Preschoolers bring all manner of bumps, rashes and scrapes home from school. When, though, should you worry about that little itchy spot on your child's face (or arms, or all over her body)? Some common preschool skin problems are easily treated at home, but rashes can also indicate infections, allergies or chronic conditions that require a pediatrician's expertise. When in doubt, it's always best to have your child's doctor take a look.
Eczema
Eczema usually presents as red, dry peeling skin that may start oozing. When eczema persists, the skin often becomes thickened and scaly-looking. It often occurs in children who have allergies or a family history of allergies or eczema, although not all eczema is caused by allergies.
Preschoolers with eczema may have had itching, redness and small bumps on the face and scalp as infants. Severe itching and allergy problems generally accompany the rash. The rash may disappear or improve by two or three years of age, only to return when the child is between the ages of four and 10 as circular, raised, scaly eruptions in the bends of elbows, behind the knees and on the backs of wrists and ankles.
Eczema is usually a chronic problem that can persist into adulthood. If your child has a rash that looks like eczema, your pediatrician needs to examine it to determine the appropriate treatment.
Contact Dermatitis
When skin comes in contact with an irritant or allergen, contact dermatitis can occur. Repeated exposure to citrus juices, strong soaps or detergents, bubble bath, or rough fabrics can irritate the skin. Even prolonged exposure to his own saliva can irritate your child's skin enough to raise a rash.
If you've suffered a bout of poison ivy, then you've experienced allergic contact dermatitis. An allergic reaction can last for seven to 10 days after exposure to an allergen, and results in a very red, itchy, swollen and oozing rash. Common allergens include nickel jewelry or clothing snaps; certain flavorings and additives to toothpastes; dyes and glues used in clothing and shoes; toxic plants; and certain medications.
Mild contact dermatitis often goes away when exposure to an irritant is removed and the skin is protected with a moisturizer. If it doesn't, your pediatrician may recommend a visit to an allergist or pediatric dermatologist.
Impetigo
Impetigo is a skin infection caused when bacteria enters the skin through a small cut, scratch or insect bite. It begins as a tiny red bump that develop into pus-filled blisters. The blisters often crust over into honey-colored scabs.
Impetigo generally isn't serious, but it is contagious and should be treated by a pediatrician. Your child's doctor may prescribe oral or topical antibiotics and may recommend soaks or baths to remove his scabs.
Viral Infections
Many common childhood viruses result in distinctive rashes. Roseola causes a high fever, followed by small red bumps that start on the trunk and spread all over the body. Fifth disease results in red cheeks and a fine, lacy reddish rash on the arms. Chicken pox causes small red bumps that crust over and itch.
These rashes are preceded by fevers or cold-like symptoms that will alert you to an illness sometimes days before the rash appears. Viral infections are highly contagious before and after symptoms appear, so it's best to consult your pediatrician or a health care website like the American Academy of Pediatrician's Healthy Children to learn more about your child's symptoms.
Ringworm
Ringworm isn't caused by a worm; it's the result of a fungal infection. Ringworm causes round or oval patches that, as they grow, become smooth in the middle with a ring-like red, scaly border. The first sign of infection is one or more red, scaly patches. Patches may not look like rings until they've grown to half an inch in diameter.
Ringworm can infect the scalp or the skin elsewhere on the body. If your child has scalp ringworm, he may lose some hair in the infected area. According to the American Association of Pediatrician's Healthy Children website, certain types of scalp ringworm may look like dandruff or cradle cap. If your child's scalp is continually scaly and she's over a year old, it's probably ringworm.
If you suspect ringworm, a pediatrician visit is in order. A small patch of body ringworm can be treated with topical cream; however, scalp ringworm or multiple body infections may require oral antifungal medication.
Scabies
Scabies is an infestation of tiny mites that burrow under the skin and lay their eggs. Scabies usually appears as itchy red bumps two to four weeks after the mites enter the skin.You may see threadlike gray or white lines alongside the rash. Scabies is extremely itchy and is often worse at night.
If you suspect a scabies infestation, take your child to the pediatrician. Scabies requires prescription treatment. As scabies is easily spread by person-to-person contact, ask your pediatrician for advice on preventing its spread to other family members.
