Dermatitis is a medical term used to describe an array of skin-inflammation issues. Dermatitis doesn't discriminate by age, and all types of it can be seen in children as well as adults. While some dermatitis symptoms can be mild and temporary, others can be severe and become long-term ailments. The symptoms, however, are treatable.
Contact Dermatitis
Contact dermatitis is an allergic reaction that occurs when you come into contact with certain irritants. While adults are usually more apt to suffer from contact dermatitis, a number of substances can cause this reaction in children as well. These irritants can often be found in perfumes, lotions, soaps and detergents. Foods such as peanuts and dairy can cause contact dermatitis in young children, as can contact with certain metals, latex and plant irritants, such as poison ivy.
Atopic Dermatitis
Atopic dermatitis, also referred to as eczema, is often found in children early in life, usually before a child's first birthday. Eczema causes severe itching partnered with a red rash that may exhibit small bumps. While these symptoms are shared with several other types of dermatitis, the location of eczema is the biggest clue to diagnosing it. Eczema usually shows up in the creases of your body, such as the back of the knees or elbows and in the groin area. It may be confused with psoriasis, which is classified as an autoimmune disease that can create itchy rashes and skin irritation in the same areas.
Seborrheic Dermatitis
Seborrheic dermatitis is a skin disorder that is commonly present on your scalp. It is common in infants and children and is also referred to as cradle cap. It causes a red and itchy rash that produces flakes on the skin similar to dandruff. Seborrheic dermatitis can also spread to other areas of the body, including the face, chest and back.
Symptoms
Symptoms of dermatitis in your child may vary from light bumps or a red rash to more severe signs, such as flaking skin, blisters and severe itching -- and they are easy to notice. But such diagnoses should be made by a doctor to determine the cause as well as the proper treatment. Contact dermatitis usually ceases once the items causing the allergic reaction are removed. Unfortunately, atopic and seborrheic dermatitis aren't curable, but symptoms can be managed through medications.
