Many common skin disorders present in infants are easily diagnosed by their distinct characteristics. Some rashes appear as tiny, transparent bumps, while others have crusty scaling features. The appearance and texture of the differing rashes can help parents identify and understand what skin ailment their baby may have.
Types
Rashes that occur in infants range from the most benign and expected to rare life-threatening conditions. The most common types of local rashes include milia, which are harmless tiny bumps on the face; seborrheic dermatitis, which is cradle cap localized to the scalp; and diaper dermatitis that appears as glazed red skin in the area under the diaper. Other skin rashes occur in widespread manifestations, such as cutis marmorata, scalded skin syndrome, vernix caseosa and scarlatiform rash.
Features
Rash features vary as widely as do the types. Features include the distribution of the rash, its tactile nature and color. Examples of typical rashes in infants cover a broad spectrum of characteristics. For instance, one rash may present as tiny cyst-like bumps without pus, while another tiny cyst-like rash can present with pus. Some rashes that manifest in sloughing of skin are harmless such as in vernix caseosa, which is a natural result of the gestational period. Other sloughing types are dangerous and life-threatening conditions like scalded skin syndrome. Rash pigmentations cover a wide variety of colors from red to black. Blanching is also a distinguishing feature of most rashes. If you press on the rash and it turns white, which is blanching, then it is less likely to be a dangerous condition. If the rash doesn't blanch with pressure then it has a high likelihood of being life-threatening and may constitute an emergency.
Signs and Symptoms
Signs are the visual manifestations of a condition which help a practitioner diagnose. Signs of rashes include any abnormal coloring, texture, flaking, spotting and sloughing of the skin.
Symptoms of rashes include irritability, pain, itching, crawling, tenderness and systemic issues such as flu-like symptoms and fatigue.
Causes
The causes of infant rashes can be congenital, as is the case with vernix caseosa; bacterial as present in impetigo and scalded skin syndrome; viral like rubella, rubeolla and molluscum contagiosum; fungal such as ring worm, cradle cap and diaper rash; and environmental causes, which can include allergens and chemicals.
Treatments
To treat rashes, the underlying causes need to be addressed. For instance, if the rash is caused by bacteria then broad-spectrum antibiotics are given such as amoxicillin. Fungal skin infections are treated with systemic and topical antifungals like fluconazole. Many harmeless skin conditions do not require treatment at all, while others are treated by proper hygiene and vigilant skin care.
References
- "Journal of the Turkish Academy of Dermatology": Physiologic Skin Findings of Newborn
- "Color Atlas & Synopsis of Pediatric Dermatology"; Kay Shou-Mei Kane, M.D., et al.; 2002
- "Textbook of Pediatric Dermatology" 2nd ed.; John Harper, M.D., et al., eds.; 2006
- "Fitzpatrick's Color Atlas & Synopsis of Clinical Dermatology" 5th ed.; Klaus Wolf, M.D., et al.; 2005
- "Color Atlas of Pediatric Dermatololgy"; Samuel Weinberg, M.D. et al.; 2008
