How does an allergy to strawberries manifest in children: photos, characteristic symptoms and treatment features

Strawberries are a delicacy for adults and children. It is a source of useful substances and vitamins for the human body.

But often, eating strawberries leads to food allergies, which is not uncommon even for those people who have never noticed such a reaction to other foods before.

Such an unpleasant phenomenon is understandable and removable. We will learn not only the causes and methods of treatment, but also the symptoms that will help to identify the problem in time and begin to get rid of it correctly.

Healing qualities

Strawberries contain a large amount of organic acids, essential oils, carbohydrates, fiber, vitamins and minerals. Thanks to this, the berry ensures the full growth and development of the child, and also has many beneficial properties:

1. Helps destroy pathogenic bacteria.
2. Removes toxic components from the body.
3. Stabilizes the functioning of the circulatory system, strengthens blood vessels.
4. Increases appetite.
5. Normalizes the functioning of the digestive system. Helps well with constipation and intestinal obstruction.
6. Calms the nervous system. It is recommended to consume berries if your child is restless during sleep.
7. Removes unpleasant odor from the oral cavity, cleanses and whitens tooth enamel.
8. Improves the condition of the skin, nails and hair due to zinc.
9. Supports the body's immune system.
10. Prevents the occurrence of infectious diseases.

The benefits of strawberries for children's bodies

Strawberries grow almost everywhere; experienced gardeners have learned to grow berries even in cold regions of the country. It is valued not only for its excellent taste, but also for its rich composition and invaluable benefits for the body. Strawberries are rich in vitamins A, B, folic acid, vitamin C (recent studies have shown that the content of this substance is many times higher than the amount found in black currants).

Additionally, strawberries include malic, succinic, phosphoric acid, pectin, manganese, selenium, phosphorus, calcium, magnesium and other useful microelements. The combination of useful components has the following effects on the child’s body:

• antimicrobial properties help fight various diseases, inflammatory processes in the respiratory tract, and bad breath;
• has a beneficial effect on the functioning of the digestive tract, useful for children prone to obesity and overeating;
• used as a diuretic;
• improves appetite and much more;
• normalizes metabolic processes.

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Can a child be allergic to strawberries?

Strawberries are a healthy and sweet berry, but at the same time they often cause allergy attacks, especially in children. Therefore, giving berries to infants under one year of age is strictly contraindicated. The child’s immune system, which is not fully strengthened, may recognize the product as a harmful antigen and respond with a hypersensitive reaction. Also, a provoking factor may be a lack of enzymes in the body or increased permeability of the intestinal walls, through which elements penetrate into the general bloodstream.

the question “can children be allergic to strawberries ” in the affirmative, and the symptoms of the disease can be of a different nature. After eating berries, a child may experience swelling, difficulty breathing, increased lacrimation, runny nose, or shortness of breath. The same symptoms can appear with pseudo-allergy if the baby has eaten too much natural treat. Needless to say, many mothers only encourage this behavior and try to feed their child for years to come. And since food immunity in young children is not yet sufficiently developed, this can provoke adverse consequences. Therefore, in order to avoid allergy attacks, it is recommended to introduce strawberries into a child’s diet only at 2-3 years of age.

On a note! An allergy to strawberries can occur at any time, but most often it occurs in preschool children. In the future, signs of the disease may disappear.

How to determine the reaction in children

In most cases, the immune response is observed in children. In this regard, giving fresh or processed berries to infants under 1 year of age is strictly prohibited.

Peculiarities

The reaction in children under 3 years of age is due to a lack of food enzymes at this age and a high degree of permeability of the mucous membrane of the digestive organs.

But as the child grows, the immune and digestive systems improve, so the berries are better absorbed by the body. Over time, the reaction to this product may disappear completely, which occurs by the age of 7-8 years without any treatment, or develops into a true allergy due to hereditary predisposition and the body’s negative response to a specific allergen.

Symptoms

Parents should know how a child is allergic to regular strawberries. The first signs may appear within the first 2 hours.

When the skin is damaged, the following symptoms appear:

• redness;
• rash of various properties on the body;
• sudden appearance of severe swelling;
• sudden appearance of prickly heat in case of slight overheating;
• peeling and formation of scales on the scalp and eyebrows;
• constant diaper rash, even with careful adherence to all hygiene measures.

Symptoms of an allergy to a child’s favorite strawberries in the photo with explanations:

rashes on the body

diathesis

spots on hand

In case of damage to the digestive mucosa, the following symptoms may appear:

• constipation;
• vomit;
• regurgitation;
• excessive flatulence;
• loose stool with green matter and foam.

Much less often, allergies in children can manifest as a runny nose with copious discharge.

The most dangerous symptom is Quincke's edema, which manifests itself as suffocation in the larynx. Initially, hoarseness appears in the voice, developing into a barking cough. Then shortness of breath with a characteristic noise when the baby breathes. The complexion becomes bluish and then suddenly changes to a pale shade.

If the baby's mother ate a berry

Some people wonder if a child could have an allergy if the mother ate strawberries. Knowing this helps prevent the development of complications in infants.

The likelihood of an infant developing an allergy to strawberries when consumed by the mother is very high due to the red pigment. But this does not mean that every child will have such a reaction.

Doctors say that the risk of allergies is significantly reduced if a woman had strawberries in her diet during pregnancy, both fresh and processed. As a result, the baby’s digestion is to a certain extent adapted to the product.

It is recommended to introduce berries into the menu of a nursing mother no earlier than the child reaches 2 months of age and no more than 1 berry per day. Over the next two days, it is necessary to carefully monitor the behavior and condition of the baby’s skin. If everything went well, then the daily consumption of berries for mother can be gradually increased to 3-5 berries.

But if the baby has previously exhibited other types of allergies, then you should completely abandon the experiment so as not to risk his health.

How does a child allergy to strawberries manifest?

After a child has eaten a natural product, an allergy to strawberries appears within the first few hours. But sometimes symptoms of the disease appear only the next day.

After an allergy to strawberries, a child may experience:

• Stomach upset, diarrhea.
• Vomiting.
• Frequent breathing.
• Swelling of the nasopharynx.
• Rhinitis, nasal congestion.
• Headache.
• Increased tear production.
• A sore throat.
• A small rash on the body that causes continuous severe itching.
• Redness and irritation of the eyes.

If children are allergic to strawberries, their body temperature may rise, but this usually disappears soon after taking antipyretic medications. If hyperthermia lasts for a long time, and antipyretics do not help, you need to call a doctor at home.

An acute reaction to strawberries can cause anaphylactic shock. The most severe manifestation of hypersensitivity can be accompanied by itching, pain, quickly spreading throughout the body, a sharp drop in blood pressure, swelling of the mouth and larynx. In such cases, emergency hospitalization is required - every lost second can cost the child’s life.

Reaction to Victoria and strawberries - the same or not

All these berries are different in shape and size, but belong to the same family Rosaceae and are related crops. As a result, they all have a sweet and sour taste and a pleasant aroma of berries.

The chemical composition of these berries is also very similar and therefore, when consuming them, an allergic reaction can develop to the same extent.

The main symptoms in the event of a malfunction of the immune system when eating Victoria and strawberries are similar to the reaction when eating strawberries. In most cases, the reaction to the product appears within 2 hours, and sometimes instantly.

The main symptoms of allergy to strawberries and Victoria in children and adults:

• itching;
• vomit;
• diarrhea;
• nausea;
• hives;
• pain in the stomach;
• lacrimation;
• constant sneezing;
• swelling of the lips, cheeks, palate;
• elevated body temperature.

How does an allergy to strawberries and strawberries manifest:

In especially severe cases, a reaction to strawberries and Victoria can lead to attacks of bronchial asthma or cause anaphylaxis, as well as eczema.

First aid for infants with allergies

If a woman eats strawberries while breastfeeding, allergy attacks may also occur in the newborn. Therefore, pregnant and nursing mothers must follow a certain diet that excludes trigger foods.

It is also not recommended to give strawberries to a child under one year old - allergy symptoms can become severe, the most dangerous consequence being angioedema. With such a reaction there is a high risk of death.

If an allergy from strawberries worsens in a baby, it is necessary to provide the baby with first aid:

1. Unbutton tight clothing and remove diapers.
2. Clean the baby's mouth with clean water.
3. Place the baby on the crib, raising his legs (you can use several rolled up diapers).
4. Take an antihistamine, for example Suprastin.
5. Give your child more to drink.
6. For skin lesions, it is recommended to use Fenistil-gel and Soventol. The medication is approved for use in children from 1 month of age.

Also, to treat strawberry allergies in infants, sorbents can be prescribed: Smecta, Enterosgel, Polysorb. Medicines neutralize toxic substances that enter the blood and remove them from the body.

Causes hidden in the body

Allergies do not occur in all people, but recently their number has been increasing every year and it is important to understand why this happens in response to the use of strawberries. Experts identify several common factors contributing to the growth of these indicators:

• liver dysfunction;
• changes at hormonal levels;
• hereditary predisposition;
• breastfeeding a child for less than 6 months;
• regular inflammatory processes of the gastrointestinal tract.

Often, the appearance of an allergy from strawberries in a child and an adult is associated with its excessive consumption, several times higher than the daily norm. To replenish vitamins and minerals, a person only needs to eat 100 g of berries within one day.

What to do if your child is allergic to strawberries?

Before treating a child for a strawberry allergy, it is necessary to find out whether the berry is really an allergen. To determine the diagnosis, you can do a blood test for possible allergens or conduct an allergy test. During the procedure, the doctor scratches the baby's skin with a scarifier needle, after which he applies a drop of a provoking substance to it. If negative symptoms occur, the allergen is the suspected berry; if irritation does not occur, there is no danger in the form of strawberries for children.

Important! Scarification tests are not performed on children under 3 years of age.

If the diagnosis is confirmed, the natural product should be excluded from the diet.
After some time, you can try giving strawberries to your child 2-3 berries a day again. If symptoms appear, the introduction of berries is postponed. Antihistamines, ointments, creams and enterosorbents are used for treatment. The doctor may also recommend a diet that prohibits consuming foods that can aggravate the disease. Baths and compresses with decoctions of medicinal plants are used as folk remedies.

A modern method of treating hypersensitivity is ASIT, which is the gradual introduction of an allergen orally or subcutaneously. The duration of therapy is from 3 to 5 years. Many children develop resistance to the allergen after allergen-specific immunotherapy, and the symptoms of the disease disappear completely. However, ASIT can be prescribed only after the child reaches 3 years of age.

Features of the course

Allergy is a disease that occurs in unstable, more or less acute attacks and occurs in all groups of people, regardless of age and gender. Allergic irritation can affect one organ system or several at once.

Most often, the disease affects the respiratory and digestive organs, skin and mucous membranes. The immune system recognizes foreign proteins as potentially dangerous and begins to fight even harmless substances. Hyperfunction of the immune system leads to unpleasant consequences.

Fortunately, not all people are susceptible to allergies. Some groups of the population are at greater risk of becoming hostage to the disease. The disease develops under the influence of a whole range of factors:

1. Heredity. If parents or other close relatives of a potential allergy sufferer have shown sensitivity to certain substances and products, you should be wary.
2. Weakened immunity after severe infections or viruses.
3. Hormonal changes in the body. Often allergies develop during puberty or aging. Pregnant and lactating women suffer from hypersensitivity.
4. Exposure to severe stress in adulthood can also lead to the development of allergies.

In most cases, allergies begin to appear in childhood, but adults can also experience unpleasant symptoms out of the blue. If the disease does not go away by adolescence, it is likely to remain for life.

How to treat allergies in a child?

Medicines

You need to know how to treat strawberry allergies in children. Self-medication in this case is very risky, since children's immunity is extremely sensitive to various components and the body's reaction can be unpredictable.

If an allergic reaction occurs, the following are prescribed:

• Antihistamines - remove swelling, inflammation and itching of the skin within 20-30 minutes. These include: Suprastin, Telfast, Diazolin or Zyrtec. For symptoms of the disease in younger children, the doctor will prescribe Fenistil drops for oral use.
• Enterosorbents are used to cleanse the body of toxic components: Sorbex, Smecta, Polysorb, activated carbon.
• Anthelmintic medications – used for helminth infections. For children under 3 years of age, Piperazine tablets are prescribed, upon reaching 3 years of age - Levamisole.

Features and methods of treatment

It’s quite easy to cope with the problem; the main thing is to explain to the baby that eating strawberries can be dangerous for his life. After all, you are not always nearby, the baby goes to visit grandparents and other relatives. If you discover an allergy to red berries in a child, notify your relatives, kindergarten teachers, and school teachers. Often this ingredient is present in various products. Carefully read the composition of the finished product yourself to avoid a negative reaction.

To eliminate the first signs of strawberry allergy in children, immediately limit the child’s access to the berry and resort to medication and folk therapy. An important role is played by the natural cleansing of the body of toxins through diuretics. A hypoallergenic diet plays an important role; it is followed for two weeks after an allergy attack.

Drug therapy

Medicines quickly cope with unpleasant symptoms and prevent anaphylactic shock. The following medications are used to treat strawberry allergies in children. Before you start taking medications, be sure to consult your doctor:

• antihistamines. They cope with food intolerance, eliminate symptoms that have already appeared: itching, swelling, sneezing, increased tearing, etc. This group includes: Erius, Tavegil, Suprastin. Before giving your baby a pill, be sure to read the instructions, do not exceed the dosage in order to avoid increasing the negative reaction;
• enterosorbents. The medications are aimed at removing toxins from the child’s body, which speeds up the healing process and causes less damage to the child’s health. Activated carbon, Smecta, Polysorb, Filtrum are used to treat children;
• in case of anaphylactic shock, help is provided by doctors: the child is given intramuscular Prednisol and other medications in order to save the baby’s life.

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Special diet

Recommended food for strawberry allergies:

• includes only natural cereals, lean meat, broths, low-fat fermented milk products, decoctions and medicinal herbs (chamomile, calendula);
• It is strictly forbidden to give your baby processed foods, foods rich in food colorings, and additives. Sweets are not allowed;
• The baby is not allowed to eat brightly colored vegetables and fruits; he is allowed to eat a little homemade applesauce.

A hypoallergenic diet helps remove toxins from the child’s body, quickly copes with unpleasant symptoms, and makes life easier for the baby. Proper nutrition normalizes the baby’s condition and prevents the recurrence of an allergic reaction. It is important to strictly adhere to the regime, give the child plenty of fluids, and make sure that the baby does not break the rules for at least the first two weeks.

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Folk remedies and recipes

Proven folk methods:

• decoction of string. The plant contains special substances that suppress the development of allergies not only to strawberries. The product must be drunk (replacing regular tea) for at least six months; it is also used for preventive purposes. For a liter of boiling water, take a heaped tablespoon of dry raw materials, bring to a boil, let it brew for two hours, strain, use as intended;
• honeycomb. Allowed for use only in the absence of individual intolerance. Children are allowed to chew a small amount of honeycomb for one week, periodically repeat the course of treatment (once every three months);
• use duckweed. In the summer, prepare a potion, throw the dried herb into salads and side dishes all year round;
• chamomile tea. The product copes with unpleasant symptoms and has a diuretic effect, which helps remove toxins from the child’s body. The preparation recipe is similar to the decoction from the string.

FAQ

If a child is allergic to strawberries, should they not be eaten at all?

It is recommended to offer strawberries to a child only after reaching the age of 3, but even in this case, caution should be exercised. You can give 0.5-1 berries per day. It is advisable to grind the product with a blender before doing this.

If children have allergies, they should consume 2-3 strawberries per day, after consulting with their doctor in advance. Signs of the disease can be determined within 24 hours; you should not make several food tests during this time. If there are no negative manifestations, the number of berries can be gradually increased. If allergic symptoms occur, it is better to avoid strawberries completely.

What does a strawberry allergy look like in children?

When allergy symptoms appear, the skin of babies becomes covered with red spots, children begin to itch, sneeze or cough. The mucous membrane of the eye turns red and tear production increases. The nasopharynx, tongue and larynx swell.

In severe cases of the disease, convulsions and difficulty breathing are possible. In this case, you need to call an ambulance.

Most often, an allergy to strawberries manifests itself in the form of skin rashes.

What should I give my child for a strawberry allergy?

First of all, you should relieve allergy symptoms with antihistamines. Children under one year of age are prescribed Cetrin and Zyrtec drops for oral administration, and Allergozan, Psilo-balm, Fenistil gel as external agents. From 2 to 6 years - Suprastin or Claritin tablets.

For the treatment of adolescents from 12 years of age, antiallergic drugs such as Telfast, Erius, Fexadin are prescribed. The drug Visin is used for instillation into the eyes. Also, depending on the symptoms, the doctor may recommend sorbents, bronchodilators, steroid medications, as well as creams and ointments for external use.

If the problem occurs in adults

The symptoms of strawberry allergy in children vary depending on the individual characteristics of the person. But most often it manifests itself as skin lesions within 2 hours after consumption. This is expressed in a rash localized in different places with an erythematous property, and in some cases it is accompanied by swelling of the soft tissues.

This reaction of the body can also be caused when using the berry as a cosmetic mask, as it has high anti-aging and nutritional properties. In this case, an allergy to the product with strawberries becomes quickly noticeable on the face.

With increased sensitivity to the allergen, it manifests itself in digestive dysfunction. In this case, a person experiences swelling, burning and itching of the oral mucosa, and subsequently this may be accompanied by nausea, abdominal pain, vomiting and diarrhea. Moreover, these symptoms may appear at the time of use or after.

The immune response can also affect the visual organs and respiratory system with the following symptoms:

• runny nose with copious watery discharge;
• burning and redness of the eyes;
• profuse lacrimation;
• sneezing;
• itching

Photos of signs of strawberry allergy in adults:

In the case of a severe reaction, the symptoms are supplemented by the following signs:

• a sharp decrease in blood pressure;
• increased body temperature;
• general weakness of the body;
• swelling of the face;
• suffocation.

The appearance of these symptoms signals the development of Quincke's edema and anaphylactic shock, which requires immediate assistance from a qualified specialist.

Useful tips

To prevent allergies in a child, a number of certain requirements must be observed:

1. Do not consume allergenic foods, including strawberries, during pregnancy and breastfeeding.
2. Do not give strawberries to a child under 1 year of age; in some cases, it is better to delay the introduction of the product until 3 years of age.
3. Make sure your baby is eating properly. Your doctor may recommend a diet that eliminates all foods that may cause cross-reactivity or aggravate a hypersensitive reaction.
4. Do not overfeed your child with strawberries. The optimal amount is up to 100 g. strawberries a day. What to do if a child has a worsened allergy to strawberries is written above: urgently take an antihistamine.

Strawberries are one of the most potent allergens, and attentive parents should keep this in mind when offering the berry to their child for the first time. If negative symptoms occur, strawberries should be eliminated from the diet. In addition, you need to monitor the amount of product consumed: you can give your child no more than 100 grams per day. berries, so as not to provoke an exacerbation of the disease. If increased sensitivity to strawberries occurs, antihistamines, sorbents, creams and ointments are prescribed, and the doctor may also recommend following a therapeutic diet.

Tips for prevention

Experts highlight several basic rules that will help avoid the recurrence of allergies and reduce the level of its negative impact on the body.

1. It is not recommended to give fresh berries to children under 2 years of age.
2. They should not be combined with dairy products, as this enhances the immune system's reaction.
3. It is necessary to monitor the child’s consumption of the product, and also to warn kindergarten teachers about the baby’s reaction.
4. As an alternative to fresh berries, you can use jam.
5. It is not recommended to use it in case of digestive upset.
6. The body should be accustomed to the product gradually, initially consuming no more than 2-3 berries per day.
7. You should not buy early strawberries, as there is a high probability that they were grown using chemicals to speed up ripening.

Allergies are a serious danger that must be dealt with correctly.