Skin rashes in children
A rash in children is a common health problem, which causes significant insomnia for both children and mothers. There are many causes and forms of rashes in children, as well as ways to treat and deal with them, as we will list in this article.
Causes of rashes in children
It is difficult to differentiate between different causes by phenotypic form only in many cases of rashes, because many of the causes of the rash are similar in shape. In differentiating between the various causes of rashes in children, doctors also rely on the following :
- The nature of the behavior of the rash.
- Accompanying symptoms, which vary between the location of the rash and its distribution in the body.
- The speed of appearance and duration of the presence of the rash.
- Other symptoms, such as itching or high fever.
There are many causes of rashes in children between bacterial, viral, or fungal infections, in addition to other reasons such as allergies, and we mention here the most famous causes of rashes in children :
- Cellulitis : an infection of the deeper layers of the skin and the underlying tissues.
- Chickenpox : a viral infection that affects most children, especially under the age of ten.
- Eczema : it is a long-term chronic condition that causes itchy, red, dry and cracked skin.
- Impetigo : a common and highly contagious skin infection that causes sores and blisters on the skin.
- Measles : a highly contagious disease of young children, the incidence of which has recently decreased due to compulsory vaccination of children against it.
- Molluscum contagiosum : a highly contagious viral skin infection, usually affecting children between the ages of one and five.
- Pityriasis rosea : a relatively common skin condition that causes a temporary rash in the form of prominent red scaly patches, usually affecting older children and adults between the ages of ten and thirty.
- Scarlet fever : a highly contagious bacterial infection, usually affecting children between the ages of two and eight.
- Meningitis : although meningitis has become less common in recent years, due to the seriousness of the disease, it is important to be aware of the rash and other signs and symptoms of meningitis, and the rash is in the form of a spotted rash that does not fade when you wrap a cup over it, but it is not necessarily present in all cases.
Some cases of COVID-19 have recently been detected, showing symptoms of rashes.
Symptoms associated with rashes in children
Doctors can distinguish between the different causes of the rash, by the characteristic symptoms associated with some of the causes of this symptom.
Causes that are usually accompanied by overheating :
- Scarlet fever.
- Erythema infectiosum.
- Rosacea in children.
Causes that are usually accompanied by itching :
- Atopic dermatitis.
- Pityriasis rosea.
- Erythema infectiosum.
- Molluscum infectious infection.
- Tinea infection.
Causes that are usually accompanied by characteristic special symptoms :
- Rosacea in children : the rash is usually preceded by a very high temperature, and the rash appears after the temperature drops.
- Pityriasis rosea : which is characterized by the appearance of the “herald spot” and the distribution of the rash is the same between the sides of the body, taking the pattern of a Christmas tree.
- Scarlet fever : the rash usually develops in the upper part of the trunk before spreading throughout the body, except for the palms and soles.
- Impetigo : it is a superficial bacterial infection that mainly affects the face and limbs in children.
- Infectious erythema : which is preceded by a viral prefix followed by a rash on the face in the form of a “cheek slap”.
- Molluscum contagiosum : it is characterized by the presence of pearly white papules, or flesh-colored with a central navel, and this viral disease is highly contagious, but usually goes away without intervention.
- Ringworm : it is a common fungal skin infection in children that may affect the scalp, body, groin, feet, hands or nails.
When should I see a doctor ?
Although rashes in children are one of the annoying complaints, they are often not a cause for much concern, as most rashes in children are minor and may disappear without the need for treatment.
But of course, it is recommended to visit the doctor to check on the child’s condition, especially if the child’s general condition is bad, or the rash is accompanied by other symptoms, and also to rule out serious causes of the rash, such as drug or food allergy, meningitis and others.
