Common skin problems in children

Most of the parents get worried on any kind of rash, boils or pigmentation appearing on the skin of the child. We try to give you the details of few common skin conditions that most of you have faced or will have to see.
Dry skin

 
Often hereditary and sometimes associated with eczema, baby’s skin can be tough, dry and scaly and the drier the skin, the less effective it is at protecting against harmful effects. It may appear to be cracked or dry or pigmented. In severe cases the skin may also show small cuts.
In such cases, it is best to avoid the use of drying soaps and the following measures can be adopted:

• Control the temperature and humidity in your home. 
•  Protect your baby from the wind. 
•  Keep your baby’s skin well moisturized to prevent dryness and maintain correct skin hydration by using a baby lotion or oil. Generally. The best way to apply moisturizer is on wet skin. Water forms a thin layer over the oil and helps the moisturizer to act better and for a longer time.

Chafing

There is friction between the baby’s clothing and skin or where areas of the skin rub together such as the armpits or folds of a baby’s bottom which causes chafing.  Dry your baby thoroughly after a bath, paying special attention to the folds and creases.

• Avoid rough, coarse and tight fabrics. 
•  Use baby powder or cream on the skin to decrease friction and keep your baby comfortable. These areas may also show superadded fungal infection and application of anti fungal powder helps the child to heal faster.
•  Try to clean these areas frequently and well and not leave oil there.

Cradle Cap

 
Overactive glands in your baby’s scalp

• To prevent, cradle cap, wash baby’s scalp with a product that is specially formulated to be mild and gentle enough for use on the baby’s scalp. 
•  Rinse thoroughly to remove all soap residue. 
•  If it does occur, gently rub baby oil on your baby’s scalp and leave overnight to loosen crusty patches in order to remove easily.

Remember to consult your doctor if this is too much as it may signify the presence of allergy in your child.
Rashes

Babies are constantly exposed to a variety of illnesses and irritants that can cause a rash. The common rashes that you will encounter in infants are:
• Prickly heat which occurs due to hot or moist weather and comes in crops of small, red, pointed, raised and mildly painful spots.
• Atopic dermatitis,  also  called  eczema
(Inflammatory disease of the skin), is a common hereditary dermatitis that causes an itchy rash primarily on the cheeks, face, trunk, and the arms and legs.
It usually develops in infancy, but can also occur in early childhood.
What are the reasons for atopic dermatitis?
The reasons are unclear, but it seems to have a genetic basis.
Can atopic dermatitis be managed?

There is no cure for atopic dermatitis, but 80% to 90% of cases clear by adolescence. The condition can be controlled with good skin care and environmental measures.

• Bathing and Shampooing: The number of baths per week should be limited (at times, to only one per week), depending on the severity of the condition. Soaking time should also be limited to less than 5 minutes, because prolonged soaking tends to dry the skin and exacerbate the symptoms of atopic dermatitis. Only mild skin cleansers and tepid water should be used because hot water acts as an irritant. A mild shampoo that is specially formulated for babies is recommended. The skin should be patted dry with a towel.
• Steroids: Topical steroids are used to control inflammation. A thin film of steroid cream or ointment should be applied to the affected areas two times a day, but only under the direction of a doctor.
• Moisturizers: A moisturizer should be applied one hour after the steroid. Immediate application will dilute the steroid and compromise its efficacy. The moisturizer should be applied thickly to the entire face and body.
• Antihistamines: Antihistamines may be used to decrease itching and can help increase the comfort of a child at night. A doctor should be consulted before using antihistamines on children below the age of 6.
• Additional recommendations: Children should wear cotton clothing to minimize scratching and itching. Wool, feathers (including those in feather pillows) or other harsh materials should be avoided. Fuzzy toys, stuffed animals and pets such as cats and dogs should also be avoided, since they can worsen atopic dermatitis. Air conditioners or fans in summer and humidifiers or vaporizers in winter can make a child feel more comfortable.
  • Urticaria (hives, pittha, seerus) is caused by an allergic reaction of the body to a food item or sometimes even a medication. They appear as numerous, flat or raised reddish rashes, which may be small or large in size and accompanied by intense itching. After treating with appropriate antiallergic medication, the hives disappear within a few days.

Insect bite reactions appear as rounded, whitish blisters or bumps which are not red, but “are very itchy. Though harmless in the long run, these rashes tend to reappear time and again for many months. Treatment includes protection against mosquitoes by covering the child with full¬sleeved tops and long pants and using insect repellant creams.

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