Allergy is a disease associated with increased sensitivity of the immune system to a specific allergen. Absolutely different substances can act as irritants. The baby's body reacts especially sensitively to allergens.
Rarely, but allergic reactions to taking vitamins do occur. One of them is vitamin D. Almost from birth, children are prescribed the drug as a means of preventing rickets. But after some time after starting treatment, some infants may experience symptoms of an allergic reaction. Therefore, you need to find out whether this is a true allergy to the vitamin or an overdose.
What can trigger an allergy?
As noted above, many people mistake an allergic response to existing calciferol for an overdose of this microelement. The reason for an allergy to vitamin D3 is that it usually occurs if a young mother, while breastfeeding her baby, takes mineral supplements and additionally gives them to the newborn. The problem may also occur if the mother gives the child vitamin D and often takes the child outside.
Sometimes instead, infants are prescribed the drug D2, which is produced in the form of a lighter oil emulsion. Therefore, it is extremely difficult for parents to correctly calculate the dose of ergocalciferol for their baby. But it is worth noting that D2 is not recommended for children suffering from gastrointestinal diseases, as well as pathological metabolic processes that can be caused by renal or liver failure.
What can trigger the reaction?
Most often, parents confuse allergies with an overdose of calciferol. It occurs when the mother of a breastfed baby takes vitamin and mineral complexes and, in addition, gives them to the baby. The same can be said about those cases when a child spends a lot of time outside in the bright sun and additionally drinks medications containing microelements.
In some cases, instead of vitamin D3, infants are prescribed vitamin D2. It is produced in the form of an oil emulsion. Because of this, it is very difficult for parents to calculate the dosage of ergocalciferol for their baby. An overdose of this medication often occurs.
Often children have an allergic reaction not to a microelement; an allergic response occurs to any components of the drug containing it. For example, if a mother uses Multi-Tabs Baby to compensate for calciferol deficiency, it can be caused by:
- Cremophor EL;
- vitamin A;
- sucrose;
- hydrochloric acid;
- vitamin C.
Irritants that cause a reaction can be substances such as:
- phenylcarbinol;
- lemon acid;
- anise-based flavoring.
When using Oxidevit, alfacalcidol or ionol may cause an allergic reaction in an infant. When using Vigantol, its development can be triggered by triglyceride fats.
First of all, you need to stop taking medications containing vitamin D. Then seek help from a pediatrician, who, depending on the severity of the disease and the patient’s age, will prescribe therapy.
It may include:
- Antihistamines: if the baby is already a month old, he will prescribe Fenistil, Suprastin or Cetirizine; if infants are more than 6 months old, then medications such as Zodak, Claritin, Cetirizine, Zyrtec or Kestin.
- Ointments with an antihistamine effect. For example, “Gistan”, “Vundehil”, “Desitin”, “Bepanten” or “Fenistil”, “La-Cri”.
- Enterosorbents. They are necessary to remove toxins from the body. "Polifepan", "Smecta", "Enterosgel" or "Polysorb" can be used.
- Corticosteroids if the child develops angioedema.
Only a doctor should select medications to relieve an allergic reaction.
If the baby has an allergy, then the breastfeeding mother is advised to review her menu and remove foods that contain vitamin D from it. If the baby is bottle-fed, then you need to look at the composition of the formula. If there is calciferol in it, then it must be replaced. To more quickly remove the allergen from the child’s body, you should give him as much fluid as possible.
Vitamin D is a natural substance in the body that is not capable of causing immune system reactions. Thus, an allergy to vitamin D is impossible. If allergy symptoms occur, you should look for another cause that caused it.
It is rare, but possible, that allergies may occur when taking uncertified vitamin D supplements, in which case the allergy symptoms will be caused by foreign substances contained in the supplement.
In addition, an allergic reaction can develop to the auxiliary components of original, good drugs.
So, according to the above facts, it turned out that there is no allergy to vitamin D by itself. However, it is necessary to differentiate the emerging undesirable consequences of its use in order to prevent them.
Overdose
The most basic problem is an overdose of vitamin D. The daily requirement for this element in a child is 400 IU, in adults it is less. If 1000-1500 IU enters the body, undesirable effects develop. In addition, we must not forget about the natural routes of vitamin intake (Dr. E.O. Komarovsky always pays special attention to this).
According to Komarovsky
If a child spends at least 2-3 hours a week outdoors, this should be enough to prevent rickets.
When taking a counterfeit drug (for example, there are known cases of non-original medicine Aquadetrim entering the market), children develop an allergy to low-quality raw materials.
How long does it take for an allergy to Aquadetrim to appear?
This happens most often after 1-2 weeks of use, when sensitization has already formed. A true allergic reaction to the components of some high-quality drugs is also possible.
Intolerance
But if individual intolerance develops, then the reaction develops immediately and is manifested by the following symptoms:
- nausea, vomiting;
- constipation or diarrhea;
- skin rashes;
- swelling;
- temperature increase.
In this case, a similar reaction will form when consuming products with cholecalciferol.
It is also possible to have a reaction to vitamin D when taking certain medications (for example, hormone therapy, anti-tuberculosis drugs, and diuretics).
Symptoms
Most often, adverse reactions when using vitamin D preparations develop as if it were an allergy to vitamin D. The symptoms are almost always the same:
- skin itching;
- rash, especially on the face;
- irritation, inflammation, peeling of the skin;
- eczema;
- gastrointestinal symptoms;
- swelling;
- rarely - runny nose, conjunctivitis.
How long does it take for a vitamin D allergy to go away?
Immediately after discontinuation of the drug, the constant release of histamine, intestinal and respiratory symptoms cease. Skin manifestations may persist for another 5-7 days (with steady regression). If symptoms do not subside, then its cause has been identified incorrectly.
In children
Allergy to vitamin D in infants occurs for the same reasons as in older children and adults. It appears:
- more intense skin symptoms;
- sometimes - an increase in temperature;
- tearfulness, capriciousness of the child;
- refusal to eat;
- sleep disturbance;
- stool disorder.
We suggest you read: Vitamins when planning pregnancy: what are they, how to choose the best, what vitamins to take when planning pregnancy?
Treatment
Therapy should be based on the reason for the development of undesirable reactions:
- Individual intolerance. Cancellation of all drugs and products with cholecalciferol, to meet the need for vitamin D - frequent walks outside;
- Allergy to low-quality drugs. Replacing the drug with a medicine of the same brand, but of high quality;
- Allergy to auxiliary components of the drug. Replacing the drug with a product that does not contain allergy-causing additives. It is preferable to choose oil solutions of the product;
- Overdose. Discontinuation of the drug for a period of 1-2 months (during which walks outside are required), then administration of the drug, but in an adequate dose.
In case of true allergies, antihistamines (Fenistil, suprastin, cetirizine, etc.) and local glucocorticoids are used. In all cases, enterosorbents, moisturizing creams and ointments are used, and sometimes emollients.
How to replace vitamin D if you are allergic to it?
You can choose another drug, eat foods with cholecalciferol. If they are not absorbed, take more walks.
Rickets and vitamin D allergy - what to do?
Today, rickets is a forgotten disease. It can only affect antisocial children who do not leave their apartment for weeks. To prevent rickets, just walk more.
If this is not possible, then you need to try to choose a drug that contains a minimum of synthetic additives. If rickets has already developed, then he will be treated in a hospital, and therapy will be selected there. If necessary, the allergen will be administered together with hormonal drugs, for example, prednisolone.
As noted above, many people mistake an allergic response to existing calciferol for an overdose of this microelement. The reason for an allergy to vitamin D3 is that it usually occurs if a young mother, while breastfeeding her baby, takes mineral supplements and additionally gives them to the newborn. The problem may also occur if the mother gives the child vitamin D and often takes the child outside.
Sometimes instead, infants are prescribed the drug D2, which is produced in the form of a lighter oil emulsion. Therefore, it is extremely difficult for parents to correctly calculate the dose of ergocalciferol for their baby. But it is worth noting that D2 is not recommended for children suffering from gastrointestinal diseases, as well as pathological metabolic processes that can be caused by renal or liver failure.
Allergy symptoms
You can find out about the presence of intolerance to a microelement some time after consuming vitamin D, as well as drugs that contain it in their composition. Initially, an excessive amount of this substance accumulates in the body, and then an allergic reaction develops.
Typically, the following symptoms of an allergy to vitamin D appear in an infant:
- rashes that look like small blisters that appear on the stomach, neck, thighs and cheeks;
- increased urination;
- elevated temperature;
- itching, burning sensation;
- the occurrence of vomiting;
- impaired breathing;
- dry mouth;
- insomnia, excessive nervousness;
- constipation or diarrhea, excessive bloating;
- frequent sneezing;
- acidosis is an excessive shift in the acid and alkaline balance.
Causes
There are a lot of foods that cause food allergies. Often the provoking factor that triggers the allergic process is some substance included in the product with pronounced antigenic properties.
The most common causes of food allergies include:
- Citrus and other tropical fruits. Extractive substances and fruit acids have pronounced allergenic properties. Even a small amount of such exotic fruits contributes to the appearance of adverse manifestations of allergies.
- Seafood. Many mothers add them to their children’s diet for the first time at 3-4 years old. It is at this time that the first signs of allergies are most often recorded. Very often seafood causes... There have even been cases of anaphylactic shock.
- Chocolate and all sweets containing cocoa beans.
- Cow's milk protein. 50% of American children have increased sensitivity and intolerance to this product. Typically, the first signs of the disease develop in the first year of a child’s life. At this time, many mothers dilute adapted mixtures with cow's milk or cook milk porridges with it.
- Products containing gluten. This vegetable protein is found in wheat flour, as well as in many cereals. The entry of gluten into the intestines leads not only to the development of symptoms of celiac disease, but also to the appearance of an allergic reaction.
- Berries and fruits of red and yellow colors. They contain many plant coloring pigments that contribute to the development of allergies. These components have a high allergenic effect. Even yellow and red vegetables should be introduced into the diet of a child with a predisposition to allergies very carefully and gradually.
- Industrially prepared food. Typically, these prepared foods contain too many additional flavorings and spices. These components have a pronounced sensitizing effect on the immune system, provoking the development of food allergies.
- Sweet carbonated drinks. To give a beautiful color, unscrupulous manufacturers often add low-quality dyes. Such components not only contribute to the occurrence of allergic reactions in babies. When taken for a long time, they can have a toxic effect on the liver and pancreas.
- Improper nutrition of the mother during lactation. Infants can develop food allergies as a result of allergens entering the body through breast milk. If a nursing mother eats foods with a high allergenic effect, then the risk of developing diathesis or the appearance of adverse symptoms of atopic dermatitis in the child increases several times.
- Using incorrectly selected mixtures. Some adapted mixtures can cause allergies in the baby. The more ingredients that are included in these products, the harder it is to understand which of them caused the allergy. The most common adverse allergy symptoms are caused by formulas containing cow's milk powder or gluten.
- Chicken and quail eggs. If a baby has an intolerance to chicken, then in 80% of cases he will also have an increased risk of developing allergic reactions when eating eggs.
- Nuts. Any type can cause allergies. Even small amounts of chopped nuts found in various breakfast cereals or nutritional candy bars contribute to the development of food allergy symptoms. In America, even the presence of traces of nuts is required to be labeled in all products that can be purchased in the supermarket.
Main features
If your newborn develops any of the following symptoms of an allergy after taking vitamin D, you should definitely consult a doctor:
If a newborn's disease is accompanied by diarrhea, vomiting or excessive regurgitation, there is a risk of developing acute intoxication. Chronic allergies may be indicated by slow fusion of the fontanelle, as well as impaired kidney function, which is detected after a urine test.
Is vitamin D to blame?
In some cases, newborns develop an allergic response to certain components of the drug. For example, if a woman compensates for the deficiency of calciferol by regularly giving her baby “Multi-Tabs Baby”, then in this case the allergy can be provoked by the contained vitamin C, Cremophor EL, as well as vitamin A. In addition, anise can cause an allergy to vitamin D in a baby flavoring, citric acid and phenylcarbinol.
When consuming Vigantol, the cause of excess vitamin D is triglyceride fats. When using Oxydevit in a newborn baby, allergies can be caused by ionol or alfacalcidol.
Final Cautions
If an allergy to vitamin D occurs, it occurs in very rare cases, and this happens mainly with an overdose. To prevent this, you should strictly follow the pediatrician's recommendations.
If breastfeeding is properly established, or a good formula for artificial feeding has been selected, the child’s body will receive the vitamins necessary for its full development. But still, to produce this microelement, the baby needs to spend more time in the sun.
A lack of vitamins in this group threatens the development of rickets, a rather dangerous disease that progresses very quickly, especially in infants. Therefore, do not delay treatment!
Parents should remember that any allergy is temporary, since the baby’s immunity is constantly developing. After some time it may disappear on its own. But if your newborn exhibits any of the pathological symptoms described above, you should immediately visit your pediatrician, especially if the child is not getting better.
You should not make a diagnosis yourself, since taking certain vitamins, not only group D, can provoke not only an allergic reaction, but also an overdose and other rather dangerous side effects.
Tags: allergy, vitamin, baby
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How to treat allergies?
Before prescribing a treatment regimen for vitamin D allergies in adults and children, the doctor must conduct certain laboratory tests. These are urine and blood tests that will make it possible to determine the presence of immunoglobulin E. In addition, it is also necessary to carry out skin tests.
In the future, the doctor will identify the severity of the allergy and prescribe the most effective treatment therapy, taking into account the age of the child. And of course, in order to quickly rid the baby of a negative reaction, it is necessary to immediately stop taking medications that may contain vitamin D.
Effective drugs
First of all, in case of an allergy to vitamin D in a newborn and older child, the following may be prescribed:
- Antihistamines: Cetirizine, Suprastin, Fenistil. If the baby is more than six months old, it is also allowed to take Kestin, Xyzal, Zodak or Claritin.
- Ointments with a persistent antihistamine effect: Advantan, Fenistil, Elidel, Gistan, La-Cri, Wundehil, Skin-Cap, Bepanten, Protopic or Desitin.
- Enterosorbents to eliminate harmful toxins: “Smecta”, “Polysorb” or “Enterosgel”.
- Corticosteroids, especially in the presence of angioedema.
Creams for babies need to be chosen very carefully, since many contain hormonal substances. And for some children they may not be safe. To cleanse the body of excess protein as quickly and effectively as possible, you can give the baby a cleansing enema. It is very important that only an experienced doctor prescribe medications for allergies.
What to do if you are allergic to vitamin D?
"Aquadetrim", a water-based solution of vitamin D3, is often prescribed to infants from 4 weeks of age and to nursing women. If a newborn has an allergy, a mother who is breastfeeding should remove from her menu some products that contain vitamin D. When artificial feeding, you need to choose special formulas without a high calciferol content.
Another quite important measure is to drink plenty of fluids: infants should choose high-quality non-carbonated drinking water. The water must be boiled, clean and fresh. Do not give raw tap water. You need to monitor your baby's drinking regime for about 2 weeks from the moment an allergic reaction is detected.
When all the symptoms of the described disease are eliminated, you can try, if necessary, using other products with this vitamin. An alternative is Devisol, or traditional fish oil, which additionally contains only alpha-tocopherol and oil.
It is highly not recommended to prescribe hormonal medications to newborn children, unless there is an emergency (for example, in case of anaphylaxis or angioedema). When the severity of the symptoms has been eliminated, treatment should continue further using non-hormonal medications until the symptoms completely disappear.
Prevention
When a doctor prescribes a child to take vitamin D regularly, it is better to first give him not the entire dose prescribed in the instructions, but only a small part of it. This way you can check the baby’s reaction to this drug. In the absence of allergies, the dosage should be gradually increased.
When introducing complementary foods to a child or feeding an adapted formula containing vitamin D, it is recommended to use the drug according to the following scheme: the baby should receive no more than 600 IU of this microelement per day.
When choosing medications for infants, parents should ensure that the composition contains a minimum amount of this substance. It is preferable to purchase drugs that have a very light oily or even aqueous base. This will make it possible to reduce the risk of an allergic response from taking calciferol.
If a child has already been diagnosed with an allergic reaction to this microelement, then parents should stop taking it. And instead of taking medications, it is better to spend more time walking in nature, in clean air, especially in the summer.
You should not give your child multivitamin preparations, which are popular nowadays, on your own if the pediatrician has not given clear instructions. The child’s body does not always need all the substances that are present in such complexes. And the need to assimilate them can cause the development of a negative reaction.
Cholicalciferol deficiency
The main role of vitamin D in a child’s body is the normal development of his skeleton.
Children who have signs of vitamin D deficiency and disturbances in the metabolism of calcium and phosphorus can increase the dosage of the drug to 6 drops per day. The main role of vitamin D in a child’s body is the normal development of his skeleton.
With a lack of elements, a disturbance in its structure develops. Normal absorption of calcium, which is impossible without vitamin D, contributes to the functioning of the nervous system. The lack of substances in the body contributes to excitability and restlessness in the child. The role of vitamin in the functioning of the immune system is important.
The main symptoms of calciferol deficiency are:
- underdevelopment and impaired development of bone tissue;
- limited joint mobility;
- non-overgrowing fontanel;
- low appetite and its complete absence;
- sleep disturbance;
- curvature of fingers;
- hair loss on the back of the head;
- increased sweating (especially head, feet and palms);
- sunken chest with deviations in volume.
Vitamin D is important for a child’s body, but overdoing it is dangerous. This can provoke an overdose, an allergy to the drug and calciferol itself.
