Diathesis in infants

Allergic diathesis in infants isanomaly of the constitution (individual anatomical and physiological features). It arises as a result of the predisposition of the body to inflammatory and allergic diseases. Diathesis is an inadequate response of the body to external influences.

It is important to remember that diathesis in infants is not a disease, but a condition that shows the predisposition of the body to certain diseases. If you do not identify the cause of diathesis, then it may well go into an allergic disease or skin disease (dermatitis, eczema, etc.).

The nature of diathesis has not yet been thoroughly studied by scientists, but there are several factors that influence the development of diathesis in infants. The first factor is heredity. Diathesis in infants is more common in families where parents or close relatives suffer from allergic diseases.

The second group of factors is related to pregnancy. Toxicosis, taking certain medications, eating disorders during pregnancy can "start" diathesis.

The third group of factors "comes into play" after the birth of the child. it malnutrition (for example, if a breast-feeding mother uses potential allergens) and environmental factors (ranging from dust and ending with diapers).

Diathesis in infants can be manifested in different ways. So, exudative-catarrhal diathesis manifested in the form of seborrhea on the scalp, diaper rash, redness and flaking of the cheek skin (the so-called milk scab), increased vulnerability of the mucous membranes. Lymphatic-hypoplastic diathesis characterized by an increase in lymph nodes, dysfunction of the adrenal gland, a tendency to infectious and allergic diseases. Nervous-arthritic diathesis in infants, it is almost impossible to diagnose, usually it occurs at school age.

But most often under diathesis in infantsimply exudative-catarrhal diathesis - because of the brightness of external manifestations. It is the characteristic symptoms of diathesis that are the cause of the common mistake of many parents. They treat only external manifestations (skin problems), while It is necessary to find out the cause of the manifestation of diathesis and not to allow it to flow into one of the possible diseases.

One of the most important components treatment of diathesis in infants is the proper nutrition of the nursing mother, becauseoften diathesis is a reaction to food. Some standard diet ("here it can be eaten, but it's impossible") does not exist, because allergic reactions to food are very individual. You just need to try to eat balanced, limit the amount of fat, carbohydrates, salt and various allergens in the diet (a list of highly allergenic foods you can find in the article "Hypoallergenic diet"). When diathesis in infants recommended breastfeeding (no mixtures). The lure can be entered not earlier than the child was six months old.

Very important keep cleanliness in the room: daily wet cleaning is necessary. The room should not have dust and down pillows. Make sure that diapers, powder, detergent powder do not cause the baby allergic reactions.

Also the pediatrician can appoint drug treatment: drugs to reduce itching, sedatives and vitamins. As local treatment, lotions, ointments and baths are used with decoctions of herbs (cords, celandine, oak bark) or potassium permanganate. All medicines should be prescribed only by a doctor after the examination, self-medication can not be done!

Diathesis in infants can be prevented. The most important thing - to observe the correct diet during pregnancy and lactation. Food should be varied, there is a need formeasure - not too much and not too little. It is necessary to reduce consumption of "fast" carbohydrates (for example, baking), but salads, boiled meat and sour-milk products are only welcomed.

Do not lean on food allergens. This does not mean that you need to completely exclude them from the diet. Just it's important to know the measure. It's one thing to eat one mandarin once a week, and quite another - there are mandarins kilograms.

It is very important to cure diathesis in time, so that it does not develop into a more serious disease. But do not self-medicate - diathesis in infants should be treated only by a doctor!