What’s That?! Identify and Treating Common Rashes in Children
It can happen in an instant. One moment, your child is fine, and the next, they have a red rash on their hand, face, or body. As a parent, it’s scary. You wonder, what is that? Is it serious? What should I do?
Skin rashes can be a sign of many health issues, some as simple as dry skin and others signifying an infection that needs antibiotics. As kids return to school and come in contact with others, rashes are on the rise.
Here are some of the most common, including how to identify them and if you need to see a doctor right away.
Common Rashes in Children: Three common types of rashes can fall into three categories: viral, bacterial, or dermatitis.
Viral Rashes
These are rashes brought on by a viral infection. Here are a few common culprits.
Fifth disease (also called slap cheek disease)
Look for a bright red rash on your child’s cheeks. They may also have a fever. After a few days, the facial rash may fade but then show up as a pink, lacy-like pattern on your child’s arms and legs. This is caused by a virus called Parvovirus B19. There is no specific parvovirus infection treatment, and care focuses on symptom control, hydration, and rest. You can give Tylenol or ibuprofen for fever or discomfort. For itching, using an unscented moisturizing lotion or over-the-counter antihistamines is helpful. Parvovirus infection can be dangerous for unborn babies; therefore, it is recommended to stay away from pregnant women if you have this infection.
RSV
RSV is a respiratory virus. RSV can be serious for babies and older adults as these groups are more vulnerable to the lung inflammation the virus causes, leading to pneumonia and bronchiolitis. RSV can also cause a rash characterized by small red bumps that appear as patches of redness and may be itchy. Typically, this rash appears around the chest, abdomen, pelvis, back, arms or legs. While a rash doesn’t happen with every case of RSV, it can occur and happens more often in children rather than adults.
Hand, Foot and Mouth Disease
This disease appears in a red rash on your toddler’s hands, soles of their feet, and around their mouth. The bumps or blisters can be very painful. Thankfully, this one usually goes away on its own within one to two weeks. You can treat your child’s pain and fever with acetaminophen or ibuprofen. The main risk with this infection is dehydration because painful mouth sores sometimes prevent children from drinking. If your child isn’t drinking well or has a significant decrease in the amount of urine they are making, it is time to be evaluated by your doctor.
Additional rash-causing viruses that are preventable thanks to vaccines include Chickenpox, Measles, Rubella, or German Measles.
Bacterial Rashes
Strep Throat/Scarlet Fever
The bacteria that causes strep throat can also cause a rash that resembles a sunburn. The rash is raised and feels rough, like sandpaper. It can start on the child’s neck or upper chest and then spread to other parts of your child’s body. Strep and the rash it can cause are treated with antibiotics.
Impetigo
This is a common skin infection caused by bacteria. It starts with a break in the skin, which can be from a cut, a bite, or persistent itching that has caused an open space for bacteria to enter and start the infection. The most common bacteria that causes impetigo is a type of “staph.” called staphylococcus aureus. Impetigo can start as tiny or large blisters and burst, leaving red patches that dry into yellow scabs. While impetigo can develop anywhere on the body, it is very common on the face around a child’s nose, mouth, and ears. Impetigo is very contagious and is treated with topical antibiotic ointment or cream for less severe cases and oral antibiotics if the infection has spread or is severe.
Dermatitis
Dermatitis is a term used to describe skin inflammation that can be from a variety of causes. Here are some of the most common in babies and children.
Diaper Rash
Many parents of babies are familiar with this rash, which is caused by moisture in the diaper area, causing the growth of bacteria that irritates the skin. While increasing diaper changes and short moments of leaving the diaper off and over-the-counter petroleum jelly and zinc oxide solutions can help, but there are some instances where prescription creams are necessary.
Cradle Cap
Also common in newborns, cradle cap is characterized by yellow scaly patches on the infant’s scalp caused by the overproduction of oil from glands on the baby’s scalp. Treatment includes gently rubbing the scale off using a mild bath shampoo.
Eczema
Characterized by red, itchy, irritated, and dry patches, eczema is very common in kids and is often the result of seasonal or allergic triggers. There are over-the-counter moisturizing options and prescription treatments for more severe cases.
Contact Dermatitis
This category can include rashes caused by poison ivy, medications, or irritants like perfumes, soaps, bath bombs, lotions, etc. Treatment can consist of moisturizers or anti-itch creams and, for more serious cases, topical or oral steroids.
Dr. Kristi Trussell is an ER physician and Assistant Medical Director of The Urgency Room
Related Article: How To Know If Your Child Has Seasonal Allergies
