A condition in which red, itchy blisters appear on the skin is called hives. Usually, a dermatologist is involved in the treatment of this disease. An obligatory component of treatment for urticaria of any origin is the appointment of a special diet.
Reasons for the appearance
Hives can occur on the skin for many reasons. The most common are:
- The appearance of blisters after eating certain foods that provoke skin rashes. This is the so-called food urticaria.
- Chemical option. It occurs after contact with a variety of chemical and industrial substances (for example, with household chemicals or hygiene products). The brighter the color of the liquid in the bottle, the more likely your baby is to develop itchy blisters on the skin. This problem can occur after using certain medicinal ointments or creams.
- In the cold season, with a sharp drop in ambient temperature, a cold variant may occur. With this variant of the disease, exposed areas of the body are more affected, more exposed to wind and frost. In young children, the thermoregulatory system is not yet perfect. Even with not very severe frost, but with individual sensitivity to cold, the first symptoms of the disease may appear.
- The reverse variant is the thermal variant of urticaria. It usually occurs when the temperature rises. It is also important to note here that manifestations can appear with relatively small deviations - for example, when the temperature rises by a couple of degrees. Often this variant of the disease occurs in the warm season, when solar insolation is strongly activated. Where the sun's rays fall, red inflamed spots appear.
- Cholinergic variant is a rather rare variant of urticaria. It occurs with allergic diseases in a baby. Blistering of the skin is facilitated by a variety of biologically active substances that are triggered during autoimmune diseases. This variant of the disease occurs no more than 10% of all cases of urticaria.
- Recently, cases of aquagenic variant of urticaria have become more frequent. Manifestations begin after contact with the skin of liquid. It can be any: after rain, flowing, from reservoirs. Industrial fluoridation of water significantly degrades the quality of the liquid. This leads to an increased incidence of this type of urticaria in children.
Various types of urticaria can occur in a child at any age.
Often they are provoked by improper diet, strong physical and emotional stress, which lead to stress, inadequate sleep and rest.
What foods cause blistering of the skin?
A healthy diet is one of the key factors in fighting urticaria. The first allergenic foods can enter the baby's body as early as 6 months. At this time, mothers begin to give the babies the first complementary foods. Pay attention to the baby's skin condition after the introduction of each new complementary food. It should be clean with no signs of scratching or red spots.
Foods that can cause urticaria include:
- All chocolate coated confectionery. Cocoa beans and cocoa butter are both strong allergens. Even in small amounts, they can trigger a large release of histamine. This biologically active substance triggers a number of chemical reactions inside the child's body. The outcome of these reactions on the skin is red large blisters with gray or even reddish contents. They itch a lot and bring great discomfort to the child.
- Sweet soda, packaged juices, and ready-made milkshakes. They contain a huge amount of chemical additives and dyes that cause food hives.
- Strong black tea. Unscrupulous tea makers can add dyes to it, which, when brewed, give the drink a beautiful color. Pay attention to whether the teacup stains when washed after brewing the tea. If there is a dark coating on it, it is most likely that dye has been added to the tea. Such drinks should be discarded.
- A variety of nuts. Of course, nuts are considered to be very healthy. In their composition, they contain a lot of essential fats, which are needed by the child's body for the proper functioning of the nervous system. However, children with allergic reactions should not eat nuts. They can exacerbate the skin manifestations of urticaria. It is best to replace nuts with other sources of healthy fats. This is red fish (for children over three years old), as well as vegetable oil, which can be used to season vegetable salads. It is also added to porridge.
- Fruits and vegetables are red. Be careful when adding red vegetables and fruits to your child's diet. Children often have an allergic reaction. Better to give preference to green vegetables. Yellow and white berries and fruits are considered less allergenic foods. They can be used more often in the menu.
Basic postulates
To understand which diet to give preference for hives, you should determine the cause that led to the development of the disease. Considering that a significant percentage of the causes are associated with the intake of food (allergens), a hypoallergenic diet should be chosen.
This is a diet without products that provoke the appearance of itchy elements on the skin.
Pediatricians recommend eliminating all highly allergenic foods. The emphasis is on the inclusion in the diet of lean meats, cereals and green vegetables. You can eat fresh fermented milk products (if the child does not have lactase deficiency).
The rules that should be followed so that the baby does not develop hives:
- Eliminate all foods that can become allergens. They provoke inflammation, increasing the appearance of itchy blisters on the skin. This rule is more applicable to the dietary and cholinergic variant of urticaria. It should be noted that food-provocateurs should be excluded for life! Even after many years, when an allergen product enters the body, inflammation can begin again. Lymphocytes - cells of the immune system - are responsible for this. Even having met an allergen once, they remain sensitive to it and remember it for life.
- Sufficient drinking regime. Water cleanses the body of toxic products that are formed during allergic reactions. Adequate intake of pure water activates the kidneys and stimulates the activity of the excretory system. All metabolic products are easily excreted from the body.
- Balanced nutrition. Basically, such a diet should include 30-40% protein, 50% carbohydrates and about 20% fat. Daily calorie content is calculated according to age tables. All products must be of high quality and free from chemical additives. Children who are prone to allergic reactions are shown more natural products. It is better to cook at home and not to abuse food in catering establishments. There, spices or seasonings are usually added to the dishes, which can provoke a new attack of bubbles.
- Regular inclusion in the diet of fresh vegetables and fruits (mostly green). Give preference to fruits that grow in your area of ​​residence. The fiber contained in plant products has an excellent cleansing effect on the gastrointestinal tract. It gently removes all formed toxins and removes them from the body. It helps to cleanse the skin of blisters and breakouts.
Following all of these easy rules will help reduce your risk of developing foodborne urticaria and cholinergic urticaria.
With other options, such a diet will help speed up the healing process after a rash occurs. The elimination of allergenic foods from the diet is a necessary measure to prevent new exacerbations of urticaria.
What to cook for your baby?
For a hypoallergenic diet, opt for recipes with a minimal combination of different ingredients. Adding seasonings and spices is not allowed. Limit yourself to a little salt or sugar.
Stuffed chicken cutlets with broccoli
Take chicken breast from one chicken. Remove all skin. Then use a blender to cook the minced meat. Pour one egg into it, salt a little and stir well until smooth. Soak a piece of white wheat bread in milk. When the bread is soaked well, squeeze it thoroughly and mix with the minced chicken.
Boil broccoli in boiling water (for 5-7 minutes).
Chop finely with a knife, but do not puree. Take some minced meat in your palm, put some broccoli inside, then mince again. Form into small patties.
The cutlets can be baked in the oven or cooked in a slow cooker - according to your taste. Do not fry in a pan. The dish goes well with boiled rice or buckwheat porridge.
See below for more details.
A diet for various skin diseases (including urticaria) is the basis of a set of therapeutic measures. It is aimed at relieving the aggravation that led to the formation of itchy blisters on the skin.
