Skin diseases in children span a wide array of conditions impacting the skin of infants, children, and adolescents. These conditions can range in severity from mild and transient to chronic and potentially severe.
A variety of skin conditions can impact infants, toddlers, children, and adolescents at different stages of their lives. Healthcare providers see a high number of office visits from children each year for skin-related issues. Skin conditions in children may include hives, warts, acne, birthmarks, and various types of rashes.
Diaper Rashes: Diaper rash, also known as diaper dermatitis, is the most common skin issue in babies. It happens when moisture in the diaper area irritates the skin or allows fungi or bacteria that usually live there in small amounts to grow. To avoid or treat diaper rash, keep your baby's diaper area clean and dry by changing diapers often. When changing your child's diaper, let them go without it for a short time before putting on a new one.
Cradle Cap: Cradle cap, also known as infant seborrheic dermatitis, is a skin condition that causes yellow, scaly patches with a red rash on a baby's scalp. It occurs due to overproduction of oil by the sebaceous glands on the scalp.
Eczema: Eczema, also known as atopic dermatitis, leads to itchy, red, irritated, and dry skin in children. It arises from differences in the skin barrier and an immune system prone to allergies, making the skin more sensitive, infection-prone, and dry.
Fifth Diseases: Fifth disease, also called slapped cheek or slap face disease, causes a bright red rash on a child's cheeks. It's caused by a virus called Parvovirus B19. Besides the rash, your child might have a fever and other general symptoms. After a few days, the rash on the face will start to fade. But then, your child might get pink patches in a lacy pattern on their arms and legs.
Roseola: Roseola, also known as the sixth disease, is caused by the human herpesvirus 6. When your little one gets roseola, they will experience a sudden high fever that can stick around for up to a week. After the fever subsides, you might notice a slightly raised, pink rash with spots on the chest or stomach. This rash may then spread to their upper arms and neck before fading away after approximately 24 hours.
Chickenpox: Chickenpox is caused by the varicella-zoster virus. It typically starts with a rash on your child's face, chest, and back, which may spread to the whole body. The rash develops into itchy, fluid-filled blisters that later form scabs. Chickenpox usually goes away on its own within one to two weeks.
Measles: Measles, a disease caused by the Morbillivirus, is highly contagious but can be prevented through vaccination, such as the measles vaccine or MMR vaccine. It begins with a rash on the face, often around the mouth or behind the ears, before spreading downward across the body. The rash starts as flat red spots and may later develop smaller raised white spots on top, which can merge as the rash advances.
Rubella: Rubella, also known as German measles, is preventable by vaccination. Although it can resemble measles, it is caused by a different virus. Rubella's rash begins on the face and neck, spreading to other body parts and lasting about three days unless complications arise. Symptoms like fever, cough, or runny nose may precede the rash.
Molluscum contagiosum: Molluscum contagiosum is a viral infection causing a benign yet sometimes irritating rash. It presents as raised, flesh-colored, pink, or pearly white bumps with central indentations on the skin, commonly found on the face, chest, stomach, arms, and legs. Although painless, these bumps can last for months to years before spontaneously resolving without treatment.
Hand, foot and mouth disease: Hand, foot, and mouth disease is caused by an enterovirus, leading to a red rash around the mouth, on the palms, and soles of the feet, with potential spread to other areas. The rash may develop into painful bumps or blisters on the skin and inside the mouth.
Scarlet fever: Strep throat and scarlet fever are caused by the bacterium group A Streptococcus. Scarlet fever typically begins with symptoms like fever, sore throat, and headache, but the distinguishing feature is a raised, red rash on the neck and upper chest, which can spread to other parts of the body. Children with scarlet fever may have a red face with a pale area around the mouth. The rash feels rough like sandpaper and resembles a sunburn.
Impetigo: Impetigo is caused by Group A Streptococcus or Staphylococcus aureus bacteria, commonly affecting children aged 2 to 5 but possible at any age. It leads to red bumps, blisters, or crusty spots, typically around the mouth and nose or any irritated skin area.
Ringworm: Ringworm is caused by a fungus, not a worm, despite its name. It results in round or oval patches on your child's skin, initially with smooth centers and red, scaly borders that may not resemble rings at first but become more defined as they enlarge. These patches can be itchy, painful, and may become puffy and inflamed.
Psoriasis: Psoriasis, a chronic skin condition, causes red, flaky patches of skin covered by scales. While some children with mild symptoms may not need treatment, others may require long-term management,commonly observed in children with a family history of the disease.
Erythema Multiforme: Erythema multiforme is usually a gentle skin rash that occurs when someone has an allergic reaction to the herpes simplex virus (HSV). It's identified by unique spots that have a dark-red center and a lighter ring around them. These spots often show up on the hands, feet, limbs, and torso.
Pityriasis Rosea: Pityriasis rosea is a skin problem that leads to the development of itchy, red, scaly patches. It usually affects children and young adults.
Cellulitis: Cellulitis is a skin and tissue infection that causes redness, swelling, and warmth in the affected area, often accompanied by pain. It can occur anywhere on the body and may need to be treated with antibiotics.
Scabies: Scabies is a contagious skin infestation in children caused by the Sarcoptes scabiei mite, leading to severe itching and a rash resembling pimples.
Hives: Hives, also known as urticaria, are itchy pink, pale, or red bumps on a baby's skin, varying in size and shape, sometimes appearing as rings or targets. They can occur anywhere on the body and may flatten out over time, but new bumps can continue to appear. Viral infections, food or medicine allergies, cold temperatures, and stress can cause hives, although many cases have no known cause. Antihistamines are the primary treatment for hives.
Baby Acne: Baby acne can lead to the appearance of small white bumps and pink pimples on your little one's face, such as their forehead, cheeks, eyelids, and chin. It may occur due to an inflammatory response to yeast on their skin. Occasionally, you might notice baby acne on their chest or neck. Thankfully, baby acne typically resolves on its own within the first three months of their life.
Warts: Warts in children result from a skin infection caused by the human papillomavirus (HPV), with different HPV types affecting various skin areas, forming hard bumps. They typically appear on hands, fingers, feet, face, genitals, or knees, and often resolve spontaneously as the immune system clears the virus, though they can be painful and unsightly.
Hemangiomas: Hemangiomas are noncancerous growths consisting of blood vessels that appear as raised, red, or purplish birthmarks on the skin.
It's important to consult with a healthcare provider or dermatologist for an accurate diagnosis and appropriate treatment plan for any pediatric skin condition.
" We explained reg our treatment and gave good service and finally, we got very good results for my skin and the clinic ambience was very hygienic I recommend Dr. Prathyusha good and experienced dermatologist. "
" We explained reg our treatment and gave good service and finally, we got very good results for my skin and the clinic ambience was very hygienic I recommend Dr. Prathyusha good and experienced dermatologist. "
" We explained reg our treatment and gave good service and finally, we got very good results for my skin and the clinic ambience was very hygienic I recommend Dr. Prathyusha good and experienced dermatologist. "
MI