There are several types of rashes that can develop on the back of your child's hands, but atopic eczema, contact dermatitis or chicken pox is likely the cause of your child's mysterious rash. These conditions are treated differently, so it's important to consult with your doctor for a proper diagnosis and treatment plan.
Atopic Eczema
Atopic eczema is a chronic skin condition that can cause a rash on the back of your child's hands that will make the skin look inflamed with blisters that ooze and crust over. The skin will usually itch before a rash appears, which is why atopic eczema is known as the itch that rashes. The hands are a common location for a rash to appear when a child has eczema. The back of your child's hands may also appear discolored and thickened from excessive scratching. Children with atopic eczema often have asthma or hay fever. Common triggers that worsen atopic eczema symptoms for your child are dry skin, temperature extremes, water, respiratory infections and allergies.
Contact Dermatitis
Contact dermatitis is commonly found on the hands and results from your child getting a substance on the back of his hands that irritates the skin or causes an allergic reaction. The rash resembles a burn and is limited to the area of skin exposed to the irritant or allergen. The rash often has small red bumps that itch and are painful. Common irritants on the back of your child's hands are fragranced hand soaps or moisturizers. If an allergy is present, your child's immune system will fight off substances that are relatively harmless to others by causing an allergic reaction. The substance your immune system responds to is called an allergen. Possible allergens that are on your child's hands are poison ivy, metals or costume jewelry.
Chicken Pox
Chicken pox is caused by the varicella-zoster virus. This rash usually begins on the face and then extends to other areas of the body, but it can first be noticed on the back of your child's hands as well. The rash present with chicken pox initially resembles insect bites, but changes to fluid-filled blisters that break and crust. Flu-like symptoms are also present with chicken pox, such as a moderate fever, body aches, cough and overall feeling of malaise. The blisters are most severe for children with atopic eczema.
Considerations
You can lessen the severity of your child's atopic eczema by moisturizing the skin several times per day with a moisturizer free of dyes, fragrances and chemicals. Discovering what irritates your child's skin and avoiding it whenever possible is the best way to avoid a rash from occurring with both atopic eczema and contact dermatitis. Antihistamines and hydrocortisone creams can relieve some of the symptoms for atopic eczema and contact dermatitis. If your child has chicken pox, he will build immunity that will protect him from getting the condition in the future, although he can still develop shingles, which is caused by the same virus. You can prevent your child from having chicken pox by vaccinating against varicella between 12 and 15 months and giving your child a booster at 4 to 6 years of age. Cool compresses and calamine lotion can relieve itching associated with chicken pox and contact dermatitis.
