Uh oh. You see an unusual mystery rash on your little one’s body that you didn’t notice yesterday. While it may be something as simple as a patch of dry skin, it could be something more. Our pediatricians at The Baton Rouge Clinic and Affinity Health Group in Monroe are used to seeing all kinds of skin conditions in children, but when something pops up on your child, we understand your concerns and want to give you some practical advice on what to do next.
First, it’s important to address the most common skin conditions in children. Some of these conditions are non-contagious (like eczema) and some are contagious (like chickenpox). Here is a list of skin conditions you should be on the lookout for in your child and how to treat (or prevent) each condition:
Common Non-Contagious Skin Conditions:
- Eczema (Atopic Dermatitis) – This is a chronic condition that causes red, itchy, dry, cracked skin. In infants, it often appears on the face, cheeks, forehead, and scalp. In older kids, it typically shows up in the creases of the elbows and behind the knees, on the neck, or on the inner wrists and ankles. There is no cure for eczema, but treatments to ease symptoms are available. Manage flare-ups with topical corticosteroids or calcineurin inhibitors, and prevent them by moisturizing regularly.
- Contact Dermatitis – Contact Dermatitis occurs when the skin touches a substance, either by direct irritation (like soap) or an allergic reaction (like poison ivy or nickel). You can prevent or treat contact dermatitis by identifying and strictly avoiding the substance (irritant or allergen) that caused the reaction and calming the skin with steroid creams or oral medications for severe cases.
- Hives (Urticaria) – Hives is a common skin reaction that causes itchy, raised, red or skin-colored welts (or wheals) that can appear anywhere on the body. They can move around and usually fade within 24 hours. Treat them by taking antihistamines to block histamine and relieve itching. By identifying the trigger, often from certain foods, medications, or temperature changes, you can avoid contact with it to prevent hives altogether.
- Seasonal Dryness – Even children with no skin conditions can suffer from typical seasonal dry skin. This occurs due to the weather changes and can cause itchy, flaky, dry, and even cracked skin. To combat seasonal dryness in kids, apply a thick moisturizer right after a short, lukewarm bath and use a humidifier indoors.
- Acne – Although we think of acne as a teenage condition, it can occur in younger children as well. Generally, in infants, acne is caused by maternal hormones stimulating the oil glands to produce small, inflamed bumps or pimples, typically appearing on the face or upper body within the first few weeks of life, and will go away on its own. In older children, it is caused by hormones and appears as clogged pores, pimples, whiteheads, or blackheads on the face and upper body. Childhood acne is primarily treated with gentle washing and over-the-counter products containing ingredients like benzoyl peroxide.
Common Contagious Skin Conditions:
- Warts – The viral infection HPV (human papillomavirus) is the cause of warts. They are small, rough, contagious bumps on the skin, most commonly affecting the hands and feet. You can treat warts with OTC acid or in-office removal and prevent them by avoiding direct contact and walking barefoot in public areas.
- Molluscum Contagiosum – These are clusters of small, firm, flesh-colored or pink bumps with a small dent in the center. It is caused by a poxvirus and spreads by direct contact. This infection will usually go away on its own, and treatments include topical creams or removal. You can prevent the spread between people by making sure not to share towels or other articles of clothing while presenting symptoms.
- Impetigo – This is a highly contagious bacterial infection that forms red sores or blisters, often around the nose and mouth, which can burst open and leave a honey-colored crust. If your child gets this infection, it can be treated with antibiotics. It’s important to prevent the spread of the virus by keeping cuts clean and avoiding scratching the sores.
- Ringworm (Tinea) – Despite the name, ringworm is caused by a fungus. On the body, it presents as a characteristic ring-shaped rash with a raised, scaly border and a clearer center. On the scalp, it can cause scaly patches and hair loss. Treatment includes applying a topical antifungal cream or taking an antifungal medicine orally. You can prevent the spread of ringworm by keeping skin dry and washing clothes and bedding in hot water. It’s also wise to treat infected pets, who are a common source of the fungus.
- Hand, Foot, and Mouth Disease – This is a common infection, especially in young children, that causes mouth ulcers and a rash of spots or blisters on the palms of the hands and soles of the feet. While it primarily appears around the hands, feet, and mouth, many children with the infection display rashes near the buttocks, vagina, and penis as well. The virus will eventually go away on its own as the immune system fights it off, but you can treat the symptoms with pain relievers for mouth blisters and fevers. You can prevent the spread by frequent handwashing and disinfecting surfaces often.
- Chickenpox – This is a highly contagious viral illness that causes an itchy rash of red spots that turn into fluid-filled blisters, which eventually crust over to form scabs. Apply calamine lotion and cooling gels for itchy rashes, and take pain relievers for the fever. Vaccination is the best form of prevention and will make the virus milder if contracted.
When To Call the Doctor
Although there are many skin conditions that will clear up over time on their own, some require professional attention from a doctor. Here are instances that require a visit with your child’s pediatrician:
- When infection is present: If you are seeing oozing, pus, yellow or honey-colored crusting (like dried syrup), or if the area is spreading with red streaks and feels unusually hot to the touch, it’s time to seek care immediately.
- If your child is sick: If the rash comes with symptoms that make your child feel generally unwell, such as a high fever, extreme crankiness, unusual sleepiness, or if they just seem sick overall, call the doctor. These signs together could mean something more serious.
- When it’s just not getting better: If you’ve been using simple, over-the-counter creams for a few days and the rash is getting worse or simply won’t go away, it’s time for a professional diagnosis. Chronic rashes that keep coming back and disrupting your child’s sleep also warrant attention from their pediatrician.