Allergy during breastfeeding: causes, treatment, diet
How allergy manifests in infants
Allergy is a pathological reaction of the body to various substances of a foreign nature. Clinically, such reactions are expressed in the form of allergic diseases: atopic dermatitis, food allergies, urticaria, allergic rhinitis, Quincke’s disease, bronchial asthma. Allergic diseases have turned into “diseases of civilization” long time ago. The most noticeable increase in the number of allergy patients among children of the first year of life.
One of the reasons for allergy in an infant is early refusing of the mother’s breast or the lack of breastfeeding. In this case, a baby does not receive the necessary protective elements with breast milk. You will learn about other causes of allergic diseases, and how to treat allergies in an infant, from our article.
Causes of allergy in infants
The immediate cause of an allergy is a child’s contact with an allergen, a foreign substrate.
One of the factors contributing to the development of allergic diseases is genetic predisposition. If one of the parents has an allergy, then the probability of its occurrence in a child is 60–70 %, if both parents have such a diagnosis, then the probability of the occurrence of an allergic disease increases to 90 %. The early development of allergic diseases in children is also facilitated by the unjustified use of antimicrobial drugs, especially in the first months of life. Mother’s bad habits (alcohol drinking, drug abuse, smoking) increase the risk of developing allergic diseases in a child. The question whether the diet of a pregnant woman affects the development of allergic disease in a child is still unclear.
- skin sloughing;
- various types of rash;
- diaper rash;
- voluminous psseting;
- nasal blockage;
- difficulty in breathing;
- unformed stool;
- Quincke’s disease (very rarely).
Allergy while breastfeeding
Allergy to breast milk is usually associated with the diet of a nursing mother. In 85 % of cases, food allergens are: cow milk, fish and seafood, eggs, wheat, soy, hazelnuts, peanuts, honey. At the first signs of an allergy in a baby, a nursing mother should write down the names of the foods she has consumed on a daily basis to determine what the baby is having an allergic reaction to. She should show the list of products to an allergologist.
Cow milk protein (CMP) can also cause allergy.
Three groups of reactions to CMP are distinguished:
- skin reaction;
- respiratory effects;
- gastrointestinal symptoms (diarrhea, vomiting).
The symptoms of atopic dermatitis may arise in 1–5 days after a food challenge.
Diet in case of allergy
Since the allergy during breastfeeding can be associated with inaccuracies in the nutrition of a nursing mother, it is necessary to completely exclude foods that cause an allergic reaction in the baby from mother’s diet. We recommend consulting a doctor to determine the components of the diet.
- milk and milk products;
- eggs;
- fish, seafood;
- chicken;
- peanuts, nuts;
- citrus fruit;
- vegetables, fruit and red berries;
- honey.
Diet for allergy is one of the main components of prevention and treatment of allergic diseases. Pharmacological therapy for allergic diseases in an infant should be prescribed by a doctor.
- introduce complementary foods only after consulting a pediatric physician;
- choose hypoallergenic products for child care;
- wash child’s clothes with special washing liquids;
- carefully monitor the reaction of the baby’s body after the introduction of a new product;
- maintain optimal temperature and humidity in the child’s room.
By following these recommendations, you can reduce the risk of allergic diseases in an infant.
Author of the article: Aleksey Rykov, M.D.
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