Dietary Management: The Key to Treating Infant Atopic Dermatitis
The newborn stage is the most vulnerable period for the human body, when the immune system is still developing and susceptible to allergen triggers that can induce atopic dermatitis. This chronic eczema not only torments infants but also exhausts new parents. Experts suggest that properly adjusting feeding methods can help alleviate symptoms and even prevent worsening.
Breastfeeding Alone May Not Prevent Allergies? Check Mom’s Diet First
Doctors have always recommended breastfeeding for babies with allergic tendencies, as breast milk contains many beneficial components for immune system development. However, some new moms find that despite exclusive breastfeeding, their babies still experience recurrent atopic dermatitis flare-ups.
Experts explain that this could be due to the baby’s allergy to certain foods consumed by the mother. Foods like seafood, nuts, and legumes are high-risk allergens that can be passed to the baby through breast milk. Therefore, when moms limit their intake of such foods, some babies may see improvement in their atopic dermatitis symptoms.
Timing of Solid Food Introduction is Crucial to Prevent Recurring Eczema
However, in some cases, adjusting the mother’s diet alone is not enough. Experts point out that when the baby reaches 4.5 months old, the timing of introducing solid foods is extremely important. Continuing exclusive breastfeeding without timely introduction of other solid foods may make it difficult to break the vicious cycle of atopic dermatitis.
Research shows that for 2-3 month old infants with atopic dermatitis who do not improve with breastfeeding alone, the following three approaches can be tried:
Stop breastfeeding and switch to partially hydrolyzed hypoallergenic formula with solid foods. Reduce breastfeeding proportion and supplement with partially hydrolyzed hypoallergenic formula and solid foods. Continue breastfeeding but introduce solid foods on time. The study found that babies who stopped breastfeeding (group 1) showed the most significant improvement in symptoms.
When to Use Fully Hydrolyzed Formula? Nutritional Value May Be Lower
For infants with severe diarrhea, doctors may recommend fully hydrolyzed formula because the high degree of protein hydrolysis reduces the size of protein molecules, decreasing the likelihood of allergic reactions. However, fully hydrolyzed formulas are significantly more expensive and may have lower nutritional value compared to regular formulas.
Therefore, for most infants with atopic dermatitis, doctors suggest prioritizing partially hydrolyzed hypoallergenic formulas. Fully hydrolyzed formulas should only be considered if symptoms cannot be relieved with partially hydrolyzed options.
Switching to Goat’s Milk or Plant-Based Milk? Protein Size Still Too Large
Some parents choose goat’s milk or plant-based milk like soy milk to avoid cow’s milk protein allergies. However, experts point out that this is a misconception. The root cause of allergies is not the type of milk but the large size of the protein molecules.
Unhydrolyzed goat’s milk or plant-based milk still contains excessively large protein molecules that not only fail to prevent allergies but may even exacerbate symptoms. Therefore, for infants under one year old, partially hydrolyzed hypoallergenic formulas remain the ideal choice.
Diarrhea, Bloating Not Necessarily Allergy Symptoms? Check Formula Concentration and Lactose Tolerance
Some babies experience diarrhea, bloating, or vomiting when first introduced to formula, often leading parents to suspect a cow’s milk protein allergy. However, experts say this could simply be caused by over-concentrated formula or the baby’s lactose intolerance.
It is recommended to stop the formula for 2-3 days and then reintroduce it. If symptoms persist, then a milk protein allergy may be considered. In general, if a cow’s milk protein allergy is confirmed in the gut, doctors would recommend switching to a fully hydrolyzed formula, as it is more suitable for treating gastrointestinal allergic reactions.
Exercise Caution with Herbal Medicines, Consult Professionals
Some parents prefer using herbal medicines to treat their babies’ atopic dermatitis, but experts urge caution and advise verifying the safety and efficacy first. Currently, there is a lack of evidence-based research supporting the use of herbal remedies for alleviating atopic dermatitis, and some herbal ingredients are complex and difficult to regulate.
Therefore, if using herbal medicines, it is essential to consult a reputable traditional Chinese medicine practitioner and avoid indiscriminate use of products with unknown ingredients. Additionally, during the treatment period, Western medications should not be discontinued entirely; a 2-hour interval between herbal and Western medicines is recommended.
Fish Oil Rich in Beneficial Compounds, but Heavy Metal Contamination a Concern
Research has shown that the fatty acids in fish oil can help alleviate allergic inflammation symptoms. However, due to environmental pollution, some fish oils may be contaminated with heavy metals, which can adversely affect a baby’s health.
Nowadays, more and more manufacturers voluntarily provide heavy metal test reports for their fish oil products. Consumers can request these reports to choose safe fish oils that meet national standards. Alternatively, parents can feed their babies more deep-sea fish like tuna and salmon, as the head and eye areas are concentrated with beneficial lipids that can help improve allergic symptoms.
Clinical Evidence for Health Supplements Still Lacking, Multiple Supplements May Negate Effects
In recent years, various over-the-counter allergy health supplements have become increasingly popular, but most lack rigorous clinical trials, and their efficacy remains to be further proven. Currently, in the domestic market, only those health supplements certified with the “Little Green Man” logo have undergone toxicological assessments and demonstrated some basic efficacy.
However, even for these certified products, the available research data is limited to animal studies, and their actual effects on humans are still lacking sufficient evidence. Experts urge caution, as health supplements cannot replace primary treatment, and consumers should carefully evaluate their choices.
Furthermore, it is advisable not to consume multiple different health supplements simultaneously. Doing so may negate their respective effects, and long-term, excessive intake of these unproven supplements can strain the liver and kidneys. The safest approach is to choose one supplement suited to your needs, consistently take it for an extended period, and evaluate its impact on your body before making a decision.
Allergy Test Results Serve as Reference, Observe Actual Reactions
Modern medicine extensively uses skin tests or blood tests to screen for allergens, especially for infants under one year old with atopic dermatitis. Doctors will assess potential food allergens. If the test results indicate that specific foods may exacerbate a baby’s skin symptoms, doctors will typically recommend avoiding those foods during this stage.
However, for older children, doctors will not strictly prohibit certain foods based solely on test results. This is because after the age of two, a child’s oral tolerance ability starts to mature, and some previous allergens may become less sensitized, causing no reactions.
Therefore, for older children, even if allergy test results are positive, doctors will arrange for actual feedings and closely observe the reactions. If there are no adverse reactions, those food items can be consumed in moderation to help develop the child’s oral tolerance.
Dietary Adjustments Tailored to Baby’s Constitution and Age
In summary, the key to alleviating atopic dermatitis lies in dietary control to reduce allergic reactions. However, the specific approach must be adjusted according to the baby’s age, constitution, and severity of symptoms.
For infants under one year old, doctors recommend trying methods such as changing the mother’s diet, switching formula types, or introducing solid foods. If these measures are ineffective, then more expensive fully hydrolyzed formulas can be considered. For older children, allergy test results should be combined with observations from actual feedings to determine whether to continue consuming certain foods.
Regardless of the method used, dietary control is crucial for relieving a baby’s atopic dermatitis distress. Parents should be patient in trying different approaches and maintain consultation with professional doctors to find the most suitable, tailored solution.
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