The worries and questions we have when having a baby are not few. Everything involving their health and growth is something new, something we usually want to investigate. Problems like allergy in newborns, for example, are much more common than many people think, but it is something that can catch many mothers by surprise and make some of them afraid of the unexpected. Allergy in newborns is a problem that can happen to anyone, in several different ways, and exactly for this reason, it is necessary to understand the types of allergies babies usually have to know how to deal with each one.

Main Causes of Allergy in Newborns

When an allergy appears while the baby is still a newborn, it is necessary to consider that the cause may be hereditary. Even so, it does not necessarily appear exactly the same way as in the father or mother, even if it can be identified as hereditary. We also cannot dismiss the baby’s fragility, especially when we talk about skin allergies. In fact, these are the most common in babies, precisely because of the fragility of the skin and the constant exposure of this organ to products, fabrics, and different environments.

Most Common Types of Allergy in Newborns

We can say there are three main types of allergies in newborns. They are:

  • Food Allergy
  • Skin Allergy
  • Allergy to Products
  • Respiratory Allergy

These are not the only types of allergy in newborns, but they are the most common and the ones that raise the most questions, so we will talk about each one of them specifically.

Food Allergy

This type of allergy in newborns usually happens because the baby’s immune system is still very fragile, which makes it possible for a baby to develop hypersensitivity to various types of food. When some foods are introduced to the baby before 6 months of age, these allergies are more likely to develop, especially because during this period babies should only be breastfed. Some of the symptoms of food allergy in babies include vomiting and diarrhea, red spots on the skin, difficulty breathing, itching of the skin, and a runny nose.

Skin Allergy

As we mentioned earlier, skin allergies, for several reasons, are the most common among newborns. It is very common to see small red spots and skin irritations in babies for many different reasons. Diaper allergy, for example, is very common in many babies and causes irritation in the buttocks area. Besides all these factors like clothes and foods that cause changes on the baby’s skin, we also have to consider that insect bites are more powerful in babies and can also cause allergies. The various types of dermatitis that exist may follow the baby throughout their life or fade in childhood, depending on several factors.

Respiratory Allergy

The most common respiratory allergies like rhinitis or asthma are usually genetic, but they can also be acquired due to the baby’s environment, because of factors like pollution, animals with fur, among other things. The earlier the treatments for these allergies begin, the more effective they can be.

Allergy to Products

Often, products that are part of our everyday life end up becoming villains when they come into contact with newborns. This is the case with some cleaning products, which may seem harmless to us, but can cause various reactions in babies, especially regarding breathing, but also on the skin, depending on the type of contact the baby has with the product. The same goes for various insecticides and even soaps and shampoos. That is why you must be very careful and watch closely to make sure the baby does not have more serious problems in the future.

What to Do When the Baby Has an Allergy

The first thing to do when an allergy in a newborn is noticed is to seek a doctor so that they can indicate the best treatment. Normally, the treatment is based on corticosteroids that act directly on the allergy-causing agent. In many cases, the baby is cured and never shows signs of that type of allergy again, but in others the allergy only reduces and the baby continues to have problems even as an adult. It all depends on the type of allergy and the kind of treatment they received. Despite all the concerns mothers have with newborns, it is important to know that, especially nowadays with the advances in technology and medicine, problems like allergies in newborns can be solved quite easily. This does not mean, of course, by any means, that a mother should not worry, on the contrary. It is exactly because there are various appropriate treatments that a mother should research, visit a doctor, and understand what her baby is going through to know exactly how to act in moments like this. This is the best way to prevent problems like allergies from becoming bigger issues or obstacles to the development or life of your baby. See Also: Allergy to Medicines in Children Photo: CCO Public Domain