Whether raised, flat, lacy, pimply, oozing or dry, a rash on a child can cause alarm. However, rashes are a fairly common occurrence in a child's life. Different rashes call for different responses and treatments. Some rashes are more ubiquitous than others, but their causes may vary.
Food Allergies
In an American Academy of Pediatrics study released Nov. 16, 2009, Amy Branum and Susan Lukacs found the incidence of food allergies in children increased 18 percent from 1997 to 2007. A common symptom of food allergy is a rash, which usually looks like hives. It is red with a sandpaper texture and most commonly presents itself on the face and around the anus. If food allergies are the culprit of the rash, other symptoms will typically present themselves as well, most commonly a runny nose, recurring ear infection and/or frequent night-waking.
Contact Dermatitis
The Centers for Disease Control defines two kinds of contact dermatitis: allergic and irritant. Allergic contact dermatitis is red with dry and scaly patches of skin. Oozing blisters and swelling are often present. Causes are usually attributed to preservatives in skin products, fragrances and cosmetics. Nickel, sunscreen and rubber are also common skin irritants.
Irritant skin dermatitis feels tight because the skin swells. As a result, it often becomes dry and cracks. Blisters and ulcers may also be visible. Causes are typically harsh soaps, detergents and cleaners, which tend to rob the skin of its protective layer of moisture.
Virus
Renowned pediatrician and author Dr. William Sears says on his website that chicken pox, fifth disease, roseola and coxsackie are all viruses that present themselves in the form of skin rash. If a child has a rash caused by a virus, he or she will also have a fever. Chicken pox are red, cover the body and itch intensely. A child with fifth disease will have bright red cheeks and a lacy rash covering his or her trunk. Roseola is also a lacy rash that covers the trunk, but it also extends to the upper back and neck, arms and legs. Coxsackie is also called hand, food and mouth disease, as blisters are present on these areas. All of these viruses are contagious, and you should isolate the child at least until the fever subsides.
Heat
If the child has a pimply rash presenting in skin folds or on the neck and upper back, suspect heat rash. Sweat, high temperatures and humidity combine to make the ideal environment for skin irritation. Symptoms should clear relatively quickly if an adult dries the skin, removes the child from heat and applies powder.
References
- "Pediatrics: Official Journal of American Academy of Pediatrics"; Food Allergy Among Children in the United States; Amy Branum and Susan Lukas; November 16, 2009
- Centers for Disease Control: Skin Exposures & Effects
- Ask Dr. Sears: Rashes
- Cleveland Clinic: Rashes, Red Skin
- Ask Dr. Sears: Tracking Down Food Allergies
