5 Childhood Rashes Demystified
As parents we are always careful to keep an eye out for worrisome symptoms and health issues when it comes to our children’s safety. However, what happens when suspicious rashes on children appear? Childhood and kids rashes come in a wide assortment, some fairly harmless while other may signal major medical concerns. In New Paltz and Highland, deciphering these confusing rashes on children can be daunting. Rashes signal allergies, illness, or infections. Keep these 5 common childhood rashes in mind; chances are they could help demystify your child’s skin condition.
1.) Ringworm
This common parasite isn’t actually a worm. Rather, this rash is an obvious symptom of a fungal infection that survives off of dead skin, hair, and nail cells and tissue. It’s fairly contagious and easily passed by skin-skin contact. This fungal infection is especially common during warm summer months when beach towels and sports equipment are most used and shared among children. Symptoms include red, bumpy skin with blisters with a scaly appearance. As ringworm progresses, the skin irritations develop into itchy, irritated ring-like patterns. This condition is not serious but prompt treatment ensures it does not continue to spread. There are many non-prescription creams such as Clotrimazole that may help alleviate the infection. However, never use any type of medication without the advice and approval of a trusted doctor.
2.) Chicken Pox
Although vaccinations have greatly reduced the number cases, chickenpox is still a possibility when your child develops itchy rashes and red blistering. These irritated blisters progress and eventually burst, crusting over. This illness is considered serious and medical treatment is vital to ensure no complications develop such as Staph infections or ear infections. Monitor your child’s symptoms, especially fevers and respiratory difficulties. Serious cases of chickenpox require hospitalization.
3.) Impetigo
This common skin infection is contagious and passed through shared toys and blankets. Bacteria on the skin develops into angry red blisters and sores that painfully rupture and crust over with pus. Scratching spreads these sores to other parts of the body, leading to more pain and irritation. These sores are most common around the mouth and nose. Medical treatment and antibiotic creams and medication are needed to clear up this common childhood skin infection. Regularly disinfecting your child’s toys and room is helpful to prevent the spread and contagion risks.
4.) Heat Rash
Warm summer months and playing hard leads to happy, but sweaty children. Sweat in and of itself is perfectly normal, but when the sweat ducts in your child’s skin become blocked, tiny, red, blister-like pimples begin to develop over the body. This rash is also common when babies or young children are dressed in too many warm layers. Although not serious, this rash is irritating and painful. This rash is alleviated with wearing looser, cooler layers and gently cleaning the irritated area. It clears up fairly quickly on its own.
5.) Contact Dermatitis
This rash is perhaps the most frustrating and confusing childhood malady. It’s individual causes can be difficult to determine. This rash includes localized swelling, red, dry scaling, itching, and even large blisters. It results from skin irritation to various skin products such as lotions, soaps, shampoos, or contact with plants such as poison oak or poison ivy. If you find yourself unable to determine what your child is allergic to, consider having an allergy test performed to isolate the allergens. Although the symptoms are painful, most cases of contact dermatitis are not serious unless worrisome respiratory symptoms or fevers develop. Anti-inflammatory creams such as hydro-cortisone cream. This cream comes in a variety of dosages. Consult a pharmacist or your doctor for dosage recommendations.
Childhood rashes are never pleasant; fortunately, most varieties are not serious and are easily treatable. When you notice the development of a rash, always note the first appearance and the progression. Keeping track of the symptoms makes diagnosis much easier. If in doubt, always consult FirstCare Medical Center or your child’s pediatrician.