What you can’t eat with Mantoux: list of prohibited foods, can you eat sweets

When performing the Mantoux test, parents are warned not to get the injection site wet. Other restrictions are rarely mentioned. In fact, it’s not just moisture that affects the result. The food at Mantoux deserves attention.

You need to study the list of permitted and prohibited products. Proper organization of the diet will help the child tolerate the procedure easier.

The influence of nutrition on the result

When a sample is taken, the drug Tuberculin is injected into the body, which gives a positive result in the presence of tuberculosis pathogens in the body and under the influence of other factors, including:

Histamine. The synthesis of the substance begins under the influence of allergens.
Protein markers. The occurrence is observed as a result of inflammatory and infectious processes.

After Mantoux vaccination, an allergic reaction is extremely undesirable. Its occurrence is reflected in the test result.

To avoid a false positive reaction, foods that provoke allergies are excluded from the diet. Even if the child is not allergic, certain dishes on the menu lead to an increased immune response.

The result also affects digestive problems. It is not recommended to eat heavy foods that burden the stomach.

What not to eat if you have Mantoux for tuberculosis. Mantoux test: what is not allowed and what is possible?

Mantoux vaccination: what is not allowed for children and what is allowed?
The tuberculin test, otherwise called the Mantoux reaction, examines the body's reaction to the waste products of Mycobacterium tuberculosis.

This diagnostic test provides early detection of pathological processes occurring in the body.

Its implementation is a mandatory condition when a child enters school or kindergarten.

The procedure is simple - the drug is administered subcutaneously by injection.

After three days, the presence and size of the so-called papule is checked - a collection of leukocytes that attack the tuberculin contained in the solution.

The Mantoux reaction is mistakenly called grafting, but this is absolutely not true.

The tuberculin test is a diagnostic test that does not have a long-term effect on the body.

The success of the test and the reliability of its results is directly dependent on how correctly it is carried out.

The body's immune response must proceed correctly and independently.

There are a number of rules and prohibitions when carrying out, which we will discuss in today’s article.

How to behave before and during the Mantoux procedure?

On the day of the procedure, a primary examination and interview of the patient or his parents is performed.

It is important to determine a reliable history for the presence of chronic diseases, recent respiratory infections, whether the child is currently sick, or whether he has any allergies.

The fact is that a common runny nose is a contraindication to the test, as it will distort its results.

During the examination, the doctor will definitely check the body temperature, which should be normal (36.6 degrees Celsius), in order to exclude deception on the part of the parents.

Yes, parents often try to save their own time so as not to run around for medical records and other papers, which is extremely harmful to their child.

At this stage, the main task of parents is to provide reliable and complete data about the child’s condition, his recent behavior, past and existing diseases.

The doctor is operating with an extremely sharp object, so it is important that the child does not make sudden movements during the procedure.

During the procedure itself, you should behave calmly.

If you are guiding a child, you should explain that he should not make sudden movements, that “the injection will not be strong,” and support him in every possible way. There is no need to rush to leave the clinic.

Let the child calm down. Slight dizziness, weakness, and sweating may occur.

Such symptoms occur with any injection and do not relate specifically to the procedure performed.

If the child’s reaction is inadequate, you can immediately return to the doctor’s office.

What should you not do after Mantoux?

All prohibitions imposed after the procedure are aimed at ensuring the reliability of the test results.

Let us briefly list the main ones and reveal their essence:

It is forbidden to steam the injection site;
rub with clothes, bandage, washcloth;
bandage the papule, seal it with adhesive tape.

Mantu cannot be wetted - a famous misconception that spreads through the minds of parents.

It is believed that this can protect the wound from the penetration of pathogenic bacteria.

Here you don’t need to be a qualified physician to understand that if the injection solution does not flow out, then water from the outside will not get inside, under the skin.

But what you really shouldn’t do is steam the injection site. It is forbidden to take a hot shower and bath, or go to the bathhouse or sauna.

Steamed skin is vulnerable to mechanical damage, which is unacceptable in the case of a papule from the Mantoux reaction.

In addition, the skin will “tighten”, including at the injection site, which is unacceptable, since the size of the papule may increase significantly and the reaction will be considered a false positive, which will not be so obvious to the attending physician who will examine it, which will lead to your diagnosis for tuberculosis registration.

You should not rely on which, of course, they will appoint.

It may be negative, but you will still be registered, especially if the patient is a child.

Needless to say, such a small mistake will result in you spending a couple of months trying to prove that you are not sick.

Take these recommendations seriously! Accidental damage to a papule promises registration and long hardships in a tuberculosis clinic!

From the above, the second rule of conduct after the procedure follows.

Under no circumstances should the papule be damaged!

Most often this happens at home, when you dry your hands with a towel or wear clothes with sleeves.

Is it possible to eat before the procedure?

The child is not prohibited from eating before the test. He can eat a hearty meal before going to the clinic.

Attention should be paid to the products on the menu and avoid overeating.

Any dish eaten in large quantities can lead to the development of an allergic reaction. The Mantoux reaction often turns out to be false.

Why is a special diet necessary before and after Mantoux?

The local doctor, consulting parents before the study, will say that it is necessary to remove crumbs from the diet not only after the procedure, but also before it. There are two main reasons for this. First, some products may affect the objectivity of the result, and the injection will have to be done again. The most unpleasant thing is that there is a risk that the child will be registered at a tuberculosis clinic, which will cause problems when entering kindergarten or school. The second reason is that a disrupted diet before the test negatively affects the patient’s well-being and can lead to an allergic reaction. To prepare for Mantoux, you need to know what you can’t eat at the preparatory stage and while waiting for the test.

Dietary restrictions before the test

To avoid obtaining a distorted test result, parents are advised to review the baby’s diet. Children are not given new foods for a week before the scheduled procedure.

Also exclude chocolate, citrus fruits, eggs and strawberries, which belong to the group of allergens. On the day of the procedure, a carbohydrate diet is recommended.

Parents know exactly which foods provoke the manifestation of allergy symptoms in their child. Therefore, such food should be excluded from the menu for three days before the procedure. Such actions will help avoid the development of complications.

Should I take suprastin and other antihistamines?

During the Mantoux test, tuberculin, consisting of neutralized mycobacteria, phenol antiseptic, and Tween-80 detergent, which is a cleansing component, is injected under the child’s skin.

These substances can cause an allergic reaction.

Antihistamines before Mantoux can be taken if there is a family history or the body is predisposed to allergies to substances that are part of the tuberculin test.

Allergic manifestations to Mantoux are:

basic;
nonspecific.

The main reaction is characterized by the appearance of a papule at the site of vaccine administration, not exceeding 5 mm in size. A specific reaction is accompanied by the following symptoms:

increased body temperature;
nausea, vomiting;
skin rash;
increase in papule up to 15 mm;
lack of appetite.

To prevent the development of a nonspecific type of allergy to tuberculin, doctors recommend using antihistamines before Mantoux, i.e. 3 days before vaccination. Suprastin before Mantoux and its analogues are not able to affect the test result.

How to give

Antihistamines should be given to a child with allergies according to the following scheme:

first appointment – 3 days before vaccination;
on the day of the test;
every day until you get the result.

Important information: Until what age is Mantu given to children?

Features of nutrition after administration of the drug

During Mantoux, the baby's immunity needs support. Therefore, a nutritious and balanced diet is followed. It is advisable to include vegetable dishes and fruits in the menu, but exclude products that can cause allergies.

The child should eat as usual. Unfamiliar dishes should not appear on the table.

Overeating is unacceptable, no matter how good the baby’s appetite. It is recommended to drink herbal teas that can eliminate the inflammatory process and activate the body's protective functions.

It is worth remembering about individual intolerance to certain fruits, vegetables and sweets. Chips are not recommended during the post-vaccination period. The body under the influence of the drug becomes more sensitive to them and strengthens the immune response.

What is a reaction to manta?

In order to choose a diet, you must first understand what a mantoux test is? It begins with children from birth until the age of 17. Reactions are carried out annually, under the strict supervision of a doctor. But, there are some nuances.

Samples are not taken from sick children;
If a person is in quarantine, then he must first be vaccinated against diphtheria and measles;
Administration should only be carried out by a medical professional.

As already mentioned, after the introduction of mantu, an inflammatory process begins, which significantly affects the body. And since the processes occurring inside everyone are individual, the reaction to food can occur in different ways.

List of prohibited products

The list of what you can’t eat after Mantoux is impressive.

Prohibited products:

milk and dairy products;
seafood, including oysters, crayfish, lobsters and shrimp;
fish;
chicken meat and broth based on it;
nuts, regardless of variety;
chocolate;
Red caviar;
cocoa;
citrus fruits, as well as all exotic fruits (oranges, lemons, tangerines, limes, pineapples, avocados, mangoes, kiwis, passion fruits, etc.);
bananas;
apples (allergenic varieties);
eggs (with the exception of quail);
fatty meats;
mushrooms;
fruit juices;
pickles;
smoked meats;
sugar and everything sweet;
berries and fruits of orange and red color;
conservation;
hot spices;
sauces;
honey;
white bread and pastries;
carbonated drinks;
lemon acid;
products containing preservatives and dyes;
fast food and semi-finished products.

You should avoid pizza, pasties, spicy, exotic dishes characterized by an abundance of spices, pasta, fried and spicy foods. A lot of effort is spent on their assimilation.

How to behave after tuberculin injection

The main questions that arise in a person after tuberculin is injected under his skin are what the papule should be like, whether it is allowed to be wetted, what can be eaten with Mantoux and what cannot be done with Mantoux. Experts have compiled a clear list of how you can behave during the 72 hours after the injection. It is important to pay attention to the following rules of doctors:

After Mantoux vaccination, you should not get it wet. There is currently ongoing debate on this topic, since in most cases water does not lead to any adverse effects. At the same time, some impurities in it can trigger an allergy at the site of skin puncture, which can be confused with a positive test reaction.
After Mantoux, the baby should be limited from scratching the papule or damaging it in any way. This is due to the fact that in such a situation, in most cases, an infection penetrates into the wound. It is not unsafe for the child, but it completely casts doubt on the results of the examination. In addition, pathogenic microorganisms can cause an adverse allergic reaction on the skin.
It is also important to pay attention to the fact that a child should not eat many foods when Mantoux is present. This applies primarily to the most common allergens - sweets, milk, cocoa, chocolate, citrus fruits, etc. They are all ways to cast doubt on Mantoux's results.
You should not treat yourself with certain medications without the approval of doctors if your child has been vaccinated. A combination of drugs or a cross-reaction of the immune system to them sometimes provokes false-positive diagnostic results.

What else should you pay attention to?

An equally important question is how many days you should not eat certain foods after Mantoux. Doctors advise not to use them for 72 hours - it is after this period that a specialist in the hospital should assess what happened to the tuberculin papule.

Important! If, however, some foods were eaten during Mantoux that should not be eaten, you must warn your doctor about this. It is he who needs to draw appropriate conclusions about how such an action affected the child.

Tuberculosis is a disease that is important to recognize in time. That is why it is necessary to strictly follow all the recommendations of doctors regarding how to behave before and after performing the Mantoux test. It is necessary that not only the child’s diet be correct, but also many other aspects of his life.

We recommend reading! Follow the link: Signs and symptoms of tuberculosis in adults, causes of the disease

How many days can you not eat sweets?

Pediatricians have mixed opinions about eating sweets after Mantoux has been placed. Some doctors are of the opinion that it is not worth limiting a child’s intake of sweets.

A ban is needed only if you are allergic to this group . They should be discarded until the results are checked in a medical facility.

Other doctors say that children’s favorite sweets are dangerous in the post-vaccination period. They belong to the group of allergens and can provoke unwanted changes, as well as a false positive reaction. They are excluded from the diet for three days, regardless of whether an allergy is observed or not.

Before testing, parents should consult a doctor . The pediatrician will give recommendations taking into account the individual characteristics of the child’s body in order to select the optimal menu option.

What not to eat when vaccinated with Mantoux. What and how much you can’t eat with Mantoux

List of foods that should be avoided during tuberculin tests:

chocolate;
hot spices;
citrus;
mushrooms;
seafood;
grape;
watermelon;
any fast food;
soda;
fresh juices.

It is not recommended to eat fruits and confectionery products. Citrus fruits and seafood should also be excluded from the diet during the period of tuberculin diagnostics. Foods such as nuts, mushrooms and honey can trigger allergies, so you should avoid them too.

You should not eat heavy foods, especially if they contain food additives (chips, pizza, hamburgers). Carbonated water can also cause complications in gastrointestinal diseases. You should also not use hot spices and sauces when cooking.

Children undergoing Mantoux tests should not eat foods that can cause eating disorders. During this period, you should not eat too cold food, which can cause a cold. All products must be processed to avoid contamination by pathogenic microorganisms that can cause acute infectious intoxication.

It is imperative to monitor the expiration dates of the products you purchase. With the Mantoux reaction, any mycobacteria in the body can cause a positive reaction, so you need to carefully inspect the food for the appearance of mold on it.

Watermelon accumulates toxins and pesticides used to spray melons. Therefore, it can cause poisoning, which will cause the results of the tuberculin test to be canceled. Grapes contain a lot of sugar and can also cause eating disorders.

Is it possible to eat sweets during Mantoux and why not?

After Mantoux vaccination, it is undesirable to eat sweets, because such food can cause diathesis, stomach upset and other manifestations of allergies.

Diagnostic Mantoux tests reveal immunity, which should respond to tuberculosis. The accuracy of diagnosis can be affected by unwanted reactions of the body to chocolate and other sweets. This important test must be performed without the influence of foreign allergens.

When Mantoux is done, you can eat sweets only after assessing the diagnostic results (when the doctor measures the skin manifestations and makes a conclusion). It is better to avoid eating sugar-containing products for 3 days before assessing the reaction.

What else can't be done

Despite the ingrained opinion, it is possible to wet Mantu. The main thing is not to introduce an infection into the injection wound and not to cause skin irritation with hygiene products. You cannot make compresses, smear brilliant green or carry out other manipulations in the area where tuberculin is administered. Scratching and rubbing the injection site is also prohibited.

With proper nutrition and following simple rules for caring for the tuberculin injection site, you can eliminate ambiguous results and prevent additional examinations.

Fruits and berries after Mantoux

Berries and fruits benefit the body, saturate it with vitamins, help strengthen the immune system and give strength, but in the post-vaccination period it is recommended to avoid a number of berries and fruits. Strawberries, blackberries, raspberries, cherries, certain varieties of apples, cranberries and currants are excluded from the menu.

You need to avoid deep orange or red foods. When they are introduced into the diet, the risk of developing an allergic reaction increases.

Video on the topic

Dr. Komarovsky about the Mantoux test:

Thus, the Mantoux test today is the most accessible and effective method for detecting tuberculosis infection and residual immunity after vaccination. It happens that such a test shows a false result. This may be due to poor diet.

The diet should consist of useful and healthy dishes. Sweets are allowed during Mantoux, but in limited quantities. Preference should be given to products that are not allergenic and do not contain harmful substances.

It is important to take into account the presence of chronic pathologies and the child’s tolerance to sugar. Regarding whether it is possible to eat sweets during the Mantoux test, it is better to consult with your local pediatrician.

Why can't you eat chocolate?

Chocolate belongs to the group of allergens. Its use in the post-vaccination period is undesirable.

Excessive consumption of white, milk and dark chocolate can lead to a false positive reaction. When a drug introduced into the body interacts with this product, the risk of allergies increases. The appearance of a rash, swelling and other undesirable changes is possible.

Pediatrician-approved menu

The Mantoux test is performed to determine the reaction to the causative agent of tuberculosis. After administration of the drug, it is necessary to activate protective functions.

The diet deserves special attention. The guideline for parents is the menu compiled in children's institutions (camps, kindergartens and schools). You will have to give up prohibited products.

When organizing meals, the following points are taken into account:

tendency to allergies;
individual intolerance to certain food groups;
personal preferences of the baby, which must certainly be taken into account. No matter how healthy the proposed dish is, the child will not be able to eat it if it is not to his taste.

After the test, they leave the usual menu and monitor the nutritional value of the food. It should contain vitamins and microelements. The child needs to receive food strictly on schedule and not overeat.

It is recommended to include in the diet:

rabbit meat;
vegetable dishes;
light soups that do not burden the stomach;
poultry meat, but not chicken;
fiber-rich cereals;
still water;
casseroles;
dried fruits (dried apricots, dates, prunes) and drinks based on them.

If you are not allergic to dairy products, they are included in your diet. It is allowed to eat fruits and vegetables that do not belong to the group of allergens.

Is it possible to drink milk during Mantoux? What should you not eat during Mantoux?

The biggest problem with the manta response is control. Parents should monitor the child's nutrition, especially if the reaction is positive. In this matter, it is recommended to consult with a nurse or a local doctor. Adults themselves can monitor external manifestations and, if necessary, seek help. What should you not eat while eating mantu?

When consuming certain foods, allergic reactions may occur that did not exist before. So it’s better to temporarily reduce your consumption of fruits and sweets. And with citrus fruits it’s better to wait for now. You should also exclude raw food, nuts, honey water, and fish from your diet. These products do not reduce mantoux readings, but can cause allergies.

An individual diet should be created for the child. Nutritionists recommend replacing chocolate and sweets with dried fruits. Freshly squeezed juices should be diluted with boiled water in proportions (1/2). Heavy foods (meat, mushrooms) are slowly digested and weaken the body. The child is prohibited from consuming “street food” (hot dogs, pizza, chips, hamburgers), and soda in any form. It is better to buy mineral water without gas, or release the gas.

When administering mantu, infants can maintain their usual regimen. Under no circumstances should you add new foods to your diet after vaccination. This may cause an allergic reaction. Also, with mantu, any hot spices are contraindicated; seafood and citric acid are prohibited. When purchasing, always look at the ingredients. Flavors, colors, and additives can be an unpleasant surprise.

Certain people develop intolerance to certain foods over time. You need to keep an eye on this. And at the slightest sign, exclude these foods from your diet. And also consult a doctor immediately.

Non-compliance with the diet: consequences

There is an opinion that nutrition does not affect the size of the “clock” by which the body’s reaction is determined and its increase is noted only during an immune response. In reality, things are somewhat different.

An improperly organized diet is the reason for obtaining a false negative result. The baby will have to undergo the procedure again to get an accurate answer. It is possible to register a child with a TB specialist, but going to the doctor requires time and effort.

Carrying out a Mantoux test rarely leads to consequences, but they are not completely excluded. It is necessary to monitor the condition of the baby during the post-vaccination period. Changes in well-being cannot be ignored.

Complications manifest themselves with symptoms similar to those of a cold:

hyperthermia;
general malaise;
apathy;
drowsiness;
runny nose;
cough;
chills;
swelling of the skin and mucous membranes;
lack of appetite;
hyperemia;
rashes on the skin.

Such clinical manifestations indicate the development of allergies as a result of the administration of the drug and non-compliance with a special diet. The medication contains phenol, which has a toxic effect. Its concentration is insignificant, but sometimes a child becomes allergic to it.

Such symptoms are a reason to contact a pediatrician . The baby’s condition can rapidly deteriorate and you should not hesitate to visit a doctor.

What can you eat after vaccination?

Several days before the Mantoux test and before assessing the result, you should not introduce food unfamiliar to the baby into the diet. It is important that the menu consists of healthy and familiar foods. The diet should be varied, consisting of vitamin and nutritious dishes.

Allowed products during the Mantoux test:

poultry, rabbit meat;
vegetables;
porridge with water (with the exception of wheat);
dried fruits (in small quantities);
light soups;
low-fat dairy products.

Among the drinks, children can be given Mantoux during the test period:

chamomile infusion;
green tea;
water without gas.

Herbal drinks will help support your immune system and reduce inflammation. But you need to take into account that an allergic reaction can also occur to various plants.

All pediatricians strongly recommend following a diet during the Mantoux test. You can return to your normal diet immediately after assessing the test result.

Return to normal diet: timing

There is no need to stick to the diet for a long time. Three days later, when the test result is shown to a medical professional, they return to the child’s usual menu. The risk of developing allergies is reduced to almost zero.

It is not recommended to use new products for food. After administration of the drug, you need to wait two weeks to avoid unwanted changes. Do not overload your stomach.

Overeating affects the child's condition and leads to digestive problems.

It is necessary to monitor the general condition of the baby. The reaction to the drug varies. Any changes should be alarming. The diet is adjusted.

Why you can't scratch

After the injection of tuberculin, severe itching may occur, causing a desire to scratch the skin. Doing this is strictly prohibited.

The first reason is the distortion of the results due to the enlargement of the papule, the site of redness. The second reason is that scratching can introduce infection into the wound, which can cause inflammation at the injection site.

After the test, it is important to carefully monitor the child and try to explain to him that Mantu should not be scratched. If necessary, you can bandage your hand with a bandage, tying it loosely so that there is free space for air circulation between the injection site and the material.

It is not recommended to use any solutions or sprays, even if the papule is very itchy.

If a child scratches the injection site severely, it is recommended to visit a doctor who will examine the patient and, if necessary, prescribe a new procedure.