Skin Rashes in Children Topic Guide

An allergic reaction is an overreaction to a harmless substance. Symptoms and signs of an allergic reaction include hives, rashes, swelling, itching, wheezing, nausea, and even anaphylactic shock in severe reactions. Treatment involves avoiding triggers, taking oral antihistamines, applying anti-inflammatory steroid creams, and using an EpiPen.

Athlete's foot is a superficial skin infection of the foot caused by a mold-like fungus, though the term is often used for any inflammation of the foot skin. Symptoms include itching, sores between toes, scaly white skin, reddish soles of the feet, and painful lesions.

Chickenpox (varicella) is a highly contagious infection that typically affects children. Symptoms and signs include an itchy red blistering rash that forms first on the torso and then spreads to the extremities. Treatment may incorporate Tylenol or Advil for fever, IV fluids for dehydration, antibiotics for bacterial skin infections, calamine lotion, cool compresses and baths, and Benadryl, Claritin, or Zyrtec for itch relief.

Dermatitis is an inflammation of the skin. Contact dermatitis is a localized rash or irritation of the skin caused by contact with a foreign substance. Contact dermatitis treatment can include medications, such as corticosteroids and oral antihistamines, home remedies, and avoiding irritants.

Coxsackievirus infection is spread from person to person when an infected person does not cover their mouth when coughing or sneezing or touches someone with unwashed hands. Though most cases of coxsackievirus infection are mild, with symptoms including diarrhea and sore throat, the infection may also cause meningitis, encephalitis, chest pain, and myopericarditis. Infection in newborns may be deadly. There is no specific treatment for coxsackievirus, though acetaminophen and ibuprofen may be used to treat the symptoms.

Diaper rash appears on the skin under a diaper. Symptoms and signs include red, irritated skin on the baby's bottom or genital area. Treatment involves frequent diaper changes, cleaning the affected aread with a mild soap, and using a barrier cream.

Candida albicans is a common cause of diaper rash. Diaper rash is red, elevated, and fluid may be visible under the skin. The rash may be found in the creases of the skin. Treatment involves antifungal topical treatment and decreasing moisture in the diaper area.

What are causes, symptoms, and treatment (acetaminophen) of fever in children? Learn when to worry, when a high fever is an emergency, and how to take a rectal temperature.

Fifth disease (human parvovirus B19) is a common illness in children. Symptoms and signs include fever, sore throat, headache, and a rash as if the face has been slapped. Treatment is geared toward alleviating symptoms by drinking a lot of fluids, taking acetaminophen, and taking hygiene measures to avoid spreading the virus.

Heat rash (prickly heat, miliaria) is thought to be due to plugged hair follicles and sweat ducts on the skin. Overexposure to a hot environment, for example, working or exercising in a hot environment, are causes heat rash. There are three types of heat rash, clear, red, and deep.Signs and symptoms of heat rash include itching (prickly heat), red bumps, blisters, or large welts on the face, neck back, stomach, buttocks, groin, or the fold under the breasts. Home remedies for heat rash include first aid, cool baths or showers, and avoiding skin-to-skin contact. OTC and prescription medications may be necessary for treatment. People at risk for heat rash include infants, children younger than four years of age, and people with congenital decreased sweating, are overweight or obese, are bedridden and unable to walk, and the elderly.

When candida grows out of control it can cause infections. While yeast infections tend to refer to vaginal candidiasis, yeast infections can also occur on the skin and result in rashes. Treatment includes topical anti fungal ointments and improved hygiene.

Impetigo is a common baterial infection of the skin. The bacteria enter through a cut or other injury to the skin. Symptoms and signs include rash and/or pus-filled blisters. Treatments include oral and/or topical antibiotics.

Kawasaki disease is an illness that mainly affects children under 5 years of age. Symptoms and signs include rash, strawberry tongue and fever. Treatment involves administering IV immunoglobulin and high-dose aspirin until the fever ends, followed by low-dose aspirin for 6-8 weeks.

Lyme disease, sometimes referred to as Lyme infection, is a bacterial illness, transmitted to humans by the bite of deer ticks (Ixodes ticks) carrying a bacterium known as Borrelia burgdorferi. Symptoms and signs include a red bull's-eye rash and flu-like illness in the early stages of Lyme disease. Doctors will treat primary or early Lyme disease with oral antibiotics including doxycycline, penicillins, or erythromycin.

Measles, also known as rubeola, is a viral respiratory infection. Measles and German measles (a different but similar virus also known as rubella) are serious infections that cause fever and rash. Most recover without incident, but measles infections can lead to pneumonia and brain inflammation. Vaccines have reduced measles infections to a few dozen a year in the U.S., but no cure exists. Patients should treat symptoms with pain relievers, fever reducers, and fluids.

A rash is a visible skin outbreak. Examples of noninfectious rashes include eczema, psoriasis, contact dermatitis, seborrheic dermatitis, rosacea, hives, and allergic dermatitis. Types of infectious rashes include ringworm, impetigo, scabies, herpes, chickenpox, and shingles. Rashes may be caused by fungi, viruses, bacteria, and parasites. Treatment depends upon the type of rash.

Ringworm (or tinea corporis) is a common fungal infection resulting from dermatophytes. Symptoms and signs include lesions on the trunk, legs, arms, neck, and face. Read about the cause of ringworm, how to get rid of ringworm, and whether ringworm is contagious. Learn about treatments and home remedies for ringworm.

Scalp ringworm (tinea capitis) is a very common fungal infection among children throughout the world. Symptoms and signs include hair loss, reddening, crusting, and scaling of the scalp. Treatment typically involves oral antifungal medications and medicated shampoo.

Rocky Mountain spotted fever is a tick-borne disease. A bite from a tick infected by the Rickettsia rickettsi bacteria causes symptoms and signs that include nausea, vomiting, headache, muscle aches, fatigue, fever, rash, joint and abdominal pain, and diarrhea. Treatment with the antibiotic doxycycline is recommended in adults and children.

Roseola is a mild viral illness caused by the human herpesvirus. Symptoms and signs include a high fever, swollen glands, and a red rash. Treatment focuses on lessening the symptoms, such as controlling the fever.

Scabies is a skin condition that causes severe itching. Scabies lesions on the skin may look like pimples, and the skin may also be red. Treatment involves washing all clothing and bed linens, vacuuming rugs and furniture, and applying a prescription cream to kill the mites.

Scarlet fever is predominantly a disease that affects children. Scarlet fever is caused by infection with the bacteria Streptococcus pyogenes. Symptoms and signs include: fever, rash, sore throat and strawberry tongue. Antibiotics are used in the treatment of scarlet fever.

Anaphylactic shock is a severe allergic reaction that is life-threatening. The symptoms of anaphylactic shock are breathing problems, shock, or death. A severe allergic reaction may be caused by an insect sting or certain foods to which the body has been "sensitized" and has developed a powerful antigen for. Anaphylactic shock is an emergency and requires immediate medical treatment.

Toxic shock syndrome (TSS) is a rare, life-threatening illness that is caused by toxins (poisons) that circulate in the bloodstream. Symptoms and signs include fever, headache, sore throat, cough, nausea and vomiting, diarrhea, and abdominal pain. Treatment involves finding and removing the source of infection, IV antibiotics, IV fluids, correcting electrolytes, and monitoring kidney and liver functions.

Ringworm is a skin infection caused by dermatophytes, which are a type of fungus that lives on the dead outer layer of skin. Despite the name, there is no worm involved in the condition. It’s called “ringworm” because it can cause a circular rash shaped like a ring.

Roseola is a common childhood viral infection that causes symptoms and signs that include high fever, a pink or red rash, and red spots in the mouth. There is no treatment for roseola, and the infection eventually resolves on its own.

Candidiasis is by far the most common type of yeast infections in human skin. Candidiasis is infection with Candida species. More than 20 species of Candida exist. Signs and symptoms of a candidal infection can vary depending on the location of the infection. Most candidal infections can be treated at home with over-the-counter or prescription medication and can clear up within a week.