Diathesis in children. Symptoms. At-home treatment.
Reddened cheeks on a baby are a source of concern for any mother. They often look for the cause, such as a fever or allergic reactions. But in reality, this redness can be caused by diathesis. What is this condition, and how can diathesis on a child's cheeks be treated?
Diathesis occurs in children from birth to three years of age. This process is associated with the underdevelopment of the gastrointestinal tract. As a result, the body reacts to certain foods, causing red spots on the child's cheeks, accompanied by itching and crusting. Diathesis is essentially a type of allergic reaction to certain foods. Doctors often refer to it as atopic dermatitis. The main symptoms of diathesis in infants are skin rashes on the child's body. The inflammatory process is not only external; allergic reactions are also observed on internal organs and mucous membranes. Symptoms of diathesis in infants often include redness on the face, buttocks, arms and legs, and diaper rash (especially in the groin and armpits, behind the ears, and behind the knees). A yellowish crust may appear under the baby's scalp, which should be carefully combed out after bathing, after applying baby oil or cream.
To know how to get rid of diathesis or prevent it, it is necessary to understand the causes and mechanisms of its development. Currently, doctors cannot definitively determine which factors affect a baby's body even before birth and cause adaptation problems later in life. The most commonly noted factors are: severe toxicosis throughout pregnancy; exposure to unfavorable environmental conditions, such as vehicle exhaust fumes, industrial emissions, dust, and noise; and certain infectious diseases that the expectant mother suffers from during pregnancy. Certain medications are far from harmless for the developing body. Therefore, doctors always try to avoid the use of such medications whenever possible. Failure to adhere to a diet by a pregnant woman. Many foods are best excluded from the diet due to their high risk of causing allergies. If a child was not breastfed for some reason (due to lactation problems, breast disease, or maternal refusal to breastfeed), the likelihood of developing diathesis is significantly higher than in other infants.
Having noticed signs of diathesis in their child, parents begin to blame themselves for not feeding the baby properly or caring for them properly. In general, scientists still haven't provided a definitive answer about the causes and nature of diathesis. However, everyone agrees on one thing: prevention is better and easier than cure. And the most important preventative measure is the timely and careful introduction of complementary foods "appropriate for age" in infants and a balanced, high-quality diet in older children. If all precautions fail to prevent a child from developing diathesis, treatment is essential to prevent the triggering of a chain of allergic mechanisms, chronic allergies, and various diseases, such as bronchial asthma and atopic dermatitis. Diet is the primary and effective measure indicated for diathesis. There is a long list of highly allergenic foods that should be completely eliminated from the diet. Meat and chicken broths, all red foods, and sugar are particularly important. Cow's milk, egg yolk, and sour cream are also very common allergens. Cereals include semolina and millet. Fruits include citrus fruits, pomegranates, apricots, peaches, and melons. Dried fruits, nuts, mushrooms, chocolate, honey, and various delicacies can all easily trigger diathesis. If a child with signs of diathesis is breastfed, the mother should first review her own diet and eliminate spices, sweets, tomatoes, smoked foods, and poultry. Limit milk and egg consumption, and include more raw vegetables and fresh fruits in the diet. When introducing new foods, carefully monitor your child's reaction. Diathesis treatment is carried out under the supervision of a pediatrician. Both the baby's diet and skin care products should be coordinated with the pediatrician. Typically, in addition to diet, the doctor will prescribe anti-itch medications, sedatives, and vitamins. Ultraviolet therapy may also be prescribed. Diathesis is often accompanied by intestinal dysbiosis, and only by treating it can the unpleasant symptoms appearing on the baby's skin be eliminated.