Diathesis – General Information
● Diathesis is a condition characterized by unusual reactions of the mucous membranes of the respiratory tract, skin, digestive organs, and urinary system to various external stimuli, most often to food products. There is a hereditary (genetic) predisposition to diathesis in various forms. Diathesis is most common in children aged 2 to 3 years.
Diathesis – Symptoms
● The earliest signs of diathesis are milk crust and seborrhea, which appear in the first 2-3 months of a child’s life. Excessive secretion is released from the sebaceous glands on the head, especially in the area of the fontanel and above the eyebrows, causing yellow crusts that reappear after removal.
● Slightly later, milk crust appears on the cheeks, which is a limited redness of the skin with slight thickening of the epidermal layer and the formation of scales, which are replaced by weeping or dry eczema with unbearable itching. At the same time, children with diathesis develop diaper rash behind the ears, in the groin and neck folds, and in the armpits.
● At the age of 5-6 months, children develop prurigo (strofulus) – itchy reddish nodules located on the extensor surfaces of the limbs. Children suffering from diathesis sleep poorly, are restless, and are characterized by increased irritability and excitability. They have an unbalanced metabolism, especially water-salt metabolism: sick children are pasty, “puffy,” with excessive body weight, which they can quickly lose when a concomitant illness occurs.
Diathesis Treatment with Folk Remedies
● Take half a glass of common oregano decoction twice a day half an hour before meals. Method of preparation: heat one tablespoon of raw material in a glass of boiling water in a water bath for 40-45 minutes, let it infuse for half an hour, and strain.
● Take half a glass of herbal infusion twice a day. Preparation order: take one part each of the roots of marshmallow and valerian, the herbs of celandine, St. John’s wort, and three parts of the herb series. Brew and let one tablespoon of the mixture infuse in a glass of boiling water for 2.5-3 hours.
● Drink half a glass of medicinal herb infusion three times a day half an hour before meals. Preparation: mix two parts by weight of calamus root, lingonberry leaves, calendula flowers; one part each of high elecampane root, field horsetail herb, chamomile flowers, and nettle leaves. Pour 300 ml of boiling water over two tablespoons, let it infuse for 3.5 hours, and strain.
● Drink one-third of a glass of the infusion three times a day before meals or use this remedy externally as compresses in case of skin rashes. Preparation method: simmer one tablespoon of crushed common hop cones in a water bath for 20-25 minutes in a glass of boiling water, let it infuse for 3.5 hours, and strain through two layers of gauze.
● Medicinal mixture: one part each of sandy immortelle flowers, rhubarb root, and high leuzea; two parts of common blueberry leaves and three parts of yarrow herb. Infuse one tablespoon of the mixture until completely cooled in a glass of boiling water and strain. Take half a glass twice a day one hour after meals.
● Take one part each of common oregano herb and celandine, two parts of licorice root, and three parts of series herb. Infuse one tablespoon of the mixture in a glass of boiling water for 3 hours and strain. Take half a glass of the infusion one hour after meals twice a day.
● Mix equal parts of tricolor violet herb and celandine. Brew two tablespoons of the mixture in a glass of boiling water and let it infuse for 60 minutes, strain. Take a quarter of a glass of the infusion four times a day one hour before meals.
