Allergy to powder in a child: how does it manifest itself and look in the photo?

Allergy to powder in infants

In the vast majority of cases, it manifests itself as allergic contact dermatitis - inflammation of the child’s skin under the influence of allergenic components of washing powder.
In response to the antigens contained in the powder, the permeability of the vascular wall in the thickness of the newborn’s skin increases, which is manifested by redness and swelling.

Biologically active substances that appear during an allergic reaction provoke the development of itching and burning. The skin of an infant becomes more sensitive to external factors, which further aggravates the situation.

Risk factors for an allergy to powder in an infant:

1. Genetic prerequisites for burden of allergic diseases. The risk of allergic contact dermatitis is higher in children whose relatives suffer from various allergic diseases.
2. Artificial feeding. Natural feeding up to 4 months is a protective factor against skin allergy pathologies in children.
3. Intrauterine infections.
4. Living for a child in big cities.
5. Antibiotic therapy.
6. Autoimmune skin diseases.

Allergenic triggers of allergic contact dermatitis to washing powder in children:

1. Anionic surfactants.
2. Phosphates.
3. Bleaches.
4. Flavors.

Symptoms of food allergies

So, food allergy is a state of hypersensitivity to food. It can manifest itself in different ways:

In the form of allergic skin lesions:

• various rashes on the body,
• redness,
• itching and peeling of the skin of the cheeks (sometimes such phenomena are called “diathesis”),
• persistent diaper rash, despite careful hygiene measures,
• profuse prickly heat with mild overheating,
• gneiss (formation of scales, peeling) on ​​the scalp and eyebrows, urticaria,
• Quincke's edema (a type of allergic reaction characterized by the sudden appearance of swelling of the skin, subcutaneous tissue and mucous membranes).

In the form of lesions of the gastrointestinal tract (with swelling of the mucous membrane):

• regurgitation,
• vomit,
• frequent and loose stools with foam or mixed with greens,
• constipation,
• colic,
• flatulence.

Less often - in the form of respiratory disorders (with swelling of the respiratory tract):

• allergic rhinitis,
• bronchospasm (with bronchospasm, air does not enter the airways or enters with great difficulty - this is the most dangerous outcome of allergic edema).

Quincke's edema is especially dangerous for a newborn. With Quincke's edema in the larynx, suffocation occurs, similar to an attack of bronchial asthma. With swelling of the larynx, first there is hoarseness of voice, a barking cough, then shortness of breath with noisy breathing. The complexion acquires a bluish tint, then suddenly turns pale.

There are also combined lesions of the skin and intestines, skin and bronchi. Food allergies can be a precursor to other allergic diseases: atopic dermatitis, bronchial asthma, etc.

What does an allergy to washing powders look like in children?

Red spots appear on the child’s skin, often with blisters filled with liquid, and there may be swelling. The baby is bothered by severe itching.

Sometimes a secondary infection occurs - yellowish crusts appear in place of the opened vesicles.

The clinical picture depends on the amount of the substance that gets on the skin of the newborn, and the initial condition of the skin itself (a brighter picture is present on previously damaged skin).

How can parents suspect an allergic reaction to household chemicals in their infant?

So, your baby is suddenly covered in red itchy spots all over his body.

First, remember: have you introduced new types of food products into your baby’s diet, have you used new cosmetics or medications?

Allergy to washing powder refers to allergic processes of delayed type hypersensitivity. Manifestations of allergies may appear 3 to 14 days after skin contact with the allergen.

If you suspect your child is allergic to washing powder, be sure to tell the doctor the name of this household chemical.

The doctor may prescribe skin patch tests for the baby to determine the exact allergen.

How to spot a fake?

Often, under the guise of a good powder, there are real time bombs on store shelves that pose a direct danger to health.

This is a good example when a buyer is misled and purchases a counterfeit of a quality brand.

So, how does a high-quality powder differ from a fake?

• the only way to check the quality of the powder without leaving the checkout is to see if the paint from the packaging remains on your hands, or if the powder spills out of it (often poor-quality packaging can indicate a fake!);
• Another way to check can be done at home. To do this, add one drop of ordinary pharmaceutical greens to a glass of water. After this, stir one teaspoon of the newly purchased powder into a glass. If the water remains green, then the powder is fake. A quality product will make the water almost clear.

Treatment of allergic rash to washing powder in newborns:

1. Elimination of the allergen. Use only special hypoallergenic powders for washing children's clothes.

2. Drug therapy:

• lotions. If there is weeping of the skin, the doctor may prescribe lotions with string, oak bark, and Burov's liquid. Lotions can be applied every 3 hours, the duration of the procedure is 15 minutes;
• topical glucocorticosteroids. With moderate severity of the process, antiallergic hormonal drugs are prescribed. For quick relief of inflammation, the following are suitable: Lokoid, Elokom, Advantan;
• Antihistamines are used to relieve itching: Zodak, Cetrin, Suprastin;
• when an infection occurs, agents containing antimicrobial components (Triderm, Pimafucort) are prescribed.

Causes

The substances used as ingredients for washing powder are similar among different manufacturers. Among them, the following components most often cause an allergic reaction:

• phosphates intended to soften tap water;
• Surfactants (surfactants), which are the main component of most manufacturers;
• flavorings;
• bleaches consisting of chemical substances containing chlorine;
• ingredients to better remove dirt from fabrics, called enzymes;
• other components that neutralize foaming, enhance the effectiveness of the product, etc.

Phosphates . Substances in this group are toxic compounds. They are present not only in household chemicals, but also in medicines, food additives and fertilizers. They may contain lead and arsenic, the use of which is limited by regulations.

For your information! Phosphates have the ability to accumulate.

Synthetic surfactants . This is one of the most allergenic components in the detergent. Surfactants are present in large quantities in cheap powders, dishwashing liquids, carpet cleaning, etc. Surfactants are harmful in direct contact with the skin surface. They dissolve in water, but not completely.

How to treat hand allergies from detergents

Natural surfactants . Surfactants can be not only of synthetic origin, but also natural. Such ingredients are obtained from sugar cane, coconut, and corn. They are hypoallergenic. This type of surfactant is used only in expensive household chemicals.

Bleaches . Classified as toxic and allergenic substances, bleaches have a disinfecting effect and dissolve organic contaminants. Usually the bleaching component is chlorine or peroxides.

Enzymes . These are enzymes that dissolve persistent contaminants (fats, proteins, etc.). They also often cause allergies because they have a protein structure.

Flavors and pigments . Both pigments and fragrances are strong allergens. Fragrances give laundry a pleasant smell. The role of pigments is to preserve the color of things.

Provoking factors . The components of washing powder cause irritation when used, and even after washing they are not completely washed out of things. Even additional rinsing doesn't help. In this case, when putting on washed items, powder particles come into contact with the surface of the skin.

Other things that can trigger an allergic reaction are:

• using too much washing powder when washing;
• hand wash without rubber gloves;
• using the same washing powder for washing children's underwear and clothes as for adults;
• poor rinsing of things;
• use of funds of dubious origin, stored in violation of the rules, etc.

Forecast

Favorable for timely diagnosis and treatment. The main rule is to quickly eliminate the causative allergen, otherwise therapy for the disease will be ineffective.

Be sure to use hypoallergenic baby laundry detergents.

1. Mako Clean. Contains surfactants based on plant materials. Eco-powder. Without fragrances and phosphates. Produced in Russia.
2. Lind. Developed on the basis of a special formula from natural and herbal ingredients. Manufacturers advise using this powder both for washing items of clothing and bedding for a newborn, and for washing clothes for a young mother.
3. LV. The powder is produced in Finland. The formula was developed with the participation of the union of patients suffering from allergies and bronchial asthma. Easily washed out of fabrics. Made only from high quality components.
4. Ecover Zero. Has Asthma-Allergie certificates. Based on mineral and plant components. Biodegradable. Without fragrances, preservatives, petroleum products. Highly environmentally friendly. Produced in Belgium.
5. Miene Liebe. Does not contain chemically aggressive components. Can be used from birth. Economical. Safe. Eco-friendly. Country of origin: Denmark.

Treatment

You can get rid of an unwanted reaction with the help of special medications. If symptoms are moderate, you should take a tablet of any antihistamine that you have on hand. This could be Loratadine, Cetrin or Suprastin.

Be sure to shower using hypoallergenic soap. This will help wash away powder particles from the skin and reduce discomfort. Clothes must be washed with soap and rinsed thoroughly with cool water.

Compresses with a decoction of chamomile, calendula or mint will help speed up skin restoration, but only if you are not allergic to these herbs. A bath with a decoction of medicinal herbs is recommended for infants to eliminate allergy symptoms.

If swelling and eczema are severe, you should consult your doctor. To eliminate symptoms, ointments based on glucocorticosteroids may be required, which reduce inflammation, relieve swelling and reduce the activity of histamine receptors.

Replacing laundry products will help avoid a repeat allergic reaction. When choosing it, you must carefully study the composition. Preference is given to powders without phosphates. In some cases, it is generally advisable to use regular laundry soap. When washing by hand, you must wear thick rubber gloves.

Useful information for parents

Remember: your baby's skin is very sensitive and needs special care.

1. If you have an established allergy to household chemicals, use only high-quality, eco-friendly washing powder for your children's and your clothes.
   The clothes of a young mother also need to be washed with hypoallergenic powder, since the baby comes into contact with them.
2. Use new cosmetics and medications with caution.
3. Do not use creams that have expired.
4. Pay attention to the composition of cosmetic products. It is better to choose products without fragrances and preservatives.
5. Show your baby to an allergist and dermatologist in a timely manner.

Do not use soap, it dries out the skin too much.

How to get rid of allergies?

Any allergy requires a comprehensive approach. The first thing to do is try to protect the child from exposure to the irritant. If you suspect that your baby is allergic to washing powder, you need to wash his clothes and bedding. You can use laundry soap - in liquid form or pre-grated. Then proceed according to the following scheme:

1. Give your child an antihistamine. Fenistil, Zyrtec drops, and Suprastin tablets are suitable for infants. At an older age, you can give a suitable antiallergic drug in an age-appropriate dosage. You should not expect that the rash will go away immediately; you will have to take the antihistamine for a long time - from several days to a week.
2. Lubricate the spots on the skin with an antihistamine and antipruritic agent. Fenistil gel, papaverine cream (made in a pharmacy according to a prescription), Gistan cream (herbal) are perfect. You can lubricate the skin with melted papaverine suppositories - the effect will be no worse than the ointment.
3. Give the baby a sorbent - Enterosgel, Atoxil, Smecta will do. These drugs bind and remove toxins from the body.
4. Consult a pediatrician and allergist. In difficult cases, the doctor may prescribe hormonal ointments containing hydrocorticosteroids.

What skin care products should you use?

Allergists recommend that young patients use medicinal cosmetics from the Topicrem, Uryazh, Bioderma, and Physiogel series. You must have the entire series of products.

Products from the Aven and Ducret laboratories are well suited for cleansing the skin.

Deeply moisturize the skin of newborns Lipikar-Balm, Mustela StelAtopia cream-emulsion, Lipidiosis 1,2,3. In moments of exacerbation of the disease, it is recommended to use Atoderm cream with zinc and Lipikar bath oil. In remission - Mustela cream-emulsion.

Atoderm with zinc and Mustela inhibit the growth of bacteria.

Complications

Complications that may arise due to untimely treatment, as well as therapy without the supervision of a specialist, can pose a threat not only to the baby’s health, but also to his life.

What can you do

The baby’s parents should call a doctor at the first signs. An allergic reaction can act like a time bomb. If you do not see a doctor in time, severe complications can endanger the baby’s life. You should not self-medicate. At this age, side effects from the wrong dose can be fatal. When purchasing medications, carefully read the instructions for use, contraindications and duration of use.

During treatment, pay close attention to the specialist’s recommendations and, first of all, eliminate the allergen, make sure that it

What does a doctor do

The doctor selects the most harmless medications for the baby, aimed at accelerating the skin healing process and eliminating associated painful symptoms. It is better to start treatment as soon as possible to prevent the development of complications. The doctor recommends taking special herbal baths, using topical ointments, antihistamines to eliminate the reaction to the allergen and eliminate swelling.

In most cases, therapy is quite individual. The specialist assesses the child’s condition, the characteristics of his body, and then prescribes a course of treatment appropriate to the patient’s tender age.

Also shown are immunostimulating drugs and a complex of vitamins for the little ones.

Memo to parents

1. According to statistics, from 7 to 10% of young children suffer from one or another manifestation of allergic contact dermatitis.
2. One of the most common causes of contact allergies in infants is washing powder.
3. Allergy to washing powder is a delayed-type allergic hypersensitivity reaction. Manifestations of allergies may appear 3 to 14 days after skin contact with the allergen.
4. If you have an established allergy to household chemicals, use only high-quality, eco-friendly washing powder for your children's and your clothes.
5. Allergists recommend that young patients use medicinal cosmetics from the Topicrem, Uryazh, Bioderma, and Physiogel series.

How to choose a safe baby powder

Choose special powders for children or newborns. These are hypoallergenic products with a soft, gentle composition. The most popular among nursing mothers in Russia is Eared Nanny powder. It does not have a strong odor, rinses well and removes even old stains. But keep in mind that even such an effective and popular powder as Eared Nanny can cause a negative reaction in a baby.

The choice depends on the individual developmental characteristics of the child. If the product causes allergies, change the brand. Keep searching until you find the right one!

Before purchasing, carefully study the composition, check the expiration date, the presence of a certificate and the integrity of the packaging. Eco-friendly products without phosphates and surfactants are the safest, as they are made on a plant or potassium detergent base. In addition, there are products with a minimum content of phosphates and surfactants with higher washing quality, but an increased risk of an allergic reaction. Please note that powders for children should not contain more than 10-15% surfactants and phosphates.

A reaction to washing powder is a common type of allergy in children, especially infants. The occurrence of an allergic reaction is mainly associated with the hereditary predisposition of some children to allergies and non-compliance with production standards for household chemicals. To prevent allergies, parents need to carefully select detergents and follow the rules for washing children's clothes.

Prevention

Preventive measures in this case are quite simple. Now the household industry offers a large range of specially designed children's washing powders that are hypoallergenic. By choosing such a powder for washing children's clothes, you can rest assured that the baby will not experience allergy symptoms and suffer from accompanying even more unpleasant symptoms. Experts also in this matter advise rinsing the laundry several times to be sure that the substances contained in the powder have dissolved and been washed off with water from the washed clothes. Usually these manipulations are enough to avoid the disease. Special powders do not contain dangerous flavors and limited amounts of phosphates.