Rashes are the physical manifestations of a variety of ailments. With their developing immune systems, children are more susceptible to these conditions, according to the "Textbook of Pediatric Dermatology."
Schools, day-care centers and parks where children are close together increase the likelihood of spread of contagious rashes. The "Fitzpatrick's Color Atlas & Synopsis of Clinical Dermatology" explains that the majority of these diseases are spread by respiratory droplet and direct skin-to-skin contact, while others are insect- or animal-borne.
Bacterial Rashes
A variety of rashes are caused by bacteria. Some of these ailments are local crusts, having no additional symptoms other than the rash itself. Others are systemic infections that manifest with eruptions covering the entire body, which can be life-threatening if left untreated.
Drs. Klaus Wolff, Richard Johnson and Dick Suurmond agree that the most common bacteria involved in childhood rashes are Staphylococcus aureus and group A Streptococcus spp. These bacteria can cause rashes ranging from "honey-colored" crusts on a small area, as is the case in impetigo, up to the skin sloughing off of the entire body as manifested by the staphylococcal scalded skin syndrome, which can result in sepsis and death.
The majority of these conditions can be effectively treated with antibiotics such as amoxicillin, penicillin and cephalosporins, as well as topical ointments, including mupirocin, bacitracin and silver sulfadiazine.
Viral Exanthems
Another large group of childhood rashes are caused by viral infections. This category of rashes manifest with distinct flu-like symptoms. The "Harrison's Principles of Internal Medicine" describes viral exanthems as self-limiting and easily preventable by immunizations. Examples of these include measles, rubella and hand-foot-mouth disease.
Fungal Infections
The most common causes of fungal infections are the candida spp. and Malassia furfur, according to "Pediatric Dermatology." These infections manifest as either beefy red splotches or white thick crusts with skin maceration. Examples of this group include cradle cap, ring worm or tinea corporis, diaper dermatitis and athlete's foot or tinea pedis.
Fungal infections can be treated either systemically with terbinafine, itraconazole, fluconazole and griseofulvin, according to "Fitzpatrick's Color Atlas & Synopsis of Clinical Dermatology" or topically with antifungal creams.
Vector-Borne
Technically bacterial infections, vector-borne rashes are transmitted by insects and therefore are labeled in a different class. The most common ailments of this group are Lyme disease and Rocky mountain spotted fever, which are both transmitted by a species of ticks, according to Drs. Klaus Wolff and Richard Johnson. Both infections can be treated successfully by antibiotics.
These conditions are especially prevalent in children and manifest with characteristic rashes. In Lyme disease, which is caused by a spirochete Borrelia burgedoferi, states "Pediatric Dermatology," the rash starts with a distinctive "bull's eye" rash around the insect bite.
Contrary to its name, RMSF rarely occurs in the Rocky Mountains and is much more prevalent in the humid Southeast. Wolff and Johnson explain that RMSF is caused by the Rickettsia rickettsii bacteria and starts on the wrists of the infected child. Afterward, the pinpoint-hemorrhaging rash spreads to the palms and soles then covers the rest of the body.
Allergies
Caused by hypersensitivity reactions to environmental irritants, the allergic class of rashes are easily treatable by applying hydrocortisone to the area and removing the allergen. The "Textbook of Pediatric Dermatology" states further that some of these skin rashes can be caused by ingesting certain foods such as strawberries, nuts, shellfish and eggs or by medications such as aspirin, antibiotics and naproxen. Atopic dermatitis is the most common example of this group and can appear as early as two months of life.
References
- "Fitzpatrick's Color Atlas & Synopsis of Clinical Dermatology" 5th ed.; Klaus Wolf, MD & et al.; 2005
- "Harrison's Principles of Internal Medicine" 17th ed.; Anthony Fauci, MD & et al., eds.; 2008
- "Blueprint: Pediatrics" 4th ed.; Bradley Marino, MD & Katie Fine, MD; 2007
- "Textbook of Pediatric Dermatology" 2nd ed.; John Harper, MD & et al, eds.; 2006
- "Pediatric Dermatology" 3rd ed.; Lawrence Schachner, MD and Ronald Hansen, MD eds.; 2003
