Baby rash: Allergy is the culprit
If your kid has a rash, and his/her skin is not so soft. Or maybe the small one sniffles and sneezes often. These symptoms can signify allergic reaction.
Cow’s milk, dust mites, even the family pet can lead to hypersensitivity in the tiniest humans. If this is the scenario, there are various things you can do to help the child.
Allergies don’t just lead to infant’s sneezing and wheezing. They can also show up on your child’s skin in the form of rash. A reaction may come in one of several forms.
Eczema
Eczema is prevalent in at least 10% of kids. It’s especially common if your child has asthma, foodstuff allergies, or hay fever or if any of these hypersensitive conditions run in the family.
Common Symptoms of Skin Condition in Children
Health specialists aren’t totally certain what leads to this skin condition. In kids, it shows up as a rash on the face or head. Afterwards, it may extend to the arms and torso. The skin is often dehydrated, scratchy, and easily irritated. Manifestations are the following:
- A red rash
- Scratch that damages the skin and cause more itching
- Dry skin
- From scratching and rubbing; thick and leathery patches can demonstrate up over time; common areas comprise of cheeks, creases of arms or legs, nape of neck, back, chest or abdomen.
- Repeat skin infection that may be caused by itching
Causes of Itching
The following things can set off more itching:
- Dry surroundings
- Sweating
- Rough clothing
- Certain soaps and detergents
- Foodstuff like eggs, nuts, cow milk, wheat, soy, and seafood, but chances are rare.
Hypersensitive Rash – Causes and Symptoms of Allergic Contact Dermatitis in Babies
After touching something; when the child gets a rash; this depicts that the baby is sensitive to the particular thing, it’s called allergic contact dermatitis. Manifestations can include:
- Severe itching
- Redness of the skin depicting rash
- Thick, scaly, leathery patches on the skin that build up over a period of time
Things that can set off these reactions include:
- Nickel, a metal which is present in some earrings, snaps, and buttons
- Poison ivy, oak, and sumac
- Ingredients that are present in certain mouthwash and toothpaste
- Chemicals and dyes that are present in shoes
- Cosmetics and beauty products
- Medicines like neomycin (an antibiotic), antihistamines, and anesthetics (skin-numbing treatments) which are used on skin
Hives/Urticaria and Swelling in Babies
Hives also known as urticaria demonstrated by itchy red bumps or patches on the skin. Their tendency is that they last for a few minutes to a few hours and can arrive and leave over a few days. Triggers are the following:
- Foodstuffs including eggs, milk, peanuts, wheat, soy, seafood, nuts, and strawberries
- Medicines, particularly antibiotics
- Bug bites and stings
- Latex
- Pet saliva or dander
- Viral infections
Sometimes, urticaria can appear without a known cause.
If your baby has them, he may also get another type of swelling called angioedema. It can be seen on the soft skin areas like the kind around his mouth, eyes, and genitals. It usually doesn’t appear on its own exclusive of hives. Hives are not dangerous, but if the baby has difficulty breathing or his tongue or throat show swelling, you should immediately seek some medical emergency help.
How to comfort Baby’s hypersensitivity manifestations:
If the baby has been suffering from allergies, it’s important to relieve his/her symptoms and reduce the likelihood of their returning by making certain changes in his/her surroundings. Usual management for allergic reaction includes:
- 1 percent hydrocortisone cream or skin moisturizers which can be used for eczema and other allergic rashes
- Benadryl which is an oral histamine, for quick relief of an older baby’s manifestations
Zyrtec for Year-round Allergic Reactions in Kids as Young as 6 Months
For kids suffering from allergic reactions, there’s good news. The Food and Drug Administration has recently approved the medicine in the antihistamine class which is Zyrtec for the management of year-round allergic reactions in kids who are as young as 6 months old. It’s the first and only antihistamine – over-the-counter or treatment – verified with clinical trials to be safe in babies who are very young.
Allergic Reaction and Identification of Allergens
Allergic reaction usually gets poor unless exposure to allergens is minimized. If one can get rid of kid’s exposure to what on earth is leading to his/her reaction for no less than six months, his/her body will essentially forget about it. However, it’s really hard to identify what’s causing the allergic reaction. One should keep a record diary of what manifestations occur and when. This may expose a particular pet, article of garments, foodstuff, or room in your house as the culprit that’s leading to the allergic reaction.
Allergy Testing for Kids Suffering From Rashes
Allergy testing, either by blood or skin test, can be done on babies who are older than 2 months, but test outcomes are difficult to interpret in children who are very young because their immune system is still under development. Try to reduce baby’s exposure to some general allergens before resorting to testing by:
- Covering mattresses and pillows with covers which are dust mite-proof
- Having a cat or dog spend a week out of the house
- Feather pillows should be kept aside
- Switching to a hypoallergenic laundry detergent
How to prevent allergic reaction in babies?
If allergic reactions run in the family, there are actions one can take to assist your child avoid hypersensitivities:
- Baby should be breastfed for at least six months. One can enhance the benefits of breastfeeding by avoiding allergenic foods which are milk, eggs, fish, and nuts
- Use a hypoallergenic protein hydrolysateformula(made up of protein that’s so broken down it’s virtually undetectable by the immune system); in case one doesn’t nurse.
Reduce baby’s exposure to general allergens by creating a hypoallergenic surroundings for child:
- Smoking shouldn’t be allowed in the house
- Mattress covers and pillowcases should be dust-mite-proof
- Clean frequently to reduce the concentration of dust, mold, and feathers in the home
- Carpeting should be avoided in baby’s room
- Home should be pet-free if possible
Contact Jerath Path Labs for precise testing solutions to identify and address baby rashes with care.