The child has diathesis for 1 month. Diathesis in children: causes, symptoms, treatment. Antihistamines against diathesis

Children alone can do everything - fall asleep cuddled with pets, smell any flowers, not limit themselves to their favorite fruits and sweets. For others, it’s enough to eat an extra piece of candy, and this cute oversight becomes the cause of diathesis. Most parents are sure that its manifestations are an allergic reaction of the body, but this is not so. Allergy is a disease, and diathesis is a predisposition to a disease.

In pediatrics, the definition of diathesis should be understood as a whole range of anomalies associated with the characteristics of the body in the form of inadequate perception of external stimuli. Therefore, it is impossible to call this condition a disease. This is just a predisposition to chronic diseases, which, depending on various factors (emotional family situation, quality of nutrition, child care, etc.) may not manifest themselves in the future.

Pediatricians distinguish three types of diathesis:

1. Neuro-arthritic.

2. Lymphatic-hypoplastic.

3. Exudative-catarrhal.

The listed types of pathologies are often found in a mixed version, that is, the child simultaneously shows signs of several types of diathesis, but among them one prevails.

It is more correct to consider this condition as a hereditary factor, since the child receives from his parents certain genetic information regarding the characteristics of metabolism and immunity, as well as the functioning of the endocrine system.

A child's body cannot be compared with an adult - all systems and organs work differently in children. This may explain their increased sensitivity to external stimuli, especially at an early age.

It turns out that all types of diathesis are specific conditions that manifest themselves at a certain age. If predisposing conditions appear for disruption of the immune system, for example, a psycho-emotional stressful situation, errors in nutrition, then the child’s body undergoes diathesis.

Some children “pass” through this condition without any complications for their own health, while others acquire a chronic disease after several years. It is quite possible to prevent the transition of diathesis into disease; the main thing is to follow the recommendations of an experienced pediatrician.

Treatment of neuro-arthritic diathesis

This is one of the most dangerous types of diathesis that affects infants. It develops against the background of a hereditary factor. This pathological condition is characterized by disruption of metabolic processes in the body, complemented by increased nervous excitability.

The main signs of neuro-arthritic diathesis are: psycho-emotional lability, sleep disturbances, nervous tics, convulsions and characteristic rashes on the face. Symptoms become more pronounced due to stress and during the child’s illness.

Treatment options include the following:

1. Help from a psychotherapist , the purpose of which is to diagnose and treat a young patient, solve his adaptation problems in society, and corrective work together with parents. The duration of a specialist’s work is individual and completely depends on the current situation.

2. Drug treatment, aimed at correcting the pathological condition and taking into account the physiological characteristics of the child. If nervous excitability predominates, the pediatrician may prescribe light sedatives and sedatives, usually of herbal origin. By the way, to reduce the severity of signs of diathesis on the cheeks, the doctor may recommend an ointment containing birch tar.

3. Diet food, consisting of products that do not contain oxalic acid and purine bases. Stimulating foods and drinks such as coffee, chocolate, etc. are prohibited.

To prevent this situation, it is important to take timely treatment and preventive measures aimed at the child’s recovery.

1. Therapeutic baths. To prepare them, you need non-chlorinated water - boiled or pre-settled, so that there is no additional irritation on the child’s skin. A hygienic bath perfectly cleanses children's skin. To improve its medicinal properties, you can add an infusion of string, oak bark, chamomile or sage to the prepared water. Traditional methods have successfully proven themselves in the fight against exudative-catarrhal diathesis.

2. Local drug treatment non-hormonal and hormonal drugs, depending on the doctor’s recommendations. Creams and ointments containing hormones (for example, Elokom and Advantan) provide a good therapeutic effect, but their uncontrolled use in young children is fraught with complications. The same can be said about non-hormonal drugs if they are used without supervision from a specialist. If the skin is inflamed, no medicinal cream can be applied to it; only careful use of light products in the form of aerosols and emulsions is allowed.

3. Maximum exclusion of allergens from the child’s environment - dust, pets, unsafe food, etc.

Traditional methods of treating diathesis

Often, treatment with traditional medicine can be a worthy alternative to medications. Recipes that have been tested for more than a century allow us to be confident in their results and the absence of side effects.

1. Products for external use.

Baths with the addition of herbal decoctions and extracts will calm the inflammatory process on the child’s skin, improve the regeneration of affected tissue, and dry out existing wounds. The following recipes are used for therapeutic water procedures:

1. Seed grass in the amount of 4 tbsp. spoon, brew 1 liter of boiling water and infuse for several hours. The finished infusion is added to the bathing water.
2. Peel and grate 5 raw potatoes, then place the vegetable mixture in 5 liters of boiling water. Immediately turn off the heat and leave the potato broth for 15 minutes. Then strain the liquid and pour it into warm water for bathing the child. Baths with potato broth should be carried out daily for 5 days until the manifestations of diathesis are relieved.
3. To prepare a medicinal bath, take 5 parts of nettle, 4 parts of string and chamomile, 3 parts each of horsetail, thyme and knotweed, 2 parts of oregano. Pour boiling water over the prepared herbs, steep and add to bathing water.

After the bath, gently pat your baby's skin dry with a soft towel.

Ointments based on folk recipes help eliminate symptoms in children with pronounced signs of diathesis:

1. Take 50 g of birch tar, spruce resin and lard, 30 g of propolis and a homemade chicken egg. Melt the solid ingredients, combine them and cool the mixture to room temperature. After this, slowly add the beaten egg into the future ointment and mix thoroughly until smooth. The product will be oily; it should be applied in a thin layer several times a day to damaged parts of the body;
2. Mix 4 teaspoons of baby cream and 2 teaspoons of fir oil, and lubricate the skin affected by diathesis with the resulting ointment.

2. Products for internal use.

1. Take chopped fresh cabbage, parsley and dill in equal proportions and add a small amount of water to them. Boil over low heat for 10 minutes. Give children the resulting decoction as often as possible for 5 days.
2. Peel the boiled egg, dry the shell and grind it to flour. To treat diathesis in children under 1 year old, you need to take ground shells on the tip of a knife and 5 drops of lemon juice. For a child aged 1-2 years, the dosage is doubled. For children over 2 years old, the amount of product is tripled. Give the shells with lemon juice daily, once a day, for 3 months.

Such simple folk methods will help cope with the problem.

How to live with diathesis?

Of course, only a doctor can prescribe drug intervention. But we must not forget about a number of rules, observing which, you can prevent the child’s condition from worsening and help him with any type of diathesis.

1. It is important to control the children's diet, avoiding obvious allergens in the diet. If a woman is breastfeeding, she should also monitor her own diet.

2. It is important to properly care for your child’s skin. Clothes and diapers must be clean and made from fabrics of natural origin. Detergents for washing children's clothes should be hypoallergenic, without aggressive detergent additives.

• It is advisable to bathe children in boiled water, trying to use soap, shampoos and other caring cosmetics less often.
• There is no need to get carried away with adding all kinds of herbal decoctions from traditional medicine to bathing water, such as string, sage, etc. Children who are prone to increased susceptibility may develop an allergic reaction to these, albeit harmless, additives.
• After completing the water procedures, the child’s skin needs to be moisturized with specific products, but you should not select them yourself - it is better to trust your pediatrician in this matter.

3. It is important to protect children as much as possible from all kinds of allergens. To do this, it is necessary to regularly carry out wet cleaning of the room and ventilation. It is also advisable to get rid of things that accumulate a lot of dust - carpets, soft toys, etc.

You should pay attention to the temperature and humidity levels in the room where the child lives. Temperature values ​​in the room should be between 19-21 degrees Celsius, humidity approximately 50-70%.

Thanks to this, it is possible to prevent overheating of the child’s body and its subsequent dehydration, which negatively affects the well-being of children suffering from diathesis.

Diathesis is not an independent disease. This is a predisposition to the development of various pathologies. You cannot influence the natural feature of the body, but you can minimize the risk of its manifestation and prevent possible complications.

Useful video about diathesis in children

Update: October 2018

Diathesis translated from Greek means “inclination.” Currently, diathesis is not classified as a specific disease, but is considered a special condition of the child’s body with:

• hereditary predisposition;
• undulating course, with periods of remission and exacerbation;
• a tendency to certain diseases: allergies, respiratory infections, seizures, metabolic disorders, immunological abnormalities.

Diathesis can most often be observed on the baby’s cheeks.

Thus, diathesis is an anomaly of the child’s constitution, which determines the characteristics of his adaptive reactions and predisposition to certain diseases, not least of which are allergic manifestations on the skin and in the respiratory system. What, in the classical understanding of most parents, appears under the guise of diathesis is nothing more than skin manifestations of an allergic variant of diathesis.

Causes of allergic diathesis

It is difficult to single out one cause of diathesis - as a rule, it develops under the combined influence of several causes, the most important of which is hereditary predisposition, as well as:

• poor nutrition of a woman during pregnancy (abuse of products containing a lot of harmful chemical additives);
• abuse of allergenic foods by a pregnant woman (chocolate, citrus fruits, strawberries, nuts, milk, eggs, honey);
• chronic diseases of the mother, infections affecting the course of pregnancy;
• taking antibiotics and other drugs during pregnancy;
• toxicosis during pregnancy;
• complete absence of breastfeeding or its early termination;
• transfer to artificial formulas, when either cow's milk protein becomes an allergen for the child's body (see), or the vitamin complexes included in the mixtures cause allergies in the baby (see).

An allergic reaction in a baby can be caused by a food allergy, a contact reaction, or inhalation of toxic substances or allergens:

Respiratory diathesis

• an abundance of dust collectors in the room, rare wet cleaning of the room
• recently renovated or new furniture in the apartment
• presence of pets, birds, etc.
• use by family members of various deodorants, perfumes, air flavors, household chemicals (chlorine-containing cleaners and detergents, washing powders, etc.)
• Most toys and baby care items made in China emit foul odors, causing household poisoning.

Food allergies

Today, absolutely any product (substances, additives in the product) in a child or adult can cause an inadequate immune response - in an infant it depends on the mother’s diet or the introduction of complementary foods.

Contact diathesis

• bathing a child should use only hypoallergenic products; in the first 3 months, it is not advisable to use hot tap water for bathing; cold water should be heated or boiled
• Children’s clothes should not be washed with ordinary washing powders with a high content of surfactants and phosphates (these include the popular supposedly “children’s” powder Ushasty Nyan) see.
• The baby’s skin should come into contact only with cotton fabric, that is, avoid contact of synthetic and woolen fabric with the skin (wear a cotton cap under a synthetic hat, cotton clothes under a woolen sweater, etc.)
• Antibacterial wet wipes may cause an allergic reaction in children (see,).

Autoimmune diathesis

For example, increased sensitivity to ultraviolet radiation, high levels of immunoholobulins of class E and M, activation of lymphocytes, identification of antinuclear factors, that is, a tendency to systemic diseases.

Infectious-allergic diathesis

In which the trigger is a bacterial or viral infection of the upper respiratory tract, provoking the onset of inflammatory changes in the skin and mucous membranes.

Exudative-catarrhal diathesis

This is a tendency to pseudo-allergic reactions, infiltrates and desquamation of the skin and mucous membranes, and disturbances in water-salt metabolism. This type of diathesis is typical for large infants with loose and abundant subcutaneous tissue. They are prone to diaper rash, pasty skin, decreased skin tone, seborrhea of ​​the head, and digestive disorders. Often in such children there is an increase in several groups of lymph nodes and a tendency to secondary bacterial skin lesions.

Symptoms of diathesis

Manifestations of diathesis are varied and can be observed already in the first weeks of a baby’s life. They concern not only the skin reaction, but also the general condition of the child. Every mother should know what diathesis looks like, because... no one is immune from its development, but early correction of this condition helps stop the progression. It is necessary to differentiate diathesis from various etiologies, etc.

Skin symptoms

Lesions of the mucous membranes

• “Geographic tongue” is a characteristic lesion of the mucous membrane of the tongue in the form of a geographical map. The symptom occurs due to uneven desquamation of the cellular layer of the mucous membrane
• Damage to the gastrointestinal mucosa, manifested by unstable stool, dysbacteriosis, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain
• Damage to the mucous membrane of the respiratory tract: persistent,
• Damage to the mucous membrane of the eyes: allergic conjunctivitis
• Damage to the bladder mucosa: cystitis

General symptoms

• Unreasonable screaming and crying of a child
• Bad dream
• Loss of appetite

Other types of diathesis

Lymphatic diathesis

This is a failure of the lymphatic system due to low activity of the thymus gland. Along with an increase in lymph nodes, there is a decrease in the activity of the adrenal glands, a tendency to allergies and dermatitis. Including. infectious, caused by an insufficient immune response from the skin and mucous membranes in conditions of suppression of the production of immunoglobulins. Children with this constitutional anomaly are characterized by longer limbs and a relatively short body, enlarged lymph nodes, tonsils, and thymus. When the gland is excessively large, it can interfere with breathing. Children often suffer from anemia.

Neuro-arthritic diathesis

It provokes high nervous excitability and exhaustion. Children with this type of diathesis develop faster mentally, but are more exhausted and restless than their peers. A striking manifestation of this type of diathesis is acetonemic crises, which often frighten parents and force them to look for severe pathologies in the baby. A typical crisis caused by the accumulation of ketone bodies (acetone) in the blood is several episodes of vomiting, during which the child suddenly turns pale and falls into a sleepy, lethargic state, even to the point of loss of consciousness.

The trigger point is almost always stress or an error in the diet (a long period of hunger, a load of protein or fat). The release of anti-insulin hormones or a deficiency of sugars lead to a system of metabolic reactions, as a result of which an excess of ketone bodies (acetone, acetoacetic and beta-hydroxybutyric acids) floats in the blood. These substances have a depressing effect on the central nervous system (even to the point of coma), increase the tissue need for oxygen (provoke oxygen starvation of tissues, ischemia), spasm blood vessels, irritate the gastrointestinal mucosa (vomiting).

Children are prone to obesity, diabetes, and kidney pathologies. Impaired uric acid metabolism is a precursor to gout in adulthood.

Treatment

Treatment of diathesis is a serious problem; it does not always bring results, which largely depend on the actions of the parents. When diathesis appears, a nursing mother should first:

• go on a strict diet (water porridge, crackers) and watch the child’s reaction.
• bathe the child 2 times a day in an infusion of string, sage, or make starch baths, furatsilin or soda lotions.

Nutrition for a nursing mother

Diathesis in a baby is the mother’s addiction to sweets, smoked and sausages; even dairy products, fruits, and chicken consumed by a nursing mother can provoke diathesis in the baby (see). Modern production - antibiotics and feed for poultry and livestock, food additives in finished products, chemicals when growing vegetables and fruits, processing of meat, fruits and vegetables for further storage - saturate products with harmful substances that accumulate in the body and can cause an inadequate reaction in children.

Techniques to help reduce food allergenicity

• Cooking methods: boiling, steaming, baking.
• Soak cereals and vegetables in cold water for at least 10-12 hours before cooking.
• Boil the meat for 20 minutes in water, which should then be drained. The semi-finished product can be stewed or further cooked until cooked.
• When purchasing ready-made products, you should carefully read the ingredients: the fewer components there are, especially unknown ones, the better.

Proper feeding and care of a newborn

• breastfeeding as early as possible;
• exclusive breastfeeding for at least six months (WHO recommendation);
• compliance with a hypoallergenic diet by a nursing mother;
• when artificial feeding, careful selection of a mixture that does not give an allergic reaction (special medicinal mixtures based on hydrolysates, soy protein, fermented milk mixtures)
• properly organized complementary feeding (see). For the first introduction to vegetables (and this is at 5-6 months), zucchini, cauliflower, potatoes and turnips are suitable. Vegetables should be soaked for 12 hours in cold water, and only then puree them;
• gradual introduction of complementary foods, excluding the introduction of 2 different foods on the same day;
• tracking individual reactions to a product and excluding it from the diet - keeping a food diary;
• exclusion of previously known allergenic products and components from the diet.

Subsequently, during the transition of the baby to the adult table, you need to be very careful with typical allergenic foods, such as eggs, honey, nuts, red fruits and vegetables, and canned food. New foods are introduced into the diet in minute quantities, and the later the better.

Care

• frequent change of linen (bed and underwear);
• the use of neutral detergents for washing children's linen and clothes (see);
• regular toileting of the skin after urination and defecation;
• daily baths;
• excluding mother and child from taking a bath together;
• Using neutral skin care and wash products specifically designed for sensitive skin;
• regular nail cutting;
• minimizing household allergens in the child’s environment: animal hair, dust, soft toys...

General drug treatment

Antihistamines

• 1st generation allergy medications, in addition to their main effect, have a mild sedative effect, so they can be prescribed for severe anxiety in a child, insomnia, and constant crying. Prescribed for 10-14 days with a change of drug every 5 days. Drugs of choice: suprastin, tavegil, pipolfen.
• Antihistamines of the 2nd generation have a pronounced anti-allergenic effect, do not have hypnotic activity, and therefore can be prescribed for long-term use for 3-5 weeks. Drugs of choice: Claritin, Zyrtec, elastin (see).

Sedatives

For severe crying and anxiety, it may be prescribed

Probiotics

With concomitant, laboratory-confirmed dysbacteriosis, a course of one of the drugs is prescribed: Bifidumbacterin, Normobact, etc. (see).

Immunomodulators

Currently, the need to prescribe drugs that correct and enhance immunity is controversial and can be criticized by many doctors (see). The immune system in children is immature, regardless of whether he suffers from diathesis or not. The additional drug load on the already imperfect, weakened immunity in such children can lead to pathological reactions and the launch of autoimmune processes.

Local drug treatment

During periods of exacerbation of common diathesis, daily ten-minute baths are indicated:

• for weeping eczema with a slightly pink solution of potassium permanganate (potassium permanganate);
• for diaper rash with infusion of string, sage, starch. An herbal infusion is prepared by pouring 1 tbsp of boiling water over a glass. vegetable raw materials, infusion for 20 minutes and then adding the strained solution to a bath of water.
• To prepare a starch bath, 2 tbsp. starch is dissolved in 50 grams of cold water, added with two glasses of boiling water and the resulting starch jelly is poured into a bath of water.

After the bath, you should carefully lubricate the folds of the skin with pre-boiled and cooled vegetable oil.

• Furacillin lotions- for the treatment of allergic rashes, lotions in a concentration of 1/2 or 1/4 tablets of furatsilin per glass of water. The lotions are kept on the elements until they turn pale, periodically wetting the cotton wool in the solution.
• Soda lotions to relieve itching: 1 tsp. baking soda dissolves in a glass of chilled boiled water. Rubbing movements are not allowed - just gently apply the lotion to the inflamed skin.
• For dryness and flaking, it is enough to lubricate the skin with neutral emollient creams or baby oil.
• Ointment for diathesis - not understanding the etiology of the problem, many parents buy ointments on their own, relying on the fact that they will eliminate diathesis. This is fundamentally wrong. Ointment is only a symptomatic treatment of one of the manifestations of diathesis.

Non-hormonal ointments

• Guzhienko's paste (zinc + diphenhydramine) - ordered at the pharmacy, made from an alcohol solution of diphenhydramine and zinc paste.

Elidel (pimecrolimus) from 3 months, gently rubbed into the skin 2-3 times a day	Fenistil gel (dimetindene maleate) from 1 month, in a thin layer 2-3 times a day	Bepanten Dexpanthenol, 1-2 times a day
La-cree walnut extracts - licorice, string, bisabolol and panthenol.	Tsindol (zinc oxide)	Desitin (zinc oxide)

When a bacterial infection occurs

• Vishnevsky (xeroform, tar, castor oil)
• (methyluracil, chloramphenicol)
• Powder Xeroform

Scheduled vaccinations

Scheduled vaccinations can be carried out only 1 month after the fact of exacerbation of diathesis. During the pre-vaccination period (3 days before) and after vaccination, antihistamines are prescribed for 7-10 days.

Prevention of diathesis

A newborn with a history of allergies is immediately exposed to an allergic attack from the environment, so prevention of diathesis should be carried out in the prenatal period.

If a pregnant woman or her mother has a history of diathesis or has allergic pathologies, the most allergenic foods (chocolate, strawberries, honey, nuts, smoked meats, etc.) should be excluded from the diet. Under no circumstances should you smoke - not only is this a direct risk of intrauterine pathologies, smoking aggravates the allergic mood of the body.

Forecast

Diathesis that can be brought under control gradually fades away by 2-4 years. The child becomes resistant to previously dangerous allergens and tolerates cow protein, eggs, fruits, etc. well. Children whose diathesis proceeds without visible improvement, with constant periods of exacerbation, risk becoming allergy sufferers with severe immunodeficiency in the future.

Diathesis is type of allergy. A characteristic feature of the disease is the specific localization of the inflammatory process. Symptoms of an allergic reaction are concentrated on the skin of the child’s cheeks.

Diathesis on the cheeks has its own causes, treatment methods and certain risks of complications. Disease it is necessary to treat promptly, after consulting a dermatologist. We will talk about ways to treat diathesis on the cheeks of a child in the article.

Concept and characteristics

Diathesis on a child’s cheeks - photo:

Diathesis is a type of dermatitis and is allergic in nature. The risk group for the disease includes infants during their first feeding, but in older children the pathology is also not uncommon.

Diathesis on the cheeks is caused by a specific reaction of the child’s body to a specific irritant or allergen. The danger of this disease lies in the likelihood of acquiring a chronic form.

Types of diathesis on the cheeks in children:

• allergic form (develops against the background of weakened intestinal function);
• (an allergic reaction is associated with the child’s nervous system);
• (the disease is provoked by deviations of the endocrine system and some heart pathologies).

Causes

Factors that provoke diathesis in children of different ages differ. In infants, an allergic reaction may occur due to improper feeding in combination with weakness of the digestive system or immunity.

In this age category, the disease is a common accompaniment of changes in the baby’s diet. In older children, diathesis can be provoked not only some food, but also external factors.

Reasons The following factors can cause diathesis:

• the child’s tendency to frequent infectious diseases;
• violation of the rules for the first feeding of the baby;
• critical weakening of the body's protective functions;
• prolonged or uncontrolled use of certain medications;
• congenital tendency to allergies;
• incorrect selection of bedding or clothing material;
• violation of sanitary standards;
• prolonged stay of the child in conditions of increased dry air;
• poor nutrition of the mother while breastfeeding the child;
• hereditary predisposition.

The most common cause of diathesis is excessive consumption of certain foods or their introduction into complementary foods too early.

These allergens include cereals, whole grains, citrus fruits, seafood, chocolate and other types, peanuts and various types of preserves.

Children's digestive system not ready to be digested certain types of food, and the immune system recognizes them as a potential danger.

Symptoms and signs

The main symptom of diathesis is the appearance of characteristic red inflammations on the child’s cheeks, causing the baby discomfort in the form of itching and burning.

An allergic reaction can cause swelling of the skin.

When scratched, the rashes burst, and the itching is complemented by severe painful sensations.

The symptoms of diathesis are always pronounced and never go unnoticed.

Symptoms Diathesis on the cheeks are the following manifestations:

1. Characteristic bubbles with liquid contents form on the child's skin.
2. Rashes cause the child to become irritable and aggressive.
3. Itching disrupts the baby's sleep and causes him constant discomfort.
4. Sore throat and cough.
5. The top layer of the epidermis may resemble diaper rash.
6. The skin gradually begins to peel off.
7. The appearance of blisters is accompanied by itching.

How does an allergy to formula manifest in an infant? Find out about this from ours.

Complications and consequences

With timely treatment, diathesis does not pose a threat to the health or life of the child. However, in some cases there is a risk of developing serious complications.

First of all, it is necessary to avoid scratching the blisters. Through open wounds into the blood pathogenic microorganisms may enter. Infection can cause suppuration in inflamed areas of the skin.

Complications The following conditions can cause diathesis:

• pinpoint scars (in case of scratching blisters);
• blood poisoning (when infection gets into wounds);
• psoriasis;
• neurodermatitis;
• chronic form of diathesis.

Diagnostics

The main goal of diagnosing diathesis on the cheeks in children is factor definition, which provoked this condition.

A general and biochemical blood and urine test is required.

The allergen is detected by the method special laboratory samples. Additionally, you may need to consult an endocrinologist, immunologist, neurologist, rheumatologist and homeopath. A pediatrician can recognize diathesis based on a visual examination of the baby.

Treatment

What to do? How and with what to cure diathesis on the cheeks of a baby? The course of treatment for diathesis is limited to one week. Itching and burning sensations can be eliminated approximately on the third day of therapy.

Getting rid of the disease carried out comprehensively and includes not only the use of special medications, but also diet, the use of some traditional medicine recipes and careful monitoring of the baby’s contact with potential allergens.

The following options are used in the treatment of diathesis: medicines:

1. What to apply? Ointments and creams against diathesis (Sudocrem, Advantan, Bepanten, Zinc and Tar ointments).
2. Antihistamines (Fenistil, Fenkarol).
3. Drugs with a sedative effect (Valerian, Sodium Bromide).
4. Means for eliminating intestinal dysbiosis (Enterofuril, Enterosgel).
5. Immunomodulatory agents (Ribomunil, Interferon).
6. Means for the prevention of disorders of the digestive system (Linex, Bifidumbacterin).

Diet

If a child has diathesis on the cheeks, a special diet must be followed not only by the baby, but also by his mother (in the case of breastfeeding).

Diagnosis of the disease involves mandatory identification of allergen, so excluding it from the diet is not difficult.

The following types of food products are excluded from the mother’s diet when breastfeeding her baby:

• all types of preserves and marinades;
• alcoholic drinks;
• coffee and strong tea;
• confectionery;
• vegetables and that can aggravate allergies;
• fatty meats;
• seafood;
• all types of sausages and smoked meats;
• products containing dyes.

The diet for a child is based on similar principles.

Excluded from the diet beekeeping products, fatty meats and fish, allergenic vegetables and fruits, wheat and semolina cereals, dairy products, sweets and any confectionery products, citrus fruits and other ingredients that have the ability to provoke an allergic reaction.

Folk remedies and herbal medicine

Alternative medicine recipes are not used as the main method of treating cheek diathesis, but are a good addition to therapy. Some folk remedies accelerate the healing process of the skin and eliminate itching.

These herbs are used externally on the cheeks or taken internally as a remedy. boost immunity.

Examples of folk remedies:

Forecast

Diathesis is not one of the diseases that can cause significant harm to a child’s health. This condition is not a separate type of disease, but specific reaction of the child's body to certain stimuli.

Negative consequences are eliminated only with the right approach to treating the disease. Forecasts directly depend on the quality and timeliness of medical care provided.

Forecasts for diathesis on the cheeks:

• high-quality therapy eliminates the chronic form of allergies and reduces the risk of complications;
• Lack of treatment or incorrect selection of therapy is a guarantee of negative consequences (from the formation of scars to the development of skin diseases).

Can children be allergic to eggs? find out right now.

Prevention

You can prevent the development of diathesis on the cheeks of a child by following several rules. Important role plays a role in controlling the diet in the first months of life for the baby and the nursing mother.

If you give your child the same foods for a long time, the risk of diathesis will increase.

Special attention should be paid to child hygiene and ensuring sanitary conditions of his stay.

Preventive measures to prevent diathesis on the cheeks are the following recommendations:

• the children's room should be ventilated regularly (especially before bedtime);
• Complementary feeding should be introduced in a timely manner and with careful control of food products;
• strengthening the child’s immune system is carried out comprehensively (gentle hardening, vitamin complexes, dietary adjustments);
• in the first months of life, only hypoallergenic foods should be present in the child’s diet;
• The baby’s skin must be cared for from the first days of life (products are selected from a line of products for newborns, infants and older children);
• avoiding overfeeding the child or prolonged fasting;
• Children's bedding and clothes should only be washed with special hypoallergenic products.

In case of incorrect or untimely treatment of diathesis on the cheeks the risk of complications increases. Thanks to proper therapy, you can permanently get rid of your child’s tendency to allergies.

Otherwise, in adulthood, not only will characteristic symptoms appear, but also concomitant diseases will arise (for example, atopic dermatitis or a tendency to skin diseases).

Doctor Komarovsky about diathesis in children in this video:

We kindly ask you not to self-medicate. Make an appointment with a doctor!

When people talk about diathesis, most people associate this diagnosis with redness of the skin and rashes. This is actually a misconception because the rash is a symptom of allergic dermatitis. But the reason for its manifestation is precisely childhood diathesis - a hereditary anomaly in the child’s body, due to which there is a tendency to certain diseases. These most often include allergic reactions, respiratory diseases, changes in acid-base status and others.

With diathesis, the child’s body reacts incorrectly to environmental influences that are common to others. Moreover, this happens due to several coinciding circumstances. For example, poor nutrition, disruption of daily routine and frequent colds can serve as a trigger.

Pediatricians distinguish the following types of this anomaly:

• neuro-arthritic;
• lymphatic-hypoplastic;
• exudative-catarrhal.

These are the most common childhood diathesis, and more often they are combined with the predominance of one of the types.

Exudative-catarrhal

Reasons

This type of disorder occurs to one degree or another in 80% of infants. Exudative-catarrhal, or, more simply put, allergic diathesis in children mainly develops under the following conditions:

• non-compliance with nutritional standards (complementary feeding inappropriate for age);
• consumption of hyperallergenic foods by a nursing mother (chocolate, citrus fruits);
• contacts with certain household irritants (washing powder, hygiene products);
• animal hair, house mites and more.

Symptoms

• Predisposition to allergic reactions. When allergens come into contact with food, the child develops characteristic signs of atopic dermatitis. Redness appears on the cheeks and butt, then a rash appears, which can be located either in the form of small lesions or rather large spots. Over time, the skin on the face over these areas becomes dense and a crust forms. If your baby is not given medical attention at this stage, the rash will become moist and the skin will begin to crack, which can lead to infection.
• The occurrence of diaper rash. This happens due to improper care of the child (dressing inappropriately for the weather, staying in a wet diaper for a long time).
• Regular stomatitis and conjunctivitis.
• Frequent colds.

Such symptoms are typical for children under 1 year of age. In most older children, the rash appears mainly on the extremities and becomes dry. By the age of 2, the diathesis gradually subsides and disappears at 3–4 years. At the same time, the child is no longer bothered by allergic reactions.

There are cases when allergic diathesis in children is transformed into diseases such as hay fever, food allergies, urticaria, bronchial asthma and others. Recently, this has been happening more and more often, so if a diathesis is detected, its treatment must be started immediately.

Diet

The generally accepted diet for children with diathesis must be changed to a hypoallergenic one:

• Continue breastfeeding as long as possible, and the mother needs to exclude all possible allergic irritants from her diet. If a child is fed artificial formulas, it is recommended to select them together with a pediatrician, and when a suitable one is found, you should not change it for other reasons (improved composition, well-known manufacturer, cost, etc.).
• Introduce complementary foods only after six months. Initially, these should be dishes made from vegetables and cereals. But immediately after identifying an allergy, they must be removed from the menu. And products such as nuts, honey, and whole milk should be included in the diet no earlier than two years and only in the absence of skin rashes. It is advisable to feed your baby homemade food, since store-bought purees and cereals, contrary to manufacturers' statements, often cause allergic reactions.
• It is better to consult a specialist regarding proper diet. You should not engage in experiments and rely on “maybe”.
• Do not worry that, guided by such diets, you are depriving your baby of the substances and vitamins he needs. A well-chosen diet contains a sufficient vitamin and mineral complex; moreover, if all the rules of care are followed, after a few years the child will be allowed various goodies.

Treatment

• To cleanse your child’s skin, it is recommended to take hygienic baths every day. Before this, the water must be dechlorinated - left to stand for about an hour.
• Since atopic dermatitis is pronounced in children with diathesis, it is best to get rid of its manifestations with means for external use. These are various ointments, both hormonal (Elocom, Advantan) and non-hormonal (Fenistil). But, naturally, they should not be used without a doctor’s prescription. If complications arise in the form of an infection, combined antibacterial and hormonal ointments (Oxycort, Polcortolone) are prescribed. And when the affected area of ​​the skin is severely inflamed, it is recommended to apply the drugs in the form of aerosols.
• In cases where a crust forms on the baby’s face and butt, lotions are given to him, for which they roll up a piece of sterile bandage, soak it in a furatsilin solution and apply it to the sore spot for 15 minutes. Such procedures are carried out up to 5 times a day.

After bathing, the crust located under the hairline softens. But under no circumstances should you comb it with a regular comb, so as not to cause an infection. To do this, use a special brush with soft bristles, and it is advisable to scald it with boiling water before use.

Folk remedies

Folk recipes will help enhance the effect of hygienic baths. Adding herbs to them will strengthen the child’s body, calm the nervous system and have a disinfecting effect:

• Take a kilogram of oak bark, dry it, grind it into powder and infuse it in a liter of cold water. Then simmer over low heat for half an hour. Pour into a full bath, after straining.
• Pour 250 g of calamus roots and leaves with a liter of water and boil for 30 minutes. Pour the prepared broth into the bath.
• Place 1 kg of walnut leaves in cold water and boil for 45 minutes. Then strain and add to a full bath.

• Pour 2 tablespoons of string into a half-liter container of boiling water, leave for 12 hours, then strain. Give your child half a glass three times a day.
• Boil 0.5 liters of water, add a tablespoon of chopped wheatgrass root and leave on low heat for 15 minutes. Then cover and set aside for 2 hours, then strain. You need to drink half a glass before meals.
• Pour a teaspoon of ground dandelion root into a glass of hot water. Leave for 2 hours, then strain. Take 50 ml half an hour before meals.

Before using these recipes, be sure to consult your pediatrician!

Lymphatic-hypoplastic

Reasons

This childhood diathesis provokes disruptions in the endocrine system, inflammation of the lymph nodes and decreased immunity to infectious diseases. It is most often activated at the age of 2 - 3 years. The main causes of lymphatic-hypoplastic diathesis are:

• long-term or incompletely cured infectious diseases;
• poor nutrition;
• non-compliance with the daily routine.

Symptoms

• The child looks lethargic, indifferent, gets tired quickly, and is unable to concentrate on anything. The baby's skin is paler than usual, and muscles develop poorly.
• All lymph nodes are significantly enlarged and can be easily palpated without causing pain.
• The adenoids and tonsils become inflamed, which is characterized by such symptoms as difficulty breathing through the nose, snoring during sleep and a regular, long-lasting runny nose.
• Children get ARVI much more often than their peers, and suffer more severe illnesses.

All these symptoms of diathesis in children usually disappear by the age of 6 - 7, when, as they grow up, the immune system begins to act more effectively.

Treatment

This type of diathesis does not require treatment, since its manifestations depend entirely on the functioning of the immune system. The only thing that is recommended is a normal daily routine, regular walks in the fresh air, daily morning exercises. But you need to get rid of all accompanying colds and infectious diseases in a timely manner, because there is a high chance of complications arising.

However, you should not start treatment using your own methods. The course of therapy must be agreed upon with a doctor, and at all stages of the disease. During the epidemic, even if the child is not sick, preventive measures should be taken by taking antiviral drugs (Viferon, Anaferon and others).

Neuro-arthritic

Reasons

With neuro-arthritic diathesis, the metabolic processes of uric acid salts are disrupted. It occurs in a child in primary school and continues until puberty. The reasons that trigger it are most often:

• metabolic disorders inherited;
• poor nutrition;
• mother's illness during pregnancy;
• complications during childbirth.

Symptoms

• An overly excited state and nervous tension, observed from infancy. Initially, this is unmotivated crying in response to sudden but minor stimuli (light or sound). Then there are nightmares, sudden changes in mood, nervous muscle twitching, and urinary incontinence.
• Sometimes pain appears in different parts of the body, but does not indicate any disease or pathology. The temperature may rise for no reason.
• Poor nutrition, heavy stress on the nervous system, or infectious diseases can trigger an acetone crisis.

It is noteworthy that children with such a diathesis are distinguished by increased learning abilities and interests in areas of knowledge that their peers have not yet reached.

Treatment

When treating, it is first necessary to get rid of complications, such as acetone crisis. After the first symptoms appear (specific breath odor, nausea, vomiting), you need to:

• begin removing toxins from the body;
• provide him with a sufficient amount of glucose (sweet tea or compote);

• replenish fluid content by giving saline solutions (Glucosolan, Regidron);
• introduce an appropriate diet;
• undergo a course of treatment with enterosorbents (Smecta, Polisobr).

You should also adhere to a proper daily routine and timely meals.

Photos

It is impossible to say specifically how to cure diathesis in a child. The characteristics of the disease are such that everyone is at risk. But it’s impossible to protect a baby from the fullness of life and raise him according to strict instructions! The main motto here is everything is good in moderation. This applies to both nutrition and stress on the body. Well, and, of course, if the disease is detected, timely, individually selected treatment is necessary.

In infants, diathesis usually manifests itself as symptoms on the skin - on the cheeks and scalp.
In children 3-6 years old, lymph nodes may become enlarged.
From 7 to 12 years, joint pain and gastrointestinal disorders are possible.
The disease occurs due to the structural features of the immune system and gastrointestinal tract. The development of diathesis is due to the presence of a hereditary predisposition in combination with errors in diet.
Treatment includes antihistamines, local therapy and a hypoallergenic diet.

Diathesis is not a specific disease, it is a whole complex of symptoms and changes associated with constitutional anomalies - a genetically determined feature of the body. These characteristics are expressed in a tendency to certain diseases. At its core, diathesis is a “pre-disease”, which is characterized by a predisposition to negative reactions to irritants (food components, household chemicals, etc.) and the ability to transform into a disease under the influence of such negative reactions.

There are 3 forms of diathesis:

• Up to 3 years: exudative-catarrhal: manifests itself on the skin and mucous membranes;
• 3-6 years: lymphatic-hypoplastic: lymph nodes enlarge;
• 7-12 years: neuro-arthritic: gastrointestinal disorders, enuresis, joint pain.

Reasons

The consumption of the following products by a child or nursing mother can provoke the appearance of diathesis:

• cow's milk, or more precisely, cow's milk protein or milk sugar (lactose);
• egg white;
• purees and juices from orange or red fruits (especially strawberries, citrus fruits, wild strawberries, bananas);
• chocolate;
• products with preservatives and food colorings;
• seafood;
• pickles, marinades, sauces with spices.

The cause of diathesis in breastfed babies is errors in the mother's diet.

When hyperemia (redness) of the skin or rash appears, parents should remember what’s new in the diet in the coming days and exclude these foods.

Also, a provoking factor in the development of diathesis is non-compliance with hygiene, improper care of the child’s skin, and the use of inappropriate care products. It is necessary to use hypoallergenic creams and bathing products approved for use from birth.

Who is at risk:

Among children at risk, there is a group with abnormalities in the mother's pregnancy - toxicosis, infections, smoking, alcohol consumption. Also included here are disturbances in the course of labor – asphyxia, hypoxia.

Children most often suffer from diathesis:

• with a hereditary predisposition,
• with congenital disorders of the nervous system,
• low birth weight or, conversely, high birth weight,
• with dysbacteriosis,
• feeding on infant formula.

The manifestation of the disease can be caused by ARVI, vaccinations, especially at an early age. An increased risk of development is often combined with improper care, poor nutrition, poor living conditions, and a tense emotional environment in the family.

Almost any sudden change - climate change, vitamin deficiencies, household chemicals and even poor environmental conditions can give impetus to the development of atopy. The children's body is more sensitive to histamine (the main regulator of allergic reactions), so its release can be associated not only with foreign agents (for example, from food or washing powder), but also with natural conditions.

Symptoms by age

Signs of diathesis vary depending on the form of its manifestation. It may appear as:

• negative reaction from the mucous membrane and skin (dermatitis, geographic tongue, milk scab),
• hypoplastic changes in lymph nodes (their increase throughout the body) and endocrine glands.
• Metabolic processes often suffer, usually increased secretion of uric acid, oxalates and phosphates.

Photo: geographic tongue

Photo: milk scab. Taken from the website of the Department of Dermatovenereology of the Tomsk Military Medical Institute

Diathesis in infants: exudative-catarrhal form

Synonyms: allergic, atopic diathesis

No additional diagnostic methods are used to make a diagnosis. The presence of diathesis can be determined by skin manifestations and data on the products that the child consumed.

When the baby is breastfed, symptoms of diathesis may occur after the mother consumes these products.

Manifestations can begin as early as the first month of life in the form of persistent diaper rash (not going away even with careful care), profuse prickly heat (even with mild overheating) and, finally, in the form of gray-yellow greasy crusts on the scalp and eyebrows. The child's skin is pale and dry.

Beginning at the age of 3 months, limited bright red spots may appear on the baby's cheeks, which subsequently become covered with a thin crust. Itching and pain are felt in these places. These are the so-called milk crusts or milk scabs - one of the characteristic manifestations of abnormal metabolism - exudative diathesis. It is also called allergic or atopic.

Manifestations in infants:

• frequent and loose stools with foam or a greenish tint,
• stomach pain,
• rash,
• redness on the cheeks (milk scab).

A child with diathesis is capricious, restless, may refuse to eat and sleep poorly. The appearance of the rash is accompanied by constant severe itching, so children older than one year can scratch the affected areas, which leads to a secondary infection and the appearance of purulent wounds. Infants react to itching by crying and increased physical activity.

If left untreated, the entire body is affected. At the initial stage of the acute form of the disease, redness of the skin is noted, then small blisters filled with transparent contents appear. Over time, the bubbles burst and crusts form in their place.

Diathesis is manifested not only by rashes, but also by indigestion (diarrhea) against the background of skin manifestations, a protracted course of inflammatory eye diseases (blepharitis, conjunctivitis), and obstructive bronchitis. Subsequently, this form of diathesis may be complicated by bronchial asthma.

With diathesis, the child develops increased sensitivity to certain foods and medications. Therefore, ordinary care and feeding are not sufficient for such a child; appropriate adjustments must be made to them.

By the end of two years, usually active signs are significantly reduced, and only a small percentage of children (about 10%) may manifest themselves at an older age in the form of bronchial asthma, eczema, and allergic reactions.

Diathesis at 3-6 years: lymphatic-hypoplastic

The lymphatic form is characterized by rapid fatigue of the child, usually he is pale, lethargic, overweight (or prone to obesity).

A distinctive feature of children with such a constitutional anomaly is an enlargement of the thymus gland (the main gland for the preparation of T-lymphocytes, which undergoes atrophy with age) and lymph nodes. The main symptoms of this form include:

• frequent respiratory infections,
• hoarseness, noisy breathing, shortness of breath due to an enlarged thymus (thymus gland)

The height of the process occurs between the ages of 3 and 6 years, then the negative manifestations almost completely disappear. There may be a slight delay in sexual development in adolescents.

Diathesis at 7-12 years old: neuro-arthritic form

For the arthritic form, the peak is school age (7-12 years). Children are often thin in appearance, but sudden weight gain in adolescents is possible. This type of constitution is noticeable even from infancy - the baby sleeps poorly, is excitable, restless, and eats poorly. Then, as you grow older, tics, nightmares, enuresis (urinary incontinence), and vomiting due to nervousness may increase.
Children often complain of indigestion - vomiting, diarrhea, the smell of acetone on the breath, as well as intermittent pain in the joints.

This form is also characterized by the manifestation of spastic syndrome (increased muscle tone):

• bronchospasms,
• colic, constipation,
• increased likelihood of developing hypertension and heart disease.

In the book Children's diseases: a textbook, ed. A.A. Baranov provides the following comparative table:

Treatment of diathesis

Treatment includes antihistamines, local therapy and a hypoallergenic diet.

The basis for the treatment of constitutional anomalies should be the establishment of a regimen and menu. It is very important to correctly compose a diet, not only excluding potential allergens, but also regulating the content of proteins, fats, carbohydrates and calories. The treatment of skin rashes should be approached comprehensively, not limited to local treatment.

To relieve symptoms of the disease, 1st-2nd generation antihistamines are used in age-appropriate dosages (loratadine, cetirizine, clemastine, dimethidene). They eliminate itching, reduce swelling of the skin, relieve redness, have a sedative effect, and prevent the further spread of dermatitis. It is better to choose drugs that come in the form of drops. Syrups may contain dyes and flavors that provoke the development of an allergic reaction.

For severe skin manifestations, ointments with antihistamines and glucocorticosteroids are used topically. If there are signs of inflammation, local use of antiseptics is indicated: a solution of potassium permanganate, boric acid, methylene blue.

Drug treatment of diathesis

Strictly! as prescribed by a doctor

Local treatment

Before removing crusts that occur in children with diathesis, it is necessary to soak them with petroleum jelly, naphthalan ointment, and Unna cream (zinc-based). A thick layer of preheated oil or cream is applied to the affected area of ​​the skin, covered with soft, clean gauze, and on top with paper (in no case with plastic wrap!). A scarf is tied over it or a thin cap is put on. After a few hours, the crusts are easily removed when bathing, without damaging the skin. In case of new, abundant crusts, the procedure is repeated - this is the so-called occlusive dressing, recommended by official medicine.

The skin in areas of diaper rash is treated with a 1% aqueous solution of brilliant green or fucorcin. To prevent diaper rash, skin folds must be treated after each wash with diaper cream or special oil. For inflammation, you can use baby cream with panthenol. Children suffering from diathesis should be bathed without soap and potassium permanganate; you can add a decoction of string, a decoction of oak bark, and bran.

The rapid spread of the rash and the appearance of purulent discharge is a reason to immediately seek medical help. In the presence of infectious complications, antibiotics are added to therapy.

Diet

As a rule, the first signs of an allergy appear in a child 4-6 hours after eating. Therefore, to accurately identify the allergen, do not mix products!

If you are sensitive to any product, it is excluded from the child’s diet for some time. Then you can try again. Scientists have proven that allergies can only be cured with the help of an allergen. After all, even to poison in small doses the body gets used to it.

Important: If a reaction to complementary foods occurs in the form of rashes, it is necessary to prescribe antihistamines and sorbents that help remove the allergen faster.

If a woman is breastfeeding, then she needs to carefully monitor her diet and give up some “tasty” things. Highly allergenic foods such as chocolate, coffee, marinades, and smoked foods should be excluded from the diet.

Children suffering from allergies are especially careful when introducing their first complementary foods. As a rule, it is recommended to start with vegetables (zucchini, cauliflower). Doctors recommend using industrially produced ready-made food, as it is made from proven quality products and contains the required amount of vitamins.

Cow's milk intolerance is one of the causes of diathesis. In infants it usually appears when the child is transferred to artificial feeding. In this case, doctors recommend abandoning formula milk and switching to formulas based on soy protein (also called lactose-free), hypoallergenic, or using goat milk. If a child has been experiencing allergic symptoms for a long time in the form of frequent, loose and foaming stools, it is recommended to introduce fermented milk products containing bifidobacteria into his diet.

In any case, you cannot independently choose baby food for children with diathesis. This should be done by a doctor, based on the child’s characteristics.

The body of a one-year-old child is still very weak and susceptible to influence. Diathesis in such children can also be caused by familiar foods. Even an extra spoonful of your favorite porridge, eaten “for dad,” can cause anxiety. Try not to overfeed your baby. It is advisable to feed him more often, but in small portions.

When a child reaches the age of three, parents often stop paying due attention to his nutrition and seat the child at a common table. This is a huge burden even for a completely healthy baby, not to mention one with allergies. It is necessary to minimize the consumption of salt and sugar, as well as hot seasonings and spices.

Be sure to maintain a hypoallergenic environment in the house - regularly ventilate, carry out wet cleaning at least 2 times a day. It is recommended to remove all carpets and interior items that accumulate dust. Books and toys should be stored in closed cabinets. The presence of animals in the house is undesirable (an allergic reaction is caused not by the fur itself, but by the scales of the animal’s skin). Even harmless fish can cause an exacerbation of diathesis; it is also better to remove indoor flowers.

For children suffering from diathesis, vaccinations are administered after a preliminary course of antihistamines.

Prevention

An important point in preventing the occurrence of diathesis is compliance with the regime even before the birth of the child. A pregnant woman should carefully monitor her diet and eliminate bad habits. Children at risk of developing diathesis are advised to breastfeed, which is recommended to be maintained for as long as possible.