Rashes are a common occurrence in children. Although most are benign, they can cause significant discomfort to the child and stress to the parents. Children often get rashes after contact with an irritating object or food, after ingestion of food or others substances like medicines, or as part of a systemic illness.
Features
According to Medline Plus, one of the most common rashes in infants is diaper rash, caused by prolonged dampness in the diaper area. Other common rashes in infants include erythema toxicum, which causes flat red splotches in newborns, and eczema, which appears as areas of dry, scaly and itchy skin. Older children frequently have viral rashes or hives as a result of an allergic reaction.
Identification
The appearance of a rash can help determine its origin. Flat red rashes that appear all over the body usually indicate a viral infection. Raised or bumpy, red, itchy rashes are common during allergic reactions. Other factors that can help identify a rash include a history of insect bites, a recent ingestion of foods or medicines, or other symptoms, such as fever, cough and runny nose, headache and trouble breathing or swallowing.
Types
According to the Merck Manual for Healthcare Professionals, rashes can be described in several ways. Macules are flat, small, non-raised lesions, while papules are small raised lesions. Papules are small raised lesions, while plaques are large palpable lesions. Vesicles are small, fluid-filled blisters, which are called bullae if larger than ten millimeters in diameters. These descriptions help health professionals visualize a rash without actually seeing it and can help narrow down its cause.
Effects
Itching is a common response to certain rashes. According to the Merck Manuals, itching is a response to the release of histamine, the main substance the body releases during an allergic reaction. Children with allergic rashes, eczema, or with certain viral infections like varicella, scratch uncontrollably, which can lead to further inflammation and irritation of the skin and predispose them to bacterial skin infections, like cellulitis and abscesses.
Warning
Certain rashes in children should prompt parents to seek medical attention. Petechia, a maroon-colored pinprick rash, and purpura, a larger violet-colored rash, could indicate the presence of a serious bacterial infection called meningococcemia, which, if untreated, can be fatal. Also, a health professional should examine children with a rash and high fever, listlessness, persistent vomiting, severe dehydration, or abdominal pain.
