Some parents are of the opinion that red cheeks in a child are a sign of health. Of course, a little blush should be present, but without peeling, condensation and other manifestations that indicate violations that occur in the children's body.
For what reasons does a red spot appear on the cheek of a child and how to get rid of it?
Sign of allergy
Today, people are surrounded by many harmful substances that are found in food, air, household chemicals and more. The fragile body of children reacts violently to allergens. Therefore, often a red spot on the cheek of a child is a sign of such manifestations. Allergies can occur in children at any age, but babies are especially prone to it.
Exudative-catarrhal diathesis
In this allergic disease, the child has a red, rough spot on his cheek that is dry and flaky. Then a thin crust appears on it, itching occurs.
Mostly redness of the cheeks is accompanied by diaper rash in the buttocks and perineum. Sometimes a milk crust appears on the baby’s head. The most susceptible to exudative-catarrhal diathesis are children aged 1.5−2 months. If the required treatment is not provided, the disease becomes atopic dermatitis.
Food allergy
The main symptoms are itching and swelling of the eyelids, skin, and larynx. A red spot on the cheek in a child often occurs simultaneously with disorders of the digestive system. The causes of this allergy are food. Often these are honey, citrus fruits, seafood, chocolate, nuts, cocoa and others.
If the disease manifests itself in a child in infancy, it is likely that its development was caused by an improper nutrition of the mother.
Drug allergy
When drug therapy is carried out, the effect of their chemical components on the children's body often causes immune responses. Often, allergies occur to synthetic vitamins, antibacterial agents. Reactions are observed on the components of the vaccine, which is not uncommon today. The greatest danger is DTP, vaccinations against measles, influenza viruses. Depending on the degree and type of lesion, clinical manifestations are different. A large red spot may appear on the cheek of the child or a rash throughout the body.
Atopic dermatitis
The disease is allergic in nature and manifests itself mainly in children in the first year of life, persisting for several years. The first sign is that a child has a red spot on its cheek that flakes and itches. Often the symptoms of a cold are manifested, which are mainly expressed by a runny nose.
Atopic dermatitis almost always disappears as you grow older.
Contact dermatitis
The disease is an allergic skin reaction at the site of exposure to the stimulus. The defeat occurs as a result of contact with glue, ointment, clothing and other drugs and objects containing harmful substances. In this case, a red hard spot on the cheek of a child may appear from creams and other cosmetics.
Cold or heat allergies
This type of skin lesion is observed when exposed to sudden changes in temperature. As a rule, parents pay attention that a red spot appeared on the cheek of the child after a walk.
Rather, it is not even an allergy, but a reaction to frost or heat.
Allergic treatment
What to do if one of the above diseases causes the appearance of a red spot on the cheek of a child? First of all, you need to visit a pediatrician. Only a specialist will be able to establish a diagnosis and prescribe appropriate treatment. First of all, the irritant should be eliminated, otherwise the therapy will be meaningless. If a food allergy occurs, it is recommended to reconsider the child’s diet. When it comes to babies, a nursing mother should change her diet. For treatment, antiallergic drugs are prescribed for external and internal use. In some cases, hormonal ointments are prescribed.
Cold and heat allergies do not require treatment, it goes away on its own. It is enough to lubricate the child's cheeks with a protective cream before a walk.
Congenital Enzymatic Failure
Red cheeks are not always a symptom of an allergy. In children in the first year of life, enzymatic deficiency often occurs, manifested by the same symptom. Parents should be wary when the child feels well, but he lacks weight.
Sometimes, when a baby eats more than his body can digest, a reaction appears that is similar in appearance to allergic manifestations. The reason is the immature enzymatic system of the child.
How to treat
If the redness on the cheeks appeared as a result of a lack of enzymes for food processing, doctors recommend injecting them in the form of medications. However, it is worth worrying about this type of therapy, since it can do harm. In other words, the feedback principle is triggered: the production of their own enzymes decreases as analogues arrive. What to do in this situation? Parents should be patient and wait for the baby to grow up. Usually over time, enzymatic deficiency disappears on its own. But this does not mean that nothing needs to be done. First of all, it is recommended to monitor the diet of crumbs, not to overload his body with food.
Virus or infection
A red hot spot on the cheek of a child sometimes appears simultaneously with SARS or the flu. Exposure to a virus or infection may also manifest similar symptoms.
The cause of redness of the cheeks is often a baby roseola. The disease can be recognized by other previous signs: the temperature rises, diarrhea with mucous contents appears. Baby roseola is manifested by a small rash, which is spread not only on the cheeks, but throughout the body.
Another disease that is accompanied by reddening of the cheeks is systemic lupus erythematosus. First, the rash appears on the tip of the nose, and then gradually spreads throughout the body. However, there are other symptoms: fever, malfunctioning of the spleen, liver, heart.
Infectious and viral disease therapy
Typically, these diseases are easy to recognize. They are often accompanied by fever and other symptoms. At the first signs, you need to show the child to the doctor who will prescribe the required treatment. The point in this case is not about fighting the stain itself, but about eliminating the reason that led to its appearance. Antiviral and anti-infection drugs will be effective.
Other reasons
In fact, the causes of spots on the cheeks of children are many. Perhaps the baby is just hot, or the milk mixture is not suitable. Often in childhood, acetonomic syndrome occurs, which also manifests itself as such a symptom. In this case, a characteristic smell is felt from the child's mouth, nausea and vomiting occur. If such a condition is observed, the baby needs immediate medical attention.
A red spot on the cheek in a child may be a consequence of a malfunction of the liver, viral hepatitis, allergies and other diseases. No need to guess, it is worth showing the baby to a specialist, as improper treatment or its absence will only aggravate the condition. Some parents try to cope on their own, use traditional medicine, sometimes they themselves do not understand what illness they are trying to rid the child of. This is fundamentally wrong. The diagnosis, as well as the method of therapy, is right to establish only the attending physician.