An intermittent rash on a child's face typically points to an underlying condition. This type of rash can be the result of relatively harmless conditions or dangerous diseases. Rash characteristics and accompanying symptoms generally indicate how concerned you should be. If your child experiences discomfort or other worrisome symptoms, contact your doctor for an official diagnosis.
Understanding Rash Types
A rash may appear either flat or raised. As Dr. William Sears, a pediatrian, describes, some flat rashes take on a pattern, such as a "lacy" pattern that looks as though red lace covers the affected area. Others have flat spots or larger blotches that dot along the skin, while others simply spread out in an even, consistent patch. Raised rashes may consist of small raised bumps, "pimply" raised bumps with a white head, larger welts or flaky scales. "Blistery" rashes have a fluid-filled center while pustules have a pus-filled center. A raised rash also may appear as an evenly raised patch.
Nonthreatening Causes
According to MedlinePlus, eczema occurs as an immune system response against common toxins or allergens. Scaly, raised skin rashes appear along the face, neck, hands and feet. It occurs most frequently in infancy and generally disappears by early adulthood. Psoriasis, another immune response, causes a thick red rash with silver-white scales and occasional pustules. The condition usually begins after puberty and mostly affects the elbows, knees and trunk but sometimes appears on the face. According to the National Rosacea Society, rosacea -- a condition causing facial blood vessels to dilate too easily -- appears in children but on a rare basis. A flat, red rash appears only on the face.
Severe Cause
Systemic lupus erythematosus, a life-threatening disease that causes the immune system to attack healthy tissue, affects the skin, joints and internal organs. Symptoms occur in children as young as 10 and include a butterfly-shaped rash that covers the cheeks and bridge of the nose. MayoClinic.com lists fatigue, fever, fluctuations in weight, joint pain, mouth sores, shortness of breath, chest pain, easy bruising and depression among other common symptoms.
Visiting the Doctor
Schedule an appointment with the doctor if your child's facial rashes come with joint pain, fever or sore throat. If your child experiences no other symptoms but the rash causes extreme discomfort, call your doctor and ask if he thinks you need to bring your child in for an appointment. When in doubt, contact your doctor for an official diagnosis and treatment plan. If your child experiences difficulty breathing, fainting spells or chest pain, seek emergency medical treatment.
Treatment
In most cases, you can treat the rash but not the underlying condition. MedlinePlus provides several tips. Avoid scrubbing the rash and clean the area only with oatmeal or other gentle cleansers. Use lukewarm water and pat dry. Avoid cosmetic lotions, but, if your child complains of itchiness, an over-the-counter hydrocortisone cream may provide relief. Your doctor will suggest other treatments, depending on the underlying condition, such as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs for lupus and antihistamines for eczema.
