Your child's health is a major concern in your life; when she suddenly develops a strange rash, you want to know what it is and how to treat it. There are many different types of rashes, some benign, while others indicate a more serious condition. Accompanying symptoms can help pinpoint the type of rash, as well as help your pediatrician treat it.
Symptoms
To better determine what type of rash your child has, check for other symptoms, such as fever, body aches, diarrhea, labored breathing or vomiting. Carefully examine the rash itself; note the areas in which it manifests, such as behind the knees on the stomach or on the face. Check for any oozing sores or raised blisters or puncture wounds, and make note of what he has eaten that day.
Heat Rash
One of the most common reasons for a child to develop a red, bumpy rash is due to heat and sweat. If her rash is mostly around areas where clothes rub, such as around the neck or shoulder areas, or in the folds of skin, she may have heat rash. According to the website BabyCenter, heat rash is common in the summertime, but you can also see it in winter, when your baby wears more clothing. Fortunately, heat rash is not a serious condition; however, it is a sign your baby needs to cool down.
Allergies
An allergic reaction can also lead to your toddler's rash. Foods, chemicals and even certain clothing materials can cause skin to break out in red bumps. Allergies are an immune system reaction which can result in an itchy, bumpy rash; hives; swelling of the face, lips or tongue; breathing concerns; and vomiting or diarrhea. If your child has a known allergy and is experiencing any of these symptoms, consult your pediatrician.
Roseola
There are some viruses, such as the herpes simplex virus, that can manifest in red bumps and a fever. Roseola, for example, is caused by the herpes virus and is characterized by a 103-degree Fahrenheit fever, reports BabyCenter. The fever can last for three to five days, followed by a rash that begins on the torso and neck and eventually spreads to the trunk, face and legs. This condition is fairly mild, although if your child has a fever of 103 degrees, call your pediatrician.
Molluscum
Molluscum contagiosum is another skin condition caused by a virus. This virus only affects the epidermal, or outer layer of skin and typically goes away on its own. Children between the ages of 1 and 10 are most commonly affected, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and may experience small raised bumps or blisters. Keep the bumps covered with a bandage or clothing, as they are contagious. Talk to your pediatrician about treatment options. Once the bumps disappear, your child cannot spread molluscum.
