Common skin rashes in children

Rashes can be a clue of another disease or condition your child may have. Many childhood rashes come from irritation to normal skin and do not indicate an underlying problem. However, some rashes can indicate a more severe condition, so you must be aware of them. It is also very important to start skin treatment as soon as possible. Rashes in children are common and not usually cause for concern. Acute rashes may last up to two weeks; however, chronic rashes can be ongoing or recurring over several months or years. Some of these chronic childhood skin conditions are:
Contact dermatitis
This is the most common type of non-infectious rash in children. It usually appears as dry, red, itchy skin that can blister and peel. The hands are often involved, especially after repetitive contact with an irritating substance like soap or chemicals. This condition does not tend to affect children before six months of age.
Eczema
This skin condition generally affects infants and young children. Allergic contact dermatitis of the skin is the most common form of eczema. This condition’s itchy, scaly, or blistering rashes are localized to sites where substances have contacted the skin, such as the diaper area, neck folds, wrists, ankles, and behind the knees.
Pityriasis alba
This is a chronic skin condition that often affects children. It begins with redness followed by small white patches of dead skin. This condition does not cause any itching, but it can sometimes be unsightly to your child or affect their self-esteem. Other causes of this condition are eczema, irritant contact dermatitis, acne, and tinea infections.
Tinea infections
This type of infection is also known as ringworm. A fungus causes it to spread to other parts of the body or others through physical contact. This common childhood skin infection starts as round, scaly, red skin patches, usually involving the scalp, feet, or groin area.
Tinea versicolor
This condition is caused by yeast found on the skin that can cause patches of lighter or darker pigmented areas to appear on your child’s body. It does not itch and generally occurs during hot summer months when there is sweat on the skin.
Diaper rash This skin irritation affects the areas of skin that are constantly damp and covered by a diaper. It is most common among infants but can also affect older potty-trained children. There is usually redness, chafing, and even small blisters where the skin meets the diaper area.
Molluscum contagiosum
This type of skin condition is caused by a viral infection that produces small growths on the skin. Usually, they show up as flesh-colored or pink growths with a central depression with a bit of dimple in the middle and a small white or waxy core. They are most often found on the face, chest, abdomen, and buttocks.
Impetigo
This is a bacterial condition that usually starts with blisters on the skin. It then produces yellowish crusts and can cause pain and itching. Impetigo is more common in young children, but it’s also seen in teens and adults who have had contact with someone with this skin infection or picked up the bacteria from surfaces such as sports equipment or locker rooms.
Prickly Heat:
This condition is brought on by sweat trapped in the clothing or body folds. Usually, prickly heat can be treated at home by having your child take a cool bath and applying a moisturizer to the affected area that contains petrolatum or an anti-itch product such as calamine lotion. Your doctor may also prescribe steroid creams to relieve itching and treat secondary bacterial infections.
Chickenpox:
This skin disease usually affects children between 5 and 10 years of age; however, older siblings and caregivers can also become infected. It starts with red spots that develop into small blisters, which eventually become crusted scabs before healing completely. If your child shows signs of chickenpox or has been exposed to an infected person or persons, call your doctor.
Scabies:
This skin condition affects the entire body and is caused by a microscopic mite called Sarcoptes scabiei. This parasite can be spread to others through direct contact with your child’s infected skin or with the clothes and bedding used by them if it has not been washed in hot water. Itching from this infection usually begins at night when the bed linens irritate these sensitive skin areas. A new pair of pajamas may help resolve symptoms before they become severe enough to warrant antibiotics for treatment.
Cellulitis
This skin infection causes tenderness, swelling, and fever. Several different types of bacteria can cause cellulitis, including Staphylococcus aureus, streptococci, and Haemophilus influenzae. It is essential to call your doctor if you suspect your child has cellulitis because the condition could worsen quickly without proper treatment.
Urticaria
This skin disorder is also known as hives. These raised areas of skin are caused when an allergen, heat, or cold makes the tiny blood vessels under your child’s skin leak fluid into surrounding tissue, causing inflammation. The best way to prevent urticaria is to keep your child away from things that trigger allergic reactions, such as pets, food allergies, and pollen.
The rash is an inflammation of the skin marked by redness, heat, swelling, and itching; caused by infection, allergies, or irritation; characterized by round red lesions that may be elevated or blistered. The rash affects many kids every day to varying degrees ranging from mild to severe cases.
How can you prevent skin rashes in children?
Prevention is always better than cure! So it’s best not to wait for a rash to appear on your little one before taking action- be proactive in protecting them from common childhood skin rashes by using these tips:

• Keep the temperature of the room comfortable as overheating may lead to prickly heat
• In diaper rash, use a protective barrier such as zinc oxide to protect the sensitive area.
• If your child has atopic dermatitis (eczema), avoid bubble baths because soap and water dry out the skin. Instead, use a fragrance-free moisturizer or ointment after bath time.
• Choose clothes made from cotton and other natural fabrics and avoid scratchy tags and seams that may irritate your child’s skin
• Teach children how to wash their hands properly with lukewarm water and mild soap, including under the nails part for good 15 seconds. Avoid strong soaps or chemicals that can also irritate their skin.
• It is advisable to apply a good sunscreen of 30+ factor when they are going out in the sun to prevent skin conditions such as rashes.
• Keep your child’s nails short and clean as dirt can accumulate under the nails leading to skin infections such as an abscess.
• If you notice any symptoms of skin rashes appearing on your child, call your doctor immediately for proper treatment.
• Oatmeal baths may help relieve the itchy sensation on the skin. The coarse nature of oatmeal helps to exfoliate dead cells and reduce inflammation to provide relief from common childhood rashes in children.
  A healthy lifestyle with the right amount of sleep and rest can prevent children’s most common childhood rashes. Some situations may need your doctor’s intervention, like chickenpox, scabies, etc. Remember that prevention is better than cure! So please do not delay in taking action when it comes to common childhood skin rashes in babies.
  What are the skin treatment options for skin rashes?
  Corticosteroid creams and ointments
  Corticosteroids are anti-inflammatory drugs. They work by reducing skin redness, swelling, and itchiness associated with extra sensitive skin. These should be applied to the affected skin areas only after seeking advice from the doctor.
  Antihistamines
  Antihistamines can help decrease itching in some cases of allergic rashes, such as urticaria (hives). Note: Antihistamines may make your child extra tired, so they should not be used when your child is going for an exam or driving a vehicle!
  Oral medications
  Your doctor may prescribe oral antibiotics to treat bacterial infections causing cellulitis, impetigo, and abscesses.
  Antifungal medications
  If there is a fungal infection, your child’s doctor may prescribe antifungal creams or oral medication to treat the condition.
  Topical retinoids
  These are medicines made from vitamin A and reduce skin redness. They decrease the chances of pores getting clogged with dead skin cells, which can provoke the formation of acne in some cases. Children below 12 years of age should not apply these, so you need your dermatologist’s prescription for this medicine.
  Coal tar preparations
  These ointments can reduce scaling and itching in some cases of scalp psoriasis. Your doctor will advise you on the dosage.
  Phototherapy
  Phototherapy involves exposing small patches of damaged skin to controlled ultraviolet light under medical supervision. This may be required for children with severe atopic dermatitis as a standard treatment option rather than topical medications or steroid creams which can have side effects if used over prolonged periods.
  These are some conventional skin treatment options available to treat different types of rashes in children. Child skin is very delicate and requires extra care during the treatment process. So if you or anyone around your child suspects that they are suffering from any rash, then it’s time to rush to the dermatologist without wasting a minute because delay could lead to severe complications. You can also visit a homeopathy doctor as homeopathic skin treatment is one of the safest and most effective treatments for skin rashes in children. This is to inform you that there are many natural and safe homeopathic remedies available for various types of childhood rashes that help cure the problem permanently without causing any side effects, unlike conventional medicines. You can discuss your child’s condition with a professional homeopathy doctor and get advice on natural treatment options.
  Skin treatments in Homeopathy and its benefits:
  Remember that prevention is better than cure! So please do not delay in taking action when it comes to common childhood skin rashes in babies.
  Remember that even homeopathy can treat your child’s rashes effectively and help you achieve healthy skin for your children.
  -Conventional medicine is not the only solution available to treat your child’s rashes. Homeopathy is a complete medical science that can provide the safest and effective treatment for all types of common childhood rashes in babies.
  -Homeopathic remedies are safe, gentle, non-toxic, and easy to take by both children and adults. In addition, pure homeopathic medicines do not generally produce any side effects, unlike conventional creams or medications.
  -If you suspect that your baby may suffer from any skin rash, immediately visit a homeopathic doctor and discuss the options available in terms of treatment. The doctor will carefully study your baby’s problem and provide you with helpful advice on natural homeopathic remedies or suggest a practical solution based upon your child’s condition.
  -Homeopathy treats the individual rather than the disease by stimulating their healing response to illness through highly diluted amounts of natural substances derived from plants, animals, and minerals. It is safe for pregnant women, infants (including premature infants), children, and adults. Homeopathy has no known side effects, unlike conventional medications or creams!
  -It acts like a powerful catalyst that stimulates the body’s vital force to fight back and recover quickly from all types of common childhood rashes in babies. Homeopathy treats various common childhood rashes in babies naturally and effectively without causing any side effects. It can be used as an adjunct to conventional medications or creams. Consult your homeopathic doctor for complete treatment options on this problem.
  It’s time to pay attention to the safety aspect before opting for any skin treatment option available these days. So do not waste your precious time; go through the mentioned information carefully and take measures immediately if you notice any common rash symptoms in children. If you are looking for a homeopathy doctor or dermatologist, it would be wise to consult them through OHO Homeopathy.