Although common in infancy, rashes can be a source of concern and worry for parents, as stated in "Essentials of Pediatric Nursing." In addition, when a rash affects the infant's face, parents worry about how their infant is perceived in public, whether the baby's face will be scarred, and if people will think that the rash is contagious. Most rashes are self-limited and therefore do not require urgent attention from a doctor, according to AskDrSears.com, but it is important to be able to distinguish among rashes that are benign and rashes that may be a sign of a more serious condition.
Describing Rashes
After realizing that the infant has a rash, the next step for a parent to help the health-care provider properly diagnose the rash is to provide an accurate history regarding the way the rash first appeared and the nature of the rash. The parent should note whether the rash first began on the infant's face and then progressed to the infant's back, or vice versa, or whether the rash appeared on both the face and back simultaneously. Also of importance is the description of the rash itself. Rashes can be described by their color, such as red, white, or purple. They may also be described by their texture, such as bumpy, flat, blister-like, lacy, pimply, blotchy, or welt-like. In addition, some bumpy or pimply rashes may appear to be filled with pus, according to AskDrSears.com.
Common Rashes Affecting the Back and Face
AskDrSears.com outlines several commonly identified rashes affecting the face and back of infants, including eczema or atopic dermatitis, heat rash, impetigo and general facial rashes. According to The Merck Manual for Healthcare Professionals, atopic dermatitis can especially affect an infant's face as an angry-appearing, red, weeping, crusty rash that then progresses from the face to other parts of the infant's body. Heat rash usually presents as small, red, pimple-like bumps that occur where infants commonly sweat, for instance, the back and neck. Impetigo is commonly seen around an infant's nose and mouth as raised, red bumps with honey-colored crust on the surface. It occurs as the result of a bacterial infection on the skin. General facial rashes refers to reddish, flat patches on an infant's face. They can include some small, red, raised bumps that results from local irritation to the skin from chronic drooling, contact or rubbing on a parent's clothing, or uncleaned food left over on the skin.
Rashes Associated With Illnesses
Common viral causes of rashes affecting an infant's face and back include Roseola, Fifth's Disease, Coxsackie. Chicken pox is a common source of rash and may affect infants as well as older children, however, the rash associated with chicken pox is not limited to the face and back, says AskDr. ears.com. The rash of Roseola is usually red, mildly bumpy, and occasionally lacy starting on the upper back and neck following a febrile illness, according to "Essentials of Pediatric Nursing." Fifth's Disease rash begins as flat, brightly red patches on the infant's face, which result in it also being referred to as Slapped Cheek Disease, Coxsackie virus results in a blistering rash affecting the infant's mouth, hands, and feet.
Common Treatments for Rashes
According to "Essentials of Pediatric Nursing," many infant rashes are best treated by washing the affected area with a cool, damp washcloth using water alone and then patting dry. Rashes should not be dried by rubbing with a towel since this will exacerbate the already affected skin. Rashes requiring further medical treatment, such as atopic dermatitis and impetigo, are usually treated with topical medications. Occasionally, systemic antibiotics or steroid treatments may be indicated, according to AskDrSears.com.
More Serious Rashes
There are two types of rashes that can affect an infant's face and back that can be alarming and that should prompt the parent to seek medical evaluation promptly. The first is referred to as petechiae, which appears as small, flat, pin-point sized, red spots that will not blanch or turn white when pressed upon, as described by the Merck Manual for Healthcare Professionals. Petechiae are the result of tiny broken blood vessels and often are indicative of a bleeding disorder. The second worrisome rash is called purpura. Purpura are larger areas of bleeding under the skin that appear as purplish, dark red, or bluish patches on the skin that also will not blanch when pressed upon, according to the Merck Manuals. Purpura are usually the result of a bleeding disorder and further medical evaluation is immediately warranted.
References
- "Essentials of Pediatric Nursing"; Theresa Kyle; 2008
- askdrsears.com
- The Merck Manual for Healthcare Professionals
