Allergies in infants may occur as a result of excessive reaction of the immune system to harmless substances, the immune system may excess excessive reactions by perceiving substances as threats such as certain foods, pollen, house dust mites, animal hairs or drugs. This response can give symptoms in different ways on skin, respiratory tract, digestive system or general body health. Allergic reactions can be seen more frequently because the immune systems of infants have not yet developed. Symptoms of allergy may vary depending on the type of allergen exposed to the baby. Some infants have skin rashes, skin problems such as eczema and itching. In some, respiratory problems such as nasal discharge, sneezing and wheezing respiration may experience. Food allergies can often be manifested by digestive system disorders such as nausea, vomiting, diarrhea or constipation.
Symptoms of allergy in infants
It may vary depending on the type of allergen exposed. Skin reactions are at the forefront in some infants. Some may show symptoms of respiratory or digestive system. Symptoms can sometimes develop after days or weeks. Since the type and severity of the allergy can be variable, it is important that parents carefully follow the changes in the baby’s body and consult a doctor when they notice the symptoms. The common symptoms of the allergic reaction include redness, rash, itching, nasal discharge, wheezing respiration, watering, stomach problems and restlessness. In serious cases, symptoms that require urgent intervention such as shortness of breath, severe vomiting or swelling of the face and lips may occur. Symptoms of allergy in infants are as follows:
- Redness and rash on the skin
- Eczema or dryness
- Itching and irritation
- Hives (urticaria) formation
- Nasal discharge and congestion
- Constant sneezing
- Wheezing and shortness of breath
- Cough and sputum respiratory
- Watering and itching in the eyes
- Nausea and vomiting
- Abdominal pain and gas problem
- Diarrhea or constipation
- Swelling or redness in the mouth
- Restlessness and sleep problems
- Decrease in appetite
- Fatigue and fatigue
- Suddenly developing face, lip or eyelid swelling
The most common types of allergy in infants
Food allergies are one of the most common types of allergies in infants. Foods such as cow’s milk, eggs, nuts, wheat and soybean can lead to allergic reactions. Respiratory tract allergies are caused by allergens carried by air, such as pollen, house dust mites and animal feathers. It manifests itself with symptoms such as nasal congestion, cough and wheezing. Another common type of allergy in infants is skin allergies. Disorders such as eczema, hives (urticaria) and atopic dermatitis usually occur when infants’ extreme response to environmental factors. Contact allergies, detergents, soaps and perfumes, such as chemical substances as a result of contact with the skin may show itself in the form of redness and itching. Sometimes it can be difficult to determine the substance that causes allergy. Therefore, when allergic reactions are observed in the baby, allergy tests should be performed and which substances are triggering. Babies are the most common allergy types as follows:
- Cow’s milk protein allergy: It is one of the most common food allergies in infants. It can cause vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain and skin rashes.
- Egg allergy: Mostly manifests itself with itching and eczema on the skin.
- Hazelnut and peanut allergies: May lead to severe reactions (anaphylaxis).
- Wheat and gluten allergy: It can cause digestive system disorders and skin problems.
- Soy and seafood allergies: The immune system can create gastrointestinal problems by overreacting.
- Pollen allergy (allergic rhinitis): Nasal discharge causes sneezing and irrigation in the eyes.
- House dust mites: May cause nasal congestion, cough and shortness of breath in infants.
- Animal feather allergy: Itching, sneezing and irrigation of eyes after contact with pets may occur.
- Eczema (atopic dermatitis): Skin dryness, redness and itching causes.
- Hives (urticaria): It manifests itself with fluffy, itchy red spots on the skin.
- Insect bite allergy: Excessive swelling of the skin, redness and itching.
- Detergent, soap and perfumes: May cause irritation and redness of the skin.
- Latex allergy: In some infants, skin reactions may develop after contact with substances containing latexic substances such as gloves or balloons.
- Metal and jewelry allergies: Especially after contact with metals such as nickel, rashes may occur.
Factors that cause allergies in infants
Allergy in infants occurs when the immune system excessively reactions to certain substances. Genetic predisposition, environmental factors, nutrition habits and the development process of the immune system play an important role in the emergence of allergy. Infants with an allergic disease (asthma, eczema, hay fever) in their family have a higher risk of allergy. Since infants’ immune systems are not yet fully developed, they are more sensitive to environmental factors. Respiratory tract allergens such as pollen, house dust mites, animal hairs and mold mushrooms, nasal discharge in infants, cough and shortness of breath may manifest itself.
Baby nutrition is also an important factor in the development of allergy. Cow’s milk protein, eggs, nuts, soybean and wheat foods can cause allergic reactions in sensitive infants. Early start of additional food or excessive consumption of allergen -containing foods may cause the immune system to react incorrectly. In addition, the nutrients consumed by the mother during pregnancy and breastfeeding may also affect the baby’s risk of allergy. Environmental factors also play a major role in the development of allergy.
Allergy diagnosis in infants
First of all, the doctor evaluates whether the baby has an allergy history in the family and how often and when the symptoms occur. Since allergy symptoms can sometimes be confused with other diseases, various tests can be applied to make correct diagnosis. When food allergies are suspected, the nutrients consumed by infants are observed and an elimination diet can be applied to identify possible triggers. Blood tests can determine how the body reacts to allergens by measuring IgE antibody levels. The skin prick test is used to see if infants are allergic to certain substances. However, it is usually applied in children over 2 years of age. Specific IgE tests, a safer method in infants, are performed by taking blood samples and helps to detect substances that cause allergies.
If respiratory allergies are suspected, the doctor evaluates symptoms such as nose discharge, cough and shortness of breath. In some cases, lung function tests or radiological imaging methods can also be used. In the diagnosis of skin allergies, skin examinations are performed and the reactions such as eczema, hives or irritation are allergic. Allergy diagnosis is very important to improve the quality of life of the baby and to determine the correct treatment method.
Allergy treatment methods in infants
Allergy treatment in infants primarily begins with the identification and avoiding the factors that trigger the allergy. It is important that parents determine the substances of the baby and to remove these substances from their daily life. In infants with food allergies, allergen -containing foods should be removed from the diet and care should be taken in the process of transition to additional food. For respiratory allergies, it is useful to keep the environment clean and reduce the exposure of dust and pollen. In skin allergies, natural and non -chemical products should be used in the sensitive skin of infants.
Allergy protection methods in infants
Especially in infants with genetic predisposition, environmental factors should be carefully controlled to prevent allergic reactions. In order to avoid food allergies, care should be careful during the transition to additional food, new foods should be tried in one by one and small amounts. The home environment should be ventilated regularly and measures should be taken to reduce allergens such as dust and pollen. Instead of detergents, perfumes and soaps with chemical content, natural products specially produced for infants should be preferred. Some of the methods of protection from allergies in infants are as follows:
- Care should be taken in the process of transition to additional food, new nutrients should be tried one by one.
- Regular cleaning should be done to prevent the accumulation of dust, house mites and pollen at home.
- Baby clothes and bed linen should be washed with hypoallergenic detergents.
- Care should be taken to strengthen babies’ balanced diet to strengthen the immune system.
- Parents should observe the allergic reactions of their babies to determine the factors that cause allergies.
- For infants with sensitivity to pet hairs, their contact with animals should be limited.
- Hypoallergenic care products that do not contain chemicals for infants’ skin health should be used.
- If allergy symptoms continue for a long time, tests should be performed under the control of the doctor and preventive measures should be taken.
