Allergy to chamomile in infants and adults: symptoms, treatment

Despite the fact that chamomile has an anti-inflammatory effect, and decoctions from it are often used to treat various allergic manifestations, sometimes it can be an allergen itself.

Most often, an allergy to chamomile is observed in a child, especially in the first months after his birth, when parents add chamomile infusion to the bathing baths for disinfection. This type of allergy is not the most common and quite often allergic symptoms occur in an erased form, therefore, a thorough diagnosis is required.

Clinical picture

As a rule, the disease occurs as a result of malfunctioning of the immune system, when it accepts a substance as foreign and rejects it as a potentially dangerous component. The main allergen is chamomile pollen. It is enough to drink tea with the addition of chamomile or inhale its aroma for the development of an acute allergic reaction, which can develop with lightning speed.

Allergy to chamomile is a seasonal disease, but with a weakened immune system and increased sensitivity of the body, negative symptoms can be observed at any time of the year. Allergens can be chamomile tea, cosmetics, household chemicals with the addition of chamomile, etc. To reveal the allergen is not so simple in the total mass of products, with the addition of chamomile, therefore it is necessary to carry out a number of laboratory tests and surveys.

Symptoms of the disease

The characteristic symptoms of an allergic reaction are manifested as follows:

• hyperemia of the skin;
• the appearance of a small-point rash that itches a lot;
• profuse discharge from the nasal passages;
• redness and itching of the eyelids;
• frequent sneezing and excruciating cough;
• increased lacrimation.

These symptoms occur with all allergic diseases, but depending on how the body reacts, clinical symptoms can be complicated by asthmatic manifestations, anaphylaxis and Quincke's edema.

The most severe is anaphylaxis. Its development can be lightning fast and in this case it is important to provide timely highly qualified medical care. The growing symptoms are almost impossible to neutralize on their own, and the state of anaphylaxis endangers the patient's life.

Manifestation of allergies in children

An allergic reaction to chamomile in childhood deserves special attention. On the one hand, chamomile tea has a beneficial effect on the child's nervous system. Pharmacy chamomile has a positive effect on the baby's gastrointestinal tract. Noting a lot of advantages, it should be noted that pharmacy chamomile is capable of provoking severe allergies in children. Major allergic symptoms do not differ from adult symptoms.

Chamomile is used for bathing babies with skin rashes, since the baby's skin is susceptible to any external manifestations. Chamomile soothes and normalizes the sleep of children, but before using broth for bathing or tea with chamomile for relief colic in infants, it is necessary to consult a pediatrician, and use should be started with small trial doses. For example, tea or a decoction can be given in a teaspoon and the child's further reaction can be observed. If he behaves adequately and there is no redness and rash, chamomile can be safely used.

Drug treatment of allergic manifestations

As a rule, any allergic reaction in an adult patient and a child is neutralized using the standard scheme:

• first of all, contact with the allergen should be excluded. In this case, it is necessary to abandon all substances with chamomile (tea, cosmetics, infusion, hygiene items, etc.);
• it is impossible to completely cure allergies, but it is quite possible to reduce its negative manifestations. For this, antihistamines are prescribed (Claritin, Loratadin, Suprastin, Eden, etc.), which relieve swelling and neutralize the inflammatory process in the body. It is important to remember that first generation antihistamines (Diphenhydramine, Tavegil, etc.) can cause side effects, among which the most unpleasant are drowsiness and lethargy. This must be taken into account when prescribing drugs;

• in case of respiratory failure, bronchodilators are prescribed (Berodual, Euphyllin, etc.). They relieve bronchospasm, improving respiratory activity;
• with a complicated form of allergy, glucocorticosteroids are often taken (Prednisolone, Hydrocortisone, etc.). These drugs are not intended for long-term therapy, since after their use, hormonal imbalance and other severe symptoms are possible;
• with the development of anaphylaxis, the use of Epinephrine is recommended. This drug is administered only by injection and requires increased attention to the patient's response.

It is important to note that in order to obtain a long-term remission, it is necessary to stop contact with allergen (tea, cosmetics, detergents, broth, etc.) and be sure to consult with your doctor a doctor. Otherwise, there remains the possibility that negative symptoms will increase, causing severe complications that can turn into a chronic process.

As negative consequences, the development of eczema, hormonal disorders, and sudden surges in blood pressure is possible. In addition, with prolonged contact with chamomile pollen, an asthmatic attack may occur, accompanied by severe chronic complications.

The use of any medication should be carried out only under the supervision of a specialist, especially if an allergy occurs in a child. In this case, drug therapy should be as gentle as possible. Only an allergist is able to identify the true cause of the development of the disease and eliminate it, based on the research carried out.