you have already introduced it);
• - goat milk protein (much less common, but also found);
• - protein of fermented milk mixture;
• - soy protein dairy-free formula etc.

Sometimes an allergic reaction does not appear immediately, but after some time. For example, you treated your baby with the mixture for a month, and everything was fine, and then it started to fall off. And you, of course, won’t think about allergies (you’ve fed them more than once, everything was fine). Cumulative allergies (and that’s exactly what they are) last much longer than usual.

So, if an allergy is established, the next step is to treat it. The doctor will tell you what to do for this. He may prescribe antihistamines for your little one, which will reduce the severity of external manifestations. These may be suitable for your age:

1. — suspensions;
2. - syrups;
3. - emulsions.

To eliminate skin manifestations, your pediatrician may recommend:

• - ointments;
• - “talk bottles” (they are made in a pharmacy according to a prescription based on zinc, talc or diphenhydramine and are not stored for a long time);
• — herbal baths (chamomile, string);
• — adherence to hygiene rules (do not pick up the baby with unwashed hands, do not actively dry him with a towel after bathing, so as not to damage the rash, if it is profuse, put on “scratchies” and swaddle him so that he does not comb himself, clean his nose from mucus and crusts).

In addition, dear mothers, remember that relieving symptoms alone will not solve the problem. If the baby continues to receive the mixture, the reaction will not go away. Therefore, the doctor will recommend that you replace the mixture that caused the negative reaction with another that does not contain the identified allergens. This will be a hypoallergenic or adapted mixture.

For example, “Nestozhen”, “Nan” or “Baby”. They contain special components that are “facilitated” for digestion by a weakened body. But let me remind you that he will select them for you only if he knows exactly the specific allergens.

Once again, I want to remind you: do not try to figure out the cause of any symptoms (even if it is not allergic signs) there is no need to express it - you can only harm a tiny, fragile organism.

I already told you once that for mothers of infants there are no unimportant problems. Don't be afraid to bother your pediatrician for the sake of your baby's health and well-being. His a good appetite, deep sleep, proper development will be your best reward.

Ventilate the room more often, take the fry for more walks fresh air, give him air baths, do not introduce complementary foods ahead of time. This will help the little body get stronger faster and resist not only allergies, but also many other diseases.

That seems to be all for today. If I missed something, don't hesitate to ask questions. I will be glad if you share own experience: what were you allergic to, how did you fight it, how did you boost your immunity.

Your advice can also help young mothers not to get confused and not “panic” with or without reason. Tell your friends about my blog who might find my advice useful - I will be grateful to you. Goodbye, my dears!

As is known, better nutrition for a newborn baby is his mother's milk. Unfortunately, not every young mother has the opportunity to breastfeed her child. For some women, lactation stops very quickly, while others have so little milk that they are forced to feed the baby with special baby food.

In addition, there are situations in which a young mother cannot feed her newborn with her milk due to certain diseases or taking certain medications.

One way or another, the question of choosing an adapted milk formula quite often arises before women and their young children.

Finding the right food for your baby can be extremely difficult. Newborn children, especially those under one year of age, are very susceptible to various allergic reactions.

Often the cause of such sensitivity is a mixture that the baby cannot tolerate.

By what signs this can be determined, and what to do in such a situation, we will tell you in our article.

How does an allergy to the mixture manifest itself?

An allergy to the mixture may manifest itself as various symptoms. As a rule, a baby who eats food that is inappropriate for him develops a rash on his different areas bodies. The cheeks turn red, become shiny, and may become covered with unpleasant crusts. In most cases, such signs appear the very first.

A little later they are joined by allergic manifestations from gastrointestinal tract. The baby may begin to be bothered by intestinal colic, constipation, diarrhea, unstable stool, as well as frequent regurgitation and vomiting. Finally, in severe cases of the disease, when contact with the allergen does not stop for a long time, problems occur in the respiratory system - allergic rhinitis, shortness of breath, difficulty breathing.

Causes of allergies

In newborn babies, allergies can manifest themselves to great amount various products, so any new complementary foods in the diet infant must be administered with extreme caution.

Typically intolerance certain food cause the following reasons:

• Imperfection of the mucous membrane of the gastrointestinal tract. For this reason, protein molecules that enter the baby’s body with food are not broken down well enough and enter the bloodstream in the form of fairly large fragments. Such elements can be perceived by the immune system as foreign, resulting in allergic reactions. In particular, with nutrition, the baby’s body often receives cow’s milk protein, which the immature digestive system cannot break down;
• Low activity digestive enzymes responsible for digesting food entering the child’s stomach;
• Dysbacteriosis and any disturbances of intestinal microflora;
• Insufficient functioning of the immune system and lack of its own immunoglobulins.

What to do if your child is allergic to formula?

Of course, if you notice the first symptoms of an allergic reaction in a newborn baby, you should consult a doctor. This is due to the fact that quite serious childhood diseases, in particular, such as chickenpox, rubella or measles, can be hidden under the guise of allergies, and parents without medical education They cannot always correctly diagnose their son or daughter.

A qualified doctor will conduct an in-person examination of the baby and, if necessary, prescribe additional examinations that will accurately determine what exactly caused such a reaction on the part of the child’s body. If the doctor determines that the child is actually experiencing manifestations of an allergic reaction, and the allergen is the formula for artificial feeding, most likely it will have to be replaced.

At mild flow disease, the pediatrician may recommend reducing the single and daily amount of food consumed, but in most cases such a measure does not completely eliminate all symptoms. In addition, to eliminate unpleasant manifestations allergies and relief of the baby’s condition, doctors usually prescribe an appointment antihistamines approved for newborns, for example, Fenistil or Zyrtec drops.

Reddened and inflamed skin, which itches and does not allow the child to sleep peacefully, can be lubricated with La-Cri cream or emulsion.

How to choose an adapted milk formula?

Typically, an allergy to formula occurs when consuming baby food based on cow's milk.

If you are faced with the need to replace this product, use the following recommendations:

• Judging by the reviews of young mothers, the most common problem is negative reaction after consuming food from the Russian manufacturer “Malyutka”. However, an allergy to this type of mixture is not necessary. This does not mean at all that this product will not suit your particular child, but it is still better not to experiment;
• Eating goat milk causes individual intolerance much less frequently. Of the most common mixtures of this type, we can recommend “Nanny”. Try a goat's milk protein product, Nanny, if your son or daughter is allergic to other types of formula;
• In some cases, you can try switching to baby food, containing probiotics. In addition, these substances can be additionally consumed in the form of various biologically active additives for children;
• Also, if you have allergies, fermented milk mixtures are easier to tolerate. They contain cow's milk proteins in a curdled state. Once in the tiny stomach, they stimulate the activation of enzyme production, and therefore are better digested and absorbed by the body;
• There are also various variations, cooked on soy milk. They extremely rarely cause allergic reactions, but they contain much less vitamins and useful minerals. In addition, such baby food has low nutritional properties, therefore, most likely, the baby will not eat up the usual amount of milk;
• Hydrolysates, or hypoallergenic mixtures, which are in the line of any well-known manufacturer, are prepared using partially digested protein. As a rule, they are easily tolerated by the immature tiny organism and do not provoke allergic reactions;
• Finally, in the most extreme cases, when all of the above options are not suitable, use an elemental mixture. It does not contain proteins, but a set of amino acids that, in principle, are not capable of causing allergies.

How long does it take for an allergy to the mixture to appear?

Many mothers mistakenly believe that the cause of allergic reactions in their newborn baby cannot be the food that he has been eating for two or three months. In reality, this is not true at all. Various manifestations allergies can occur at any time.

Instructions

From birth, the baby's digestive and immune systems are not fully developed. Therefore, the most suitable for the child is mother's milk. It is easily digestible and replenishes the lack of protective antibodies. Artificial mixtures cannot cope with these tasks. The baby’s body reacts with an allergy to foreign proteins contained in the milk formula.

The age at which its first symptoms appear varies. But mostly this happens by the second or third month of life. This allergy may manifest itself differently in each child.

If the skin is involved in the process, the child will experience skin reactions. They are the most common symptoms allergies to the mixture. The baby's cheeks may turn red, the skin on them becomes shiny and inflamed, and some areas are covered with a crust.

A rash appears on various areas body, causing discomfort to the child. The rash mainly affects the neck, tummy, thighs or buttocks. The baby shows anxiety, is capricious, and rubs the affected areas.

Skin manifestations often include localized areas of dry, rough, and flaky skin. In these cases, you should not use any baby creams or lotions to soften them. They contain substances that can provoke an increase in allergic reaction.

An allergy to the mixture can also manifest itself as gastrointestinal symptoms. In this case, the child often spits up mixture or air, and severe hiccups appear. The intestines may react with problems with stool. The child begins to suffer from either diarrhea or constipation. And sometimes, even with normal stool, allergies are expressed by bloating and severe colic.

Allergic reactions to the mixture on the part of the baby's respiratory system are less common. They are expressed in the form respiratory symptoms. The child has a cough or runny nose in the form of clear mucus. The temperature remains normal. Do not ignore such symptoms. This characteristic feature allergies.

The point is that when allergic inflammation mucus forms in large quantities. It accumulates in the bronchi or nasal cavities. Underdeveloped respiratory system The baby cannot cope with so much mucus on her own. Therefore, if you experience signs of breathing problems, consult your doctor immediately.

It is very important not to review and timely diagnose the development of food allergies in a child. To do this, carefully monitor the baby’s well-being, his stool and the condition of his skin. If at least one of the allergy symptoms appears, this is a reason to consult a doctor. It is very important to correctly diagnose the disease and begin treatment on time to prevent allergies from developing into more serious diseases.

An unnatural reaction due to food is observed in half of children with allergies. It manifests itself especially often in children under one year of age. Where does the disease originate, what does it look like and what methods can be used to combat it?

From this article you will learn:

Predisposition plays a primary role. Inherited by children who have both parents with allergies (up to 80%), one parent with allergies (up to 40%), healthy parents (up to 20%). Often the immune system develops as the child grows older. Adaptation to allergens occurs, antibodies are formed and symptoms weaken or disappear.

The second factor is the immature digestive system. In a newborn, its formation occurs gradually. In babies, the mucous membrane of the digestive organs is extremely permeable. And the production of enzymes capable of breaking down the antigen is still poorly established. Consumption of unnatural products leads to an outbreak of allergies to infant formula.

4/5 of baby dry food is made from milk or whey from cows. Their milk proteins are perceived by the child's body as foreign. Antibodies are being produced, but they do not yet have the intelligence to deal with the enemy. Instead they enter with foreign proteins into the association. The resulting immunocomplexes destroy cell membranes. It’s not very pleasant for a child’s liver either. Her barrier functions She’s still immature, but she has to take the blow.

The main reason for a baby's allergy to formula is not the formula itself, but the amount of it consumed. Babies of the first year of life eat as much as they can fit, exceeding the necessary and sufficient nutritional standards. If during artificial feeding you are guided by the completion of the meal at the child’s initiative, then he may overeat by about a quarter.

How it manifests itself

An allergy to the formula in an infant may appear almost immediately after consumption (from half an hour to two hours) or 24-48 hours later.

Manifestations:

• Skin rashes - urticaria, dermatitis, rash around oral cavity, on the scalp, cheekbones, neck, forearms, in skin folds, behind ears. They may later spread to other areas of the body. Shine, redness and crusting are evident. The spots may have a plaque-like shape.
• Itchy inflammation or weeping eczema . They look like papules on the cheeks, back, external genitalia, buttocks, and legs. Children try to comb them and become irritable and whiny.
• Difficulty breathing - cough, runny nose with clear discharge, rhinitis, shortness of breath. Very dangerous in young children. After all, they still have poor control of their breathing. While eating, babies cannot breathe through their mouths when their noses are clogged.
• Digestive system disorders. For example, bloating, regurgitation, vomiting, diarrhea, constipation. Symptoms of this group occur in many viral diseases. But, if there is only an allergy to the mixture, then there is no fever.

TOP 6 ways to combat allergies to formula in a baby

You only need to take two steps: identify the allergen and refuse contact with it. But you have to check many conditions.

Relief of symptoms

At skin manifestations Scratching should be avoided to avoid infection (wear anti-scratch pads, swaddle with arms). Baby moisturizers are used to reduce dryness and flaking. To make breathing easier, you need to remove mucus from the nasal passages with an aspirator, cotton wool, or a syringe without a needle.

If you have hives due to formula milk, accompanied by shortness of breath or intestinal upset, call your local pediatrician or an ambulance. The doctor will examine the baby and prescribe treatment. Complex cases require hospitalization.

Finding the problematic source

It is important to make sure that the mixture is the culprit. A doctor will help you figure it out. Here is the verification algorithm:

• Examination by a pediatrician, identification of a rash of allergic origin;
• Elimination of contact dermatitis on children's cosmetics, diapers, washing powder;
• Elimination of reactions to medications and food (herbal teas, complementary foods, errors in the mother’s diet during mixed feeding).

The composition of formulas for children from six months includes cereal crops. Or maybe rashes from dry food in a newborn are precisely because of them. A reaction to gluten is very common. It is not found in buckwheat, rice, or corn. It happens that a child’s body is “stormed” by several other allergens at once.

Thanks to molecular diagnostics it is possible to identify allergies to components of the nutritional composition. Allergy tests are carried out in laboratories. If you still have a reaction to the mixture, then you need to choose the tactics described below.

Down with provocateurs

You need to monitor how intensely the baby sweats. At increased sweating development is provoked allergic dermatitis. Therefore, you need to dress for a walk according to the weather and not bundle up at home. External contacts should also be reduced. Swimming in chlorinated water has a negative effect.

Less is better

At overweight For your baby, you can add a smaller amount of dry matter at each feeding. This will reduce the percentage of allergen and stop the fermentation of excess food in the intestines.

Replacing the mixture

The transition to a new product is carried out at least three days in advance, preferably two weeks, so that addiction develops. Obviously, the allergy to the mixture of the previous sample remains. Otherwise, the baby may simply refuse to drink the life-saving option. With a sharp transition, digestive system disorders may worsen.

• fermented milk;
• with prebiotics;
• with probiotics.

Taking such compounds improves conditions for the proliferation of lactic acid bacteria in the intestines. Fermented milk representatives consist of partially split lactose with protein. They are easier to digest and are less likely to cause negative reactions.

Compositions with goat milk or soy

They account for only 1/5 of total number mixtures. Goat's milk protein is less than cow's milk. It is easier to crush and digest. The nutritional value soy protein significantly lower than that found in milk. After all, he belongs to plant type. It is less easily digested and absorbed.

Usually soy mixtures Use for several months until the allergy completely disappears. This food is not as tasty as dairy food. Up to 17% of children react negatively to soy protein.

Rice mixture

It does not contain fats of animal origin. Therefore, special additives are introduced into the baby’s diet to compensate for the missing substances.

Hypoallergenic compositions

In them, the protein is partially, completely or replaced. In the first and second cases they receive prophylactic, and in the third - medicinal mixtures. In the last example, allergies with hypoallergenic mixtures are almost excluded. For prevention, nutrition is prescribed to children at risk.

At mild degree rashes, you can also use preventive products. Representatives: NAS hypoallergenic, Frisolak GA, Hipp NA.

The treatment group is divided into three types:

• Serum - do not cause relapses, but sometimes support existing symptoms (Alfare, Nutrilak Pepti STC, Pepticate).
• Casein – more complete breakdown of protein. For those who are not suitable for serum types (Nutromigen, Frisopep AS, Pregestimil).
• Elemental mixtures - proteins are replaced with amino acids. Indicated for severe disease. Disadvantage: they do not contribute to the production of their own protective bodies to allergens.

Transition to breastfeeding

With mixed feeding, you can leave only breastfeeding. This eliminates diathesis from dry milk substitute. The process should be adjusted so that the baby has enough milk. The return to the breast should be gradual so that lactation has time to approach the usual portion of food. Artificial children cannot be deprived of a substitute without providing an alternative.

In parallel with the main methods of treatment, the allergist can prescribe the biological product "Enterol" in capsules. The pediatrician may prescribe complex therapy Enterosgel preparations or Zyrtec drops. It will take from a week to a month until the effect of treatment becomes noticeable. Delaying treatment is fraught with the development atopic dermatitis, chronic rhinitis, bronchial asthma.

Knowing about the baby’s predisposition to allergies and the developmental characteristics of the child’s body, you can prevent or reduce its symptoms. Having seen the manifestations, use the TOP 6 ways to combat it. In order to exclude serious consequences, seek the help of a doctor immediately.