Children often develop skin rashes. The baby becomes covered with them when contact with an allergen causes a histamine release reaction in the body, which leads to unwanted skin manifestations.
Then parents have to look for the cause and contact their doctor, since only a specialist can distinguish rashes due to an allergic reaction from signs of an infectious disease, such as measles or rubella.
Let's tell you what it looks like allergic rash in a child, we will show a photo of its types with a description, and tell you what the treatment consists of.
What it looks like on the skin: types, localization
Any allergy is signal of immune system disorder. If the body's sensitivity is increased, negative reactions appear upon contact even with factors that are harmless to most people - animal fur, plant pollen, food, medicine, cold air.
A rash in children can be located on different parts of the body and manifest differently depending on the type of allergen:
- pustule - a small cavity with purulent contents inside;
- plaque - a flattened formation rising above the skin;
- papule - a protruding tubercle with a diameter of up to 5 mm without a cavity inside, which can be palpated;
- spot - a discolored area that does not protrude above the skin and cannot be felt during palpation;
- vesicle - a cavity with a diameter of up to 5 mm with liquid inside;
- bubble - a vesicle with a size of 5 mm.
Dr. Komarovsky will tell you about a child’s rash:
Food allergy rash In children, it most often appears on the cheeks, in the area around the mouth; contact dermatitis is in the place where the skin comes into contact with the allergen.
And hay fever (pollen allergy) can manifest itself not as individual rashes, but as general swelling and redness of the face.
Visual photographs
Allergic rash in children on the back:
In the arms of a child:
On the legs and body of a child, photo of allergies:
Childhood eczema
This type is characterized by the presence of an exudative component - from small blood vessels fluid is released that fills the rash.
In infants, it most often occurs in the form of exudative diathesis, one of the manifestations of which is itchy nodules that appear with a certain frequency.
May be accompanied peeling, diaper rash, compaction. The manifestations are identical to the rashes in adults, but in children the tendency to merge and exudative symptoms are more pronounced.
Hives
A skin disease, also called urticaria, refers to skin diseases that are based on an allergic reaction.
This type of dermatitis got its name because the rash resembles nettle burns. Flat, slightly raised, light pink to red-orange blisters appear quickly and are very itchy.
Occurs in acute or chronic forms. The duration of the acute variety ranges from several days to 1–2 weeks, and the chronic form can last for months or even years, sometimes manifesting itself, sometimes dying down.
The most common cause of occurrence is medications or any type of food.
You can learn about this from this article.
You will find reviews from parents about the use of the drug Glycine for children in the material.
Instructions for using Arbidol syrup for children are discussed in detail in the publication.
Cold allergy
This type of rash called cold urticaria. They appear in the form of red spots or nettle fever in response to cooling of the whole body or some part of it. The rash that appears is itchy and may be accompanied by swelling.
Multiple formations increase in size, merge with each other over time, turn pale when pressed, and cause a burning sensation and itching.
Atopic dermatitis
This is a chronic dermatitis of an allergic nature, which has a seasonal dependence. In winter there are usually exacerbations, and in summer it is time for remission.
The rash may be similar to or exudative (filled with fluid).
Usually located in the elbow, knee bends, armpits, on the face, neck, scalp under the hair, in the groin area, under the earlobes.
Sometimes keratinized papules appear on the elbows, lateral surfaces of the forearms, and shoulders.
How to distinguish it from other diseases
Due to the variety of types of allergic rashes, parents may miss the onset of a serious infectious disease.
One of the assessment criteria is body temperature, which appears extremely rarely with allergies: usually when a child scratches the rash, infection occurs.
But most often the baby’s health is normal; he may look slightly worried only because of the itching of the skin.
In order not to miss a serious problem, parents are advised to familiarize themselves with the main manifestations of childhood diseases accompanied by rashes and their difference from an allergic rash.
It appears first on the face and then spreads throughout the body. Accompanied high temperature and enlarged lymph nodes. May be mistaken for urticaria.
The main difference is that if nettle fever appears, it occurs immediately in a specific area. Lymph nodes do not react to its appearance, body temperature does not rise.
Also similar to urticaria, but accompanied by small rashes pink spots appearing in “wet” places - on the neck, in groin areas, armpits, under the knees, on the back.
For a non-specialist, it is most easily mistaken for an allergy. The main difference is that antiallergic drugs do not act on prickly heat.
Chicken pox makes itself known by an increase in temperature and lethargy of the child. The red rash appears only after a day and begins to quickly spread throughout the body, turning into blisters.
Leads to the appearance of red spots on the skin that itch at night; itching with allergic rashes occurs during the day.
With scabies, if you look closely, you can see white stripes left in upper layers skin mite.
Measles on the first day after infection causes fever, weakness, sore throat, dry cough, voice becomes hoarse, and headaches often occur.
The rash appears after 3-4 days on the stomach, face and neck, and from there it spreads throughout the body.
How to treat: basic principles and schemes
The main goal of therapy is to identify the allergen and eliminate it. As long as the child is exposed to the irritant that causes these spots, treatment will be ineffective.
Therapy begins with a visit to the doctor. Self-diagnosis is not allowed - if the rash is due to an infectious disease and not an allergy, you can waste time and lead to complications.
The doctor identifies the nature of the rash and prescribe measures to identify the allergen. In mild cases, it is enough to eliminate the factor causing irritation, and the baby’s skin becomes clear.
Additionally prescribed:
Dr. Komarovsky will tell you about allergy medications:
If necessary drug treatment are used antihistamines, considered first line of therapy.
IN difficult cases must be supplemented with anti-inflammatory drugs and immunosuppressants - the last line. They are used in difficult cases due to potentially severe side effects.
What not to do with this disease
Self-medication is the first thing to forget about and for allergic rashes, and for any illness.
You should also not try to determine the allergen experimentally. During this time, the problem may worsen and become chronic form. The disease cannot be neglected - the later treatment is started, the more difficult and lengthy it will be.
For any rash, you should not:
- lubricate them with products that stain the skin and interfere with diagnosis;
- comb;
- open and squeeze out pustules.
It is possible that the rash that appears will go away quickly and without treatment, but we must not forget that it can be a symptom of an infectious disease that threatens not only health, but also life, so a trip to the doctor cannot be postponed.
When rashes appear on the child’s body, parents should not try to replace all domestic medicine. You need to first ask the baby about his health, then take your temperature and if it is not elevated, go to the doctor, and if it is increased, call a doctor at home.
Before talking with him, remember what new food appeared in the diet and whether there were contacts with new plants and animals.
An allergic rash causes significant inconvenience, and without adequate treatment and preventive measures may develop into a chronic disease.
You have read the basic information for parents: what to do if a child has allergies and rashes all over the body, how to treat it - smear the skin and what to give orally, and what to do if allergic spots do not go away for a long time.
In contact with
A rash in a child can appear for various reasons - it can be caused by something as simple as food allergy, and a severe infectious disease. How to determine: when you can treat a skin rash on your own, and when your child urgently needs medical help?
It is difficult to find at least one adult in the world who never had a rash on their body as a child. Fortunately, in the vast majority of cases, this rash is only a “response” to the appearance of a new product in the baby’s diet...
Causes of rashes in children
The rash itself in a child (whether on the face, stomach, or any other part of the body) is a local change in the normal condition of the skin. The rash may be different types- just a red spot (and not only red, by the way, but almost any shade from pale pink to bright brown), a bubble, a lump, and even in the form of a hemorrhage or bruise.
A skin rash is never separate disease and is never the cause of any disease. A rash on the body of a child (as well as an adult) is always a symptom, a consequence of certain circumstances: for example, the baby ate “something wrong,” rubbed his skin with the “wrong” clothes, was bitten by mosquitoes, or contracted an infection.
Based on the frequency of causes of rashes on children's skin, several of the most common can be identified:
- Insect bites (the most common and “worst” culprits of childhood rash are mosquitoes);
- Infection (for example: rubella, and even such a dangerous one as meningitis);
- Bleeding disorders, one of the most common in this category is hemophilia (in which case the rash usually appears as small bruises);
- Mechanical damage (most often tissue friction);
- The so-called sun allergy (a more correct name is photodermatitis);
The vast majority of cases of rash in a child are associated either with allergic reactions or with mild forms (not life-threatening) of various infections. In third place are mosquito bites.
It is interesting that not every rash on a child’s body is accompanied by itching - there are also ones that do not itch at all. As a rule, the most severe itching is caused by allergic rashes and rashes from insect bites.
In addition, some infections can cause itchy rashes, shining example that's chickenpox. But almost always such a rash does not itch at all at first (the first 1-2 days), but begins to itch very much later (because sweat acts as an irritant on the elements of the rash).
Allergic rash on the child's body
A rash in a child, which appears as an allergic reaction, is mainly of two types:
- Food (the child ate some food, and within 24 hours a rash appeared on his face, or on his stomach, or on his arms and legs);
- Contact (the baby was dressed in clothes made from the wrong fabric, or these clothes were washed with too “aggressive” powder; the water in the pool where you swam had chlorine, etc.).
In the case of manifestations of an allergic rash in a child, it is mothers and fathers (and sometimes even nannies) who are the best experts, because they are the ones who have the opportunity to vigilantly observe and analyze: in response to what exactly the reaction occurred, how much the child was “sprinkled”, where exactly areas of the rash appeared, how long it does not go away, etc. Having analyzed these circumstances and made correct conclusions, parents can themselves and quite easily rid their child of a rash - they just need to eliminate the allergen from his life (remove foods from the diet, change washing powder, etc.)
Infectious rash in a child: what to do
Often the appearance of a rash on a child’s body indicates that the baby has been “struck” by one or another infection. Most often, these are viral infections (like chickenpox, rubella or measles) that do not require any special complex treatment and after some time (but with medical supervision!) they go away on their own. The disease passes and the rash disappears.
At bacterial infections(for example,) antibacterial treatment is usually carried out.
It also happens in children fungal infections which are accompanied by a rash. For example - . Only in this case, the rash does not affect the skin, but the mucous membrane of the oral cavity.
One way or another, if you have reason to believe that your child’s rash appears due to an infection, you should consult a doctor.
If a skin rash is one of the symptoms of any infection, then there will certainly be other signs: increased body temperature, loss of appetite, general weakness, etc. In this case, the child must be immediately shown to a doctor to determine exactly what kind of infection “ attacked” the baby and, in accordance with the diagnosis, select an adequate treatment plan.
In addition, one of the most compelling reasons to suspect the infectious nature of the appearance of a rash is the child’s probable contact with an infectious patient. For example, if you know that someone in kindergarten or school was diagnosed with or - you can safely assume that your child also “caught” it along the chain...
What you can do before the doctor arrives:
- create a humid and cool climate in the room (while dressing the child adequately);
- do not feed, but give plenty of water;
- give an antipyretic (if the temperature exceeds the threshold of 38 ° C).
In all other circumstances of the appearance of a rash on the child’s body (when you know for sure that the baby has no signs of infection), you can treat the skin yourself - at least until some other symptoms appear. alarming symptoms(the temperature suddenly rose, behavioral disturbances appeared - for example, the child became capricious, lethargic, drowsy, his speech was impaired, etc.).
A dangerous disease, the symptom of which is often a rash
We have already mentioned that if a child, along with a rash, also has some other symptoms - high fever, behavioral disturbances, and others - then the baby must be shown to a doctor. Since the chances are high that in this case the rash is one of the signs of an infectious infection.
But there is an infectious disease, which is also expressed, among other symptoms, by a rash on the body, but in which you need to rush with your child to the doctor not just quickly, but with lightning speed! This disease is called meningococcal meningitis - very dangerous option severe neuroinfection.
This disease is caused by a microbe that is terrible in all respects - meningococcus. It gets into the child's throat, then enters the bloodstream and travels through the bloodstream to the brain, causing meningitis. It is important to remember here that this infection is not fatal and can be treated - but only if you quickly get to the doctor, he correctly diagnoses and promptly prescribes antibacterial treatment.
Before the advent of antibiotics in human history, 100% of children infected with meningococcal meningitis died. Nowadays, the vast majority of infected children who pass on time antibacterial therapy, recovers without consequences. But it is extremely important to organize an examination of the child by a qualified physician as soon as possible and begin treatment.
Often when meningococcal meningitis a specific blood infection occurs - this is what manifests itself as a rash on the child’s body in the form of numerous hemorrhages.
So, if you notice a rash on your child’s skin in the form of small hemorrhages (outwardly they look like varicose “stars”) or any kind of rash on the skin, but accompanied by a sharp increase in temperature and vomiting, immediately run with your child to the doctor!
It is advisable to immediately see an infectious disease specialist. The listed symptoms are direct reading to emergency child care. Moreover, the count is not by hours, but by minutes!
By the way, with meningococcal meningitis, the rash is never accompanied by itching.
How to reduce itching and rashes on a child’s body
The first step is to take measures to eliminate the causes of the rash itself. After all, itching does not occur on its own, but precisely against the background of rashes. If the skin rash is allergic, it is necessary to identify the allergen and “separate” it from the child. If it is a rash from insect bites, finally install a fumigator or something similar that will prevent bites.
In addition, the cause of the itching itself may be a specific disease (for example, scabies, the causative agent of which is a microscopic mite); in this situation, any attempts to relieve the itching will not give any result until active treatment of the disease itself begins.
The second step in reducing the itching of a rash is to try to eliminate the various irritants that affect the rash and thereby provoke the itching. For example - fabric. Dress your child in loose, light, cotton clothes - he will itch much less.
But the most “violent” irritant that causes severe itching during skin rashes is sweat. The more the child sweats, the more itchy the skin on which the rash appears. Moreover, on sensitive skin, even sweat itself (for no other reason) can cause a short-term rash - usually called a "sweat rash" by parents. Accordingly, any prevention of reducing sweating will lead to a reduction in rash and itching. To do this you can:
- bathe the child twice a day (and the water should be no more than 34 ° C);
- maintain a cool climate in the room (in general, make sure that the child does not overheat);
In addition, there are various medications (most often of local action) that successfully relieve itching and reduce the appearance of the rash. However, it is highly desirable that such a remedy (most often an ointment or gel) be selected for your child by a doctor, and not by a pharmacist, a neighbor next door or an elderly relative.
Let us remind you that in the vast majority of cases, a rash in a child is not a dangerous and relatively quickly passing symptom. There are only two situations (they happen relatively rarely in life) when a child with a rash needs to be taken to the hospital at lightning speed. medical institution or call emergency help:
- the rash manifested itself in the form of hemorrhages (which look like varicose veins);
- the rash is accompanied by vomiting and/or high fever.
However, most often a rash in a child appears only as an allergic reaction to one of the products or medications, or “unwanted” contacts (with hard fabric, with the remnants of some cleaning substance, with mosquitoes, etc.). Coping with such manifestations of a rash does not present any difficulty for parents; it is enough to simply exclude the allergen from the child’s life.
But if you are in doubt about what exactly causes the rash to appear on your child’s body, or whether the rash is accompanied by any other symptoms that worry you, do not hesitate to consult a doctor. He will be able to establish the exact reasons and give specific recommendations - what to do with the child, what to do with the rash, and how to behave so that these “two” never “meet” again.
If you don’t know the difference between infectious skin diseases and allergic rashes in children, photos of these pathologies will help you distinguish one from the other.
In this article we will talk in detail about allergic rashes, their characteristic signs and methods of treatment.
For what reason does an allergic rash appear on a child's skin?
Skin rashes often appear in children from birth to 7 years of age. This is largely due to the fact that during this period the immune system babies are still being formed.
Disturbances in its work are often accompanied by swelling, hyperemia (redness skin) and/or rash.
Most often, an allergic rash appears due to:
- medications (the child’s body may react negatively to individual components included in the medications);
- breastfeeding if the mother does not follow a diet (for example, she is fond of chocolate, citrus fruits, honey, strawberries);
- household chemicals (washing powder, baby soap or baby cream, dishwashing liquid);
- allergic dermatoses (plants or animals, prickly or poisonous);
- natural factors (for example, prolonged exposure to the sun);
- infections (non-cellular infectious agents).
The rash may appear only on the face or spread throughout the body.
What does a child's skin allergy look like?
Allergic reactions in babies can vary. Depending on what caused it, you have to deal with a food allergy or a viral one.
In many cases, exanthemas appear on the child’s body (this is the name given to various manifestations of allergic rashes):
- pustules (filled with pus);
- plaques;
- spots;
- vesicles (filled with liquid);
- blisters (large vesicles larger than 0.5 cm).
With food allergies in children, the rash can be found primarily on the cheeks and near the mouth. If the allergy is contact, then the rash will appear in the place where the allergen touched.
If the baby's immune system has reacted negatively to plant pollen, then instead of acne there may be hyperemia (redness) and swelling of the face.
A photo, better than any words, will allow parents to understand what an allergy looks like and what they may encounter. We will bring short description some types of allergic rashes that appear in children under one year of age and older.
| Type of rash | a brief description of | Cause |
| Allergic dermatitis | A small red rash spreads throughout the body. In these places, the skin becomes dry, peeling, cracks, and ulcers may occur. | Weak immunity or contact with an irritant. |
| Hives | Outwardly, it resembles blisters that appear after contact with the prickly plant of the same name. The rash “wanders” throughout the body, appearing on the hands, then on the face, then on the bends of the arms and legs. It may be accompanied by itching, but there is no relief after scratching. | The reaction of the child’s body to certain foods (chocolate, honey, eggs, citrus fruits). |
| Neurodermatitis | Externally it resembles psoriasis. Characteristic signs are severe peeling. May become chronic. | Food allergies, weak immunity. |
| Eczema | Small red ulcers or small pimples. It is a chronic form, so it can disappear and then reappear. Appears first on the face, then on the arms and legs. | Infectious diseases, household chemicals, dermatitis. |
Allergies to foods (sweets, citrus fruits), medications and antibiotics manifest themselves in different ways. The following table will help you figure out what is what:
| Allergen | Nature of the rash |
| Sweets (chocolate (peanuts, sugar, milk powder) and honey) | Pimples, hives, and small rashes around the mouth appear. With sugar intolerance, a small patient develops spots that itch very much. If you are intolerant to honey, you may experience swelling, thirst, difficulty breathing, red spots on the face. |
| Medicines | Red spots resembling a mosquito bite appear at the injection sites or on the arms, legs, stomach and back of the baby (if the medicine was instilled into the child’s mouth). Sometimes they swell and begin to itch very much. If spots and pimples appear on the feet and palms, then this is an infection and will require other treatment. |
| Antibiotics | A child's reaction to antibiotics appears immediately after taking the drug. An allergic rash in the form of red spots covers the baby's face and body. These spots do not itch, unlike contact dermatitis. Sometimes there is a temperature (appears for no apparent reason). Instead of stains, bubbles with liquid inside may appear. |
How to diagnose allergies?
An allergic rash in children is often confused with an infectious one. If the treatment is incorrect, then the consequences of such a therapeutic course will not be the best.
Before you pick effective remedy, you need to learn to distinguish one disease from another. Accurate diagnosis Only a doctor can diagnose it, since a visual examination is not always enough to determine the cause of the disease; tests are required.
The differences between an allergic rash in children and an infectious disease are presented in the table:
| Features | Allergic rash | Infection |
| General form | Can be in the form like small dots, and large blisters. In addition to them, there are often crusts, erosions and serous wells (ulcers from which fluid oozes). | The rashes are pinpoint and do not “merge” into a large spot. |
| Place of appearance | Face (forehead, cheeks, chin). Neck, arms, legs, buttocks. Rarely – stomach, back. | Belly, back. Rarely – arms, legs. Very rarely - forehead. |
| Heat | The temperature is rare, and if it rises, it is not higher than 37-38°C. | The disease is accompanied by fever, from 37°C to 41°C. |
| Itching | Happens. | Happens. |
| Swelling | Well visible. In some situations it is life-threatening. | They happen very rarely. |
| Associated symptoms | Lacrimation, conjunctivitis, hyperemia of the mucous membrane of the eye, decreased blood pressure, cough, upset stomach. | Running nose, general loss of strength, body aches. |
| How quickly it goes | Often the rash goes away immediately after taking the medicine. | Remains until the course of treatment is completed. |
What medications are used to treat allergic rashes?
If children develop an allergic rash on their skin, it is strictly forbidden to squeeze pimples or open blisters. It is necessary to explain to the child that it is also forbidden to scratch the sores.
If he is still too small, make sure that he does not touch the wounds with dirty hands. He can get an infection, and this will only worsen his condition.
Treatment of rashes in children is selected depending on the type of disease. Parents who do not know how to treat allergic rashes in children should not select medications on their own.
| Allergic rash | Medications | Non-drug treatment |
| Allergic dermatitis | To relieve symptoms, Suprastin or Erius are prescribed. | Eliminate contact with the irritant. Bath the child in water with the addition of chamomile or sage infusions. Physiotherapy, rest and positive emotions will also help the baby. |
| Hives | Children are prescribed antiallergic drugs: Suprastin, Tavegil. | |
| Neurodermatitis | The doctor recommends:
|
|
| Eczema | They help a lot:
|
How quickly does an allergic rash go away in children?
There is no clear answer to the question of how long it will take to fight allergic rashes in children. Much depends on the type and nature of the disease.
For example, a food allergy if it appears in a baby or one year old baby, passes within one week. It is enough to simply remove the allergenic product from the diet of a nursing mother.
Those children who develop hives or allergic dermatitis. It is more difficult to fight eczema and neurodermatitis.
These diseases last for 14 days and often become chronic. This means that an allergic reaction may occur more than once.
Treatment should begin at the first appearance of a small, pale rash. If you don’t pay attention to it in the hope that “everything will go away on its own,” then the therapeutic course may drag on for a long time and turn out to be ineffective.
What is done to prevent allergic rashes in children?
Preventive measures will prevent the child from developing an allergic rash. Doctors give the following recommendations:
- Make sure that the baby does not come into contact with the allergen (remove from his diet allergenic products; If necessary, change baby powder, soap or dishwashing liquid.
- Maintain order in his room, regularly do wet cleaning.
- If there are pets in the house, keep them clean.
- Strengthen the baby’s immunity (walk more often, play sports).
- Do not violate your doctor’s recommendations for taking medications.
Conclusion
An allergic rash in children under one year old and in older age appears for various reasons. Often food, medicines, and household chemicals become allergens.
Allergies can be of different types and look different. It is easy to confuse it with an infectious disease. It is important to make a correct diagnosis and quickly select effective treatment.
At the first suspicion of allergic manifestations you need to show the child to the doctor. Self-medication may be ineffective: there is a high risk of harming the baby rather than helping.
Video
Usually, a rash on a child’s body causes a lot of concern among parents. Really, common symptom various infections, causing a lot of discomfort. However timely treatment skin rashes allows you to quickly forget about itching and burning.
A rash in a child can appear not only on the entire body, but also affect only one area. The number of acceptable diagnoses is reduced and recovery occurs faster
On the head
The rash bothers babies in different parts of the body.
- On the back of the head, small pink dots most often indicate overheating and the development of prickly heat.
- Abundant bubbles and blisters on the back of the head or cheeks indicate infection with scabies.
- Inflammations in the cheeks and beard indicate allergies to food or medications.
- If a child has a rash on his eyelids, it means that the child has been given inappropriate hygiene products. If the rashes on the eyelids look like scales or become crusty, dermatitis is likely to develop.
Around the neck
On the hands and wrists
In the abdominal area
A rash on the abdomen in the form of red blisters occurs in newborns from toxic erythema, which goes away on its own. The abdominal area and hip area most often suffer from pemphigus. The disease begins with slight redness, blisters appear and begin to burst. Similar symptoms are typical for exfoliating dermatitis.
When the bacterial microflora is disturbed in the abdominal area, erysipelas appears. Don’t forget about acceptable minor rashes from allergies, prickly heat and infections such as chickenpox or scabies.
On the lower back
On the inner and outer thighs
Rashes on a child’s thighs usually appear due to poor hygiene. Often the baby simply sweats in his diapers and suffers from poor-quality clothing. The result is prickly heat. Allergic reactions often provoke inflammation on the inner thigh.
A rash on the thighs indicates the presence of measles, rubella, chickenpox or scarlet fever. In rare cases, rashes indicate diseases of the circulatory system.
In the groin area
A groin rash is the result of infrequent diaper changes or skin contact with dirty diapers. Red diaper rash appears on the skin, and bacteria multiply in it. Miliaria in the groin area in the form of pink spots often appears in a baby as a result of overheating in the sun. Sometimes the source of the rash is candidiasis. Finally, the baby may develop an allergy to diapers.
On the buttocks
The rash on the butt has a nature similar to the causes of groin irritation. Rarely changing diapers and violating hygiene rules lead to inflammatory process. The butt area can suffer from allergies to food or diapers, prickly heat and diathesis.
On the legs, knees and heels and can itch
A small rash on the legs usually appears as a result of dermatitis or allergies. If it itches and resembles mosquito bites, most likely the baby actually suffered from insects.
The cause of a rash on the legs can be an infection or injury to the skin. If your child has itchy heels, the rash is most likely caused by a fungus. An allergic reaction on the heels manifests itself in the form of flaky spots, itching and causing swelling feet. On knee joints the rash can appear with eczema, lichen and psoriasis.
On all parts of the body
Inflammation of the skin throughout the body often indicates infection. If a child is covered with a small rash and it itches, the reason is probably an allergic reaction (see: allergic rash) of the body to a strong irritant. If there is no itching from the rash, these causes can be excluded. Most likely there is a problem with metabolism or performance internal organs.
When the rash all over the body is also colorless, most likely the baby is working too hard sebaceous glands. Vitamin deficiency and hormonal imbalances in children's body capable of making themselves felt through rashes without color.
Nature of the rash
If you look closely at your baby's rash, you will notice features. Color, shape and structure.
Like nettle
A rash that resembles nettle spots indicates a special type of allergy - urticaria. Pink blisters on the skin are very itchy and accompanied by an increase in body temperature. The most common cause of urticaria is hot water, stress, strong physical exercise. The rash resembles small blisters on the chest or neck.
Like a mosquito bite
If the rash resembles a mosquito bite, the baby has an allergy to poor nutrition. In newborns this reaction often indicates irregularities in the menu of a nursing mother. Mosquito bites- talk about the effect of any blood-sucking insects on the skin, for example, ticks or fleas.
In the form of spots
A patchy rash is a very common form of skin inflammation. Most often, the reason lies in a disease of the integument itself or in the presence of an infection. The size of the spots and their color play a big role. Rashes similar to spots appear with lichen, allergies, dermatitis and eczema.
Rough to the touch
The rough rash is most often caused by eczema. At the same time they suffer back sides palms and face. Rough rashes that resemble sandpaper are sometimes caused by keratosis, a form of allergy. Small pimples this affects the back and lateral areas of the hands, but sometimes inflammation occurs inside hips
In the form of bubbles and blisters
A rash in the form of blisters appears on the baby’s body as a result of urticaria (see: urticaria in children), miliaria, pemphigus. Among the infectious diseases, rashes with blisters are caused by rubella and chickenpox.
To match your skin color
Flesh-colored growths on the skin are called papules. Rash of this color indicates eczema, psoriasis or contact dermatitis. Sometimes a colorless rash is caused by hormonal changes in the child's body.
Redness due to infections
The signs accompanying the rash often indicate the development of a serious illness in the baby.
For sore throat
Often, observing the baby primary signs tonsillitis (fever and cough), after a certain time his parents notice a rash on his body. Here, the development of an infectious disease against the background of weakened immunity is likely. Sometimes redness appears due to tonsillitis. Do not forget that in the process of treating a sore throat, a child often develops an allergy to antibiotics.
For ARVI
The appearance of a rash in combination with usual symptoms ARVI has similar causes. The child may have an intolerance to the components of the drugs or an allergy to folk remedies. Most often, redness occurs after a course of antibiotics for ARVI.
From chickenpox
From chickenpox Babies develop itchy spots that almost immediately become large blisters. The rash occurs on the palms, face, torso and even in the mouth. The disease is accompanied by high fever and headaches. When the bubbles burst, the baby's skin becomes crusty.
The answer to the question of how long it takes for the rash to completely go away depends on the timeliness of treatment. Usually 3-5 days are enough.
When measles develops
In the case of measles, the baby usually suffers from fever and large red spots that almost merge with each other. The rash from measles appears first on the head, and then spreads to the torso and limbs. The first signs of measles resemble a common cold. This is a strong dry cough, sneezing and tears. Then the temperature rises. How many days does it take for the rashes to go away? As a rule, the skin recovers on the third day.
From infection with scarlet fever
Scarlet fever signals itself by the appearance of small dots on the 2nd day of illness. There is especially a lot of small rash in the elbow and knee bends, on the palms, and in the folds of the skin. The speed of treatment usually does not affect how many days the redness disappears. The rash disappears on its own after 1-2 weeks.
For meningitis
A bright red or purple rash appears on the body of children with meningococcal infection. The disease affects the blood vessels of the skin, causing inflammation on the skin different shapes. With meningitis, there are rashes on the mucous membranes, on the legs and arms, and on the sides of the body.
When to call a doctor
- The child develops a fever and the temperature rises to 40 degrees.
- A rash appears all over the body and unbearable itching occurs.
- Begin headache, vomiting and confusion in the baby.
- The rash looks like star-shaped hemorrhages.
- Swelling and difficulty breathing appear.
What absolutely should not be done
- Squeeze out pustules yourself.
- Rip off or pop bubbles.
- Scratch the rash.
- Apply brightly colored preparations to the skin (this will make it difficult to make a diagnosis).
In general, a rash is a symptom of many diseases. Sometimes it leads to serious problems, and sometimes it goes away on its own. In any case, it would be a good idea to consult a doctor.
Prevention
- Timely vaccinations can protect a child from infections (But remember, vaccinations are not always beneficial, everything is individual!). There are now vaccinations against meningitis and rashes caused by it. Ask your doctor for more details.
- Proper introduction of complementary foods can protect a small child from allergic reactions. It is recommended to accustom your child to healthy image life and proper nutrition. This will not only prevent many diseases and strengthen the immune system, but also reduce the risk of allergic rashes.
- If you suspect that your baby has contracted an infection, immediately limit his contact with a potential source of infection.
Let's sum it up
- Its localization plays a big role in determining the cause of the rash. The areas of the body that come into most contact with clothing or diapers usually suffer from dermatitis and heat rash. The baby's face often becomes covered with an allergy rash. A rash all over the body indicates the development of an infection or a metabolic disorder in the body.
- Pay attention to the shape of the rash and its color. Fine point speaks of allergic reactions, A large spots- about infections. A colorless rash is not contagious, but a rough one indicates problems in the child’s body.
- Follow general condition baby, because other symptoms allow you to accurately determine the factor reddening skin. However, keep in mind that these diseases, like acute respiratory viral infections and tonsillitis, very rarely cause a rash on their own. It is worth observing the child's daily routine, because the rash often appears after visiting the pool and similar public places.
- If a child's rash is accompanied by coughing, vomiting and high fever, we are talking about an infectious disease. At the same time, the whole body becomes covered with spots and itches. With proper treatment, rashes in children disappear after 3-5 days. Sometimes a rash and vomiting are signs of dysbiosis.
- If a rash becomes a cause of concern in a newborn baby, the range of its causes is small. Often, pimples without pus appear on the neck and face of children 2 weeks after birth, disappearing on their own. In children under one year of age, small rashes are most often caused by heat rash due to wearing diapers or tight clothing. Red and pink rashes small child associated with allergies to new foods.
- When a rash appears after sun exposure, the baby is said to have photodermatosis. Sun allergies are accompanied by itching, redness of the skin and boils. The rash is usually rough on the limbs, face and chest. Crusts, scales, and bubbles form.
- Allergic reactions in a child’s body can manifest themselves to a variety of irritants. Often, after visiting the pool, a rash appears on the body of children due to the abundance of chlorine in the water. It has already been said that rashes can form even after a course of antibiotics for a sore throat. If we are talking about the treatment of serious diseases such as leukemia, allergies appear within a month.
- A small, bright rash in children under the third year of life can appear when new teeth erupt. Here, the rashes are accompanied by a slight fever and weakened immunity due to the appearance of teeth. Most often, teething rashes are located on the neck.
- If the rash in babies is not constant (appears and disappears), most likely there is contact with an irritant, causing allergies or dermatitis, is carried out periodically. In addition, the rash disappears and appears again with the development of infectious diseases (measles and scarlet fever), urticaria.
- For prevention severe rash For a child, do not try to introduce new foods into his diet too quickly. If your baby shows signs of allergies after swimming in the pool, choose another establishment where the water is not treated with chlorine.
The rash on the child's body has internal reasons and is one of the first signs of the disease. Only a doctor can determine the exact cause and prescribe adequate treatment. However, parents need to know the main types of rashes and be able to determine their nature in order to provide first aid to the child and provide the doctor with the necessary information to quickly make the correct diagnosis.
What does it look like
The appearance of pathological elements of different shapes, colors, sizes and textures on the skin is called a rash. It is often accompanied by other symptoms that can help determine the disease that caused the rash. Causes of rashes include: dysfunction of internal organs, infections and allergies. The rash is often accompanied by itching and fever. Among the secondary elements that accompany the rash are crusts, peeling, scars, cracks, ulcers and erosions, increased skin pattern, pigmentation disorders, and skin atrophy.
1. Infections
If the cause of the rash is an infection, viral or bacterial, the child has a fever, chills, a sore throat, a runny nose and a cough. Possible diarrhea, nausea and vomiting, abdominal pain. The rash appears immediately or within 2-3 days.
In the case of a viral infection, the child’s condition is alleviated by antipyretics and soothing external ointments and creams. For bacterial rashes, antibiotics are prescribed. The main symptoms of infectious diseases accompanied by a rash are presented in Table 1.
Table 1.
| Disease, cause | Incubation (hidden) period | Symptoms, nature of rashes |
| Erythema infectiosum, caused by parvovirus B19, is transmitted by airborne droplets, and contact transmission is also possible. Most often the disease occurs between the ages of 2 and 12 years. | 4 -14 days, the patient is contagious until the rash appears. |
Low fever, headache and mild cough and runny nose, sometimes arthritis. First, a rash is observed on the cheeks in the form of small, slightly protruding bright red dots, which, increasing in size, merge into shiny symmetrical spots. Then, slightly swollen red patches of rash, sometimes with a bluish tint, spread throughout the body. Then the center of the spots becomes lighter. The rash most often appears on the extensor surfaces. The spots fade away gradually, over 1 - 3 weeks. |
| Sudden exanthema (roseola), caused by herpes virus type 6 (HHV-6), most often between the ages of 10 months and 2 years, usually transmitted from adults by airborne droplets. |
5 -15 days. | Malaise, runny nose, redness of the throat, slight swelling of the eyelids, enlarged lymph nodes, cervical and back ears are possible. The temperature rises sharply to 38 - 40.5 degrees, after 3 days the temperature drops, and a small rash appears on the body in the form of pink spots, sometimes slightly rising above the surface (lasting from several hours to three days). Characterized by irritability, lethargy and lack of appetite. |
| Varicella (chickenpox), is caused by the varicella zoster virus, similar in structure to the herpes virus. Transmitted by air or contact, most often before the age of 15 years. | 10-21 days, the patient is contagious until 10 days. | Malaise occurs 1 - 2 days before the appearance of the rash, in the form of a headache, sometimes mild abdominal pain, and a gradual increase in temperature to 38 degrees. A rash accompanied by itching appears on the head, face, and torso. Within a few hours, red spots turn into papules, and then into bubbles with clear liquid (vesicles). The next day, the liquid becomes cloudy, a depression appears in the center of the bubble, and the bubble itself becomes crusty. A characteristic feature of chickenpox is the appearance of new elements (rashes), so that at the same time one can observe different stages of development of the rash: spots - compactions (papules) - bubbles (vesicles) - crusts. After the rash disappears, spots may remain and disappear within a week. Scratching the itchy rash can cause infection and leave scars on the skin. In the majority of those who have recovered from the disease, the chickenpox virus becomes hidden form, strengthening in nerve cells. |
| Meningococcal infection, caused by meningococcus (bacterium), transmitted by air, settling in the nasal cavity and becoming more active when the quality of life decreases or viral infections. | 2 - 10 days. The period of infection is up to 14 days from the onset of the disease. | The disease is very dangerous - less than a day can pass from the appearance of the rash to death if meningococcus enters the blood or cerebrospinal fluid. Once in the blood, meningococcus can cause blood poisoning (sepsis) and/or meningitis. With sepsis, the temperature rises to 41 degrees and vomiting begins. On the first day, patients complain of headache, impaired consciousness, photophobia, and tension in the back of the head. Against the background of pale grayish skin, a rash appears (small bruises that grow and take on a star-shaped shape); it can rise above the level of the skin, often ulcerates and forms scars. With isolated meningitis there is no rash. |
| Measles, is caused by an RNA virus from the Paramyxoviridae family of the Morbilivirus genus. |
9 - 21 days. The patient is contagious until the 5th day from the appearance of the rash, i.e., approximately by the 9th day of the disease. | General malaise lasts 3 to 5 days, with fever up to 40 degrees, dry cough, runny nose, conjunctivitis, scleritis, blepharitis, lacrimation. On the inner mucous membrane of the cheeks, on the 2nd day, whitish-gray dots with a red rim appear, disappear within 12 - 18 hours (Belsky-Filatov-Koplik spots), leaving looseness of the mucous membrane. In parallel with the rise in temperature, bright, dense spots appear behind the ears and along the hairline. The rash is characterized by stages: on the 1st day the rash covers the face, on the 2nd day it covers the torso, on the 3rd day it covers the limbs, and the face turns pale. The rash is accompanied by mild itching, and sometimes small bruises appear. After the spots disappear, peeling and brownish marks may be observed for 7 to 10 days. |
| Scarlet fever, is caused by group A streptococci. It is transmitted by airborne droplets and contact not only from patients with scarlet fever, but also from patients with any disease caused by these bacteria (for example, tonsillitis). |
2 - 7 days The patient is contagious until the 10th day of illness. | The illness begins with a rise in temperature, acute pain in the throat. The pharynx is bright red, the tonsils are enlarged more than with ordinary sore throat. On the 1st - 2nd day of illness, a bright red color appears. pinpoint rash, not affecting the nasolabial triangle, while the patient’s cheeks glow and eyes shine. The rash is more intense in the folds of the body. especially in the armpits, elbow fossae, and groin. May be accompanied by itching. The skin is red and hot, slightly swollen. After 3-7 days, the rash disappears, leaving behind severe peeling (ends after 2-3 weeks). |
| Infectious mononucleosis, is caused by the Epstein-Barr virus (from a large group of herpes viruses), most often in children and young people, with close contact. Often goes away without rash or other characteristic symptoms. The degree of infectiousness of patients is low. | The disease occurs with high fever and enlargement of the lymph nodes, especially the posterior cervical, liver and spleen. From the 3rd day of illness, a rise in temperature, inflammation of the pharyngeal and palatine tonsils with a white coating are possible. On days 5-6, a transient rash may occur, especially if the patient has been prescribed ampicillin. | |
| , is caused by a virus from the togavirus group (family Togaviridae, genus Rubivirus), most often between 5 and 15 years of age. Transmitted by contact and airborne droplets. | 11 - 21 days. The patient is contagious until the 5th day of illness. | Mild malaise with low temperature often goes unnoticed. The occipital and posterior cervical areas are greatly enlarged The lymph nodes. After 1 - 2 days, pale pink small spots (disappear when pressing on the skin or stretching it) appear on the face, quickly spread to the legs within a day and usually disappear after 3 days, leaving no traces. The rash may be accompanied by mild itching and is located on normal, non-hyperemic skin. A common manifestation of rubella is a moderately severe dry cough, sore and dry throat, and headache. Small red elements (Forchheimer spots) are sometimes visible on the soft palate. Often the disease occurs without a rash at all. Rubella is dangerous for expectant mothers, especially in the first trimester of pregnancy, as it causes congenital malformations of the fetus. |
2. Allergies
An allergic rash can be caused by food (chocolate, milk, eggs, citrus fruits, etc.), household chemicals, medications, animal fur, even after touching nettles or jellyfish, or after a mosquito bite. The rashes all over the body are clearly visible and prominent. Accompanied by a runny nose, lacrimation and severe itching. You should avoid contact with the source of its occurrence, and take antihistamines and other medications prescribed by your doctor. Allergic rashes differ from infectious diseases in their rapid manifestation and good general well-being of the child.
Quincke's edema. May occur as a severe reaction of the body to an allergen, most often to medicines or food, but may also be due to insect bites, contact with jellyfish or nettles. The rash lasts a long time and is accompanied by swelling; if it spreads to the area of the upper respiratory tract and tongue, the risk of blocking the larynx and suffocation increases sharply.
Hives. It occurs as a reaction to foods, medications, other allergens and under the influence of temperature factors (cold, sun), in some cases it is a secondary sign of hormonal imbalances and pathologies of the internal organs. Large, spreading pink, very itchy blisters appear on the skin.
Atopic dermatitis ( atopic eczema, neurodermatitis). This is an inflammation of the skin caused by the body's immediate (within the first four hours) reaction to the allergen. It is chronic, cannot be cured completely and requires daily attention throughout life. May be accompanied allergic rhinitis, bronchial asthma and eczema itself. The disease appears in the first year as an itchy rash on the face, cheeks, and the inner surfaces of the folds of the arms and legs. During an exacerbation, the rash looks like red blisters-papules with scratches and liquid discharge. Bursted blisters become crusty. Over the years, the symptoms mutate, skin rashes change appearance and location. The skin becomes dry and rough, lesions appear in the popliteal and elbow fossae, on the chest, face and neck. The occurrence of eczema is provoked nervous diseases, pathologies of internal organs, endocrine system disorders.
3. Rash in newborns
Rashes on the body of newborns are caused by:
- an excessive dose of allergenic products received with mother's milk (toxic erythema of newborns is most often caused by dried apricots and walnuts);
- inappropriate care (diaper rash, diaper dermatitis, prickly heat is caused by excessive wrapping, infrequent washing, lack of air baths).
- Erythema toxicum looks like small white-yellow seals surrounded by a red rim. Often only red spots appear.
- Newborn acne occurs on the face, scalp and neck. A rash in the form of inflamed seals causes activation of the sebaceous glands by maternal hormones. Careful hygiene and moisturizing with emollients are required.
- Prickly heat caused by increased skin moisture and disruption sweat glands with excessive wrapping. Small blisters and spots rarely become inflamed, do not bother the patient and disappear quickly with good care.
- Vesiculopustulosis(inflammation of the mouth of the sweat glands caused by pathogenic staphylococcus) is characterized by small pustular blisters of white or yellowish color, on the body, neck, legs, arms, head. In place of the burst bubbles, crusts form. To prevent the infection from spreading throughout the body, it is necessary to thoroughly treat the identified lesions with solutions of potassium permanganate or brilliant green, and alcohol - the areas of skin between the pustules. You cannot bathe your baby.
Bite marks are formed due to mechanical damage to the skin and toxins and infections that have entered them. The body's reaction to insect bites from a rash of infectious diseases can be distinguished by localization and the absence of other symptoms. Immediately after the bite, the damaged area of the skin turns red, swells, itching, urticaria, anaphylaxis and acute vascular insufficiency for allergy sufferers.
- Bedbug bites look like linearly arranged, itchy lumps and blisters that appear at night. There is a tiny bruise in the center of the rash. Drops of blood may be found on the bed linen.
- Flea bites similar to bedbug bites, but located randomly on the skin.
- Bees, bumblebees, wasps and hornets in the back of the body they have a sting connected to a sac containing poison. This sting often remains at the site of the bite and must be carefully removed.
- Mosquitoes The bites leave behind itchy blisters that then develop into a reddish lump that lasts from several hours to several days. Sometimes the bite site swells. If you are prone to allergies, urticaria and Quincke's edema are possible.
- Scabies mites make microscopic passages in thin skin (between the fingers, on the wrists, on the stomach, etc.). The rash looks like red dots, often located in pairs, 2-3 mm apart, and is accompanied by severe itching. Scabies is contagious. It is transmitted by contact, including through shared things, and requires treatment by a dermatologist.
5. Hemorrhagic rash
A rash due to diseases of the blood and blood vessels (amyloidosis, thrombocytopenic purpura, Wegener's granulomatosis, vasculitis, hemosiderosis of the skin, etc.) occurs as a result of hemorrhages in the skin and requires examination by a hematologist. Depending on the disease, it may appear in the form of small dots or large bruises of various shapes and shades (from blue to brown and dirty gray). If a hemorrhagic rash is detected, you should urgently call a doctor and limit the patient’s mobility until a diagnosis is made. Among the causes of hemorrhagic rash are: anthrax, meningococcemia, pseudotuberculosis, typhoid fever, intestinal yersiniosis. The rash may be accompanied by itching and soreness of the skin, fever, and enlarged lymph nodes.
What to do
If rashes appear on the skin, you need to analyze
- where and for how long the child was;
- what he ate, what he did;
- with whom or what was in contact.
The child must be shown to a doctor; the doctor is called to the house as usual. Before visiting the doctor you should:
- Isolate the baby from other children (to prevent the spread of possible infection), and, if possible, limit his mobility.
- Do not scratch itchy areas so as not to expand the affected area (for example, with scabies).
- The rash should not be treated with any means, so as not to distort clinical picture to make a diagnosis.
IMPORTANT! Ambulance urgent Care called upon suspicion of meningococcal infection. And also if the rash is accompanied by a temperature above 40 degrees, confusion, vomiting, headache, swelling and difficulty breathing, or has the appearance of star-shaped hemorrhages throughout the body and causes unbearable itching.
Prevention
The simplest and most effective way to prevent infectious diseases (and their serious complications) in children is vaccination under the supervision of a pediatrician, according to national calendar vaccinations. Most modern vaccines are lightweight: they eliminate components that can cause unwanted reactions. They also have the ability to combine into one.
Children's immune system has not yet been fully formed, so in order not to provoke allergic manifestations, new foods should be introduced into the child's diet gradually, in small portions, checking how he tolerates them.
For any pathological change skin, you need to carefully examine the child, analyze what he ate, what he did, when and with whom he was in contact, calm the baby, provide him with peace and, if necessary, call a doctor.
