Children start suffering from skin problems from the moment they are born. The first issue that most parents would encounter is a diaper rash. Once you are done with it, something else appears. So, you should have this information ready at your fingertips, that it’s the beginning. Parenthood is not easy.
Children also suffer from itchy scalp if you constantly make them wear a cap for protection. Additionally, they get affected by mosquito bites and insect bites, too. Some children also get pediatric acne in infancy. While a bump on the skin or rashes may not be very dangerous, a few others need immediate medical attention.
Find out what conditions can affect your little bundle of joy so that you can identify them early on and get the proper treatment.
Diaper Dermatitis
This commonly affects the area covered by the diaper in infants. Moreover, it is not an ailment in the true sense but a skin condition that rises due to constant moisture. However, you will come across four different categories of diaper dermatitis. They are irritant contact dermatitis, yeast, allergic contact dermatitis, and seborrheic dermatitis.
Irritant contact dermatitis is the most common one. It occurs due to continuous exposure to urine and excreta. You will often find slightly swollen and blister-like patches on the skin in the diaper area. It can also get severe if not controlled early on. The best way to get rid of this problem is to change the diapers often.
You can also use soft talc as suggested by the doctor in the affected areas. Yeast is another common infection, which takes the form of bright red bumps. Steroids containing Zinc Oxide are the best for such issues. Allergic contact dermatitis is not that common. We will discuss the last one as a separate category.
Tinea Versicolor
It is another skin ailment that is considered non-contagious. It shows up as flat patches of skin. You may notice these patches on the chest, back, or arms. They can manifest in pink patches, red patches, or brown ones. You will find such hyper-pigmented or hypo-pigmented spots on older children and adult skin, as well. It is often a sign of dirty skin and dandruff issues in older children and adults.
Some seniors have dark patches of discolored skin related to internal ailments. These patches often arise in folded areas like armpits. Doctors often recommend effective underarm whitening products in such cases. However, doctors will only recommend light topical steroids for infants and toddlers containing selenium sulfide. You should dress the children in loose clothing to allow the skin to breathe.
Seborrheic Dermatitis
It is not directly related to diaper dermatitis, but diaper dermatitis can occur due to this infection. You will often hear parents and pediatricians talking about cradle caps in infants. It mainly manifests itself as dandruff, and symptoms include a flaky scalp. The scalp may also appear yellow or red. It can also affect the shoulders, back, neck, or face. It might affect various skin folds, like the neck or groin area.
It is more common in areas that produce a lot of oil. You can treat such issues with anti-fungal creams. The doctors also suggest topical steroids. Sometimes, it disappears by the time the baby is one year old. Some pediatricians might recommend medicated shampoos containing ketoconazole and selenium. If it is mild and the child is not uncomfortable, you should not disturb the skin. There is a high probability that it will go away on its own.
Rashes From Heat or Insects
This is another widespread skin ailment that young children suffer from. Prickly heat is often a possibility, as the sweat glands in babies are not that developed yet. Moreover, hot and humid countries make it worse. The sweat remains trapped on the skin’s surface and leads to rashes. Small, red, and pin-like bumps appear on the skin in such cases. You should ensure not to swaddle the baby in layers and layers of clothing, as it can aggravate the situation.
Bug and mosquitoes also cause rashes in babies and children. The bites often lead to an itch. So, you will find the child scratching at the region and, in the process aggravating the situation. There may be a feeling of numbness as well. You can apply a calamine lotion made exclusively for babies and children. It tends to soothe the area and cool it. An excellent compression also helps ease the area and give the baby some respite.
These are a few of the most common skin disorders or issues that babies and children face. You have to be very vigilant as parents to identify the cause. If your baby or older children complain of continuous pain, itching, or developing a fever, you need to seek medical attention instantly.
