Understanding Childhood Rashes: A Pediatrician’s Advice for Parents

In case you have ever checked out a purple, bumpy, itchy rash in your little one’s pores and skin and puzzled, “Is that this regular?” you aren’t alone. It may be exhausting to know which rashes want medical care and which of them will be handled at dwelling. Fortunately, Lauren Strelitz, MD, a pediatrician at Stanford Medicine Children’s Health – Pediatrics in Pinole has some suggestions that will help you work out one of the simplest ways to cope with rashes. She additionally discusses this in a HealthTalks podcast.

What’s a rash?

Rashes will be tough as a result of they typically look alarming: purple, infected pores and skin or tough, bumpy patches. Typically they’re itchy too. Scratching solely makes rashes worse however strive telling that to a toddler or preschooler! Understanding extra about rashes might help you establish the following step.

“A rash is principally simply any change of texture or colour of the pores and skin. And a few rashes don’t have any signs. It’s simply one thing you see. After which different rashes will be itchy or painful,” Dr. Strelitz stated. “I believe children in all probability get quite a lot of rashes that they don’t come to the physician for. However the most typical rashes that I see are both eczema or a viral exanthem, which is a sort of rash brought on by a viral an infection.”

Widespread causes of rashes

Eczema is a persistent situation that often wants ongoing care, whereas viral rashes often go away on their very own except brought on by sure viruses, similar to herpes, which can want therapy.

“Most rashes don’t require any therapy except it’s a viral rash like herpes, which you’d deal with with an antiviral remedy the kid would take by mouth,” Dr. Strelitz stated. “Eczema flares undoubtedly require therapy, however one of many targets with eczema is to attempt to stop the rash from coming by figuring out triggers. This isn’t all the time potential, although, as a result of even issues like climate modifications can set off eczema.”

When do you have to see a pediatrician for a rash?

Whereas many rashes are innocent, some require a health care provider’s analysis. Dr. Strelitz defined that if a rash lasts greater than a few weeks, feels itchy or painful, or is getting worse, you must examine in along with your pediatrician. Moreover, some rashes are related to sickness. So, a health care provider ought to have a look in case your little one isn’t feeling nicely or has a fever, or if the rash is spreading.

“If it’s painful, they need to not wait. They need to all the time see a health care provider if it’s painful. If the rash is persistent, lasting longer than one to 2 weeks, that may undoubtedly be a purpose to see a health care provider, even when it’s not bothering the kid. Though there are lots of persistent rashes which can be completely benign and don’t want a therapy, your little one nonetheless ought to get evaluated,” she stated.

“If it’s bothering the kid, like if it’s itchy, that may even be a purpose to see a health care provider. And, in fact, with the extra extreme rashes, like in case your little one is sick, or getting worse, or the rash is getting larger, these are causes to see a health care provider.”

Treating a rash at dwelling

In keeping with Dr. Strelitz, most delicate rashes will be handled at dwelling with some easy modifications in skincare.

“If it’s itchy, eliminating any potential allergens like scented soaps, scented detergents, dryer sheets, cloth softeners might help. After which apply a petroleum-based ointment to exchange that oil barrier and to assuage the pores and skin,” she stated. “You can too strive over-the-counter topical hydrocortisone, however you shouldn’t use that for greater than every week with out seeing the physician.”

Dr. Strelitz advises mother and father to lock within the pores and skin’s moisture, however not all moisturizers are created equal. She recommends skipping lotions and choosing plain lotions or ointments (like Vaseline) with out added substances.

“It’s a must to watch out with lotion as a result of lotion is 60% water. If you rub the lotion onto the pores and skin, the water evaporates, and it pulls the moisture from the pores and skin with it. In some individuals, notably individuals with eczema, lotion can truly make the pores and skin drier,” she stated. “Lotions additionally generally have fragrances, that are a extremely massive set off for contact and atopic dermatitis, eczema. I believe lotions are higher than lotion, however ointments (a easy oily preparation that’s rubbed on the pores and skin) are the perfect for dry pores and skin.”

Belief your instincts

In case you are anxious about your little one’s rash, or simply have questions on it, Dr. Strelitz recommends reaching out to your pediatrician.

“For those who’re simply undecided and also you wish to get checked out, you don’t want a purpose to see the physician,” she stated. “We’re all the time pleased to see a baby and to advise you.”

For extra recommendation from Dr. Strelitz, see Pink Eye in Kids: What Parents Need to Know or Beat the Heat: Keep Kids Safe in the Autumn Sun.

To be taught extra about rashes, learn Rashes Caused by Viruses or Noninfectious Skin Conditions.