Itchy rash in a child. All types of rashes on the body in children
Do you want to know what kind of rash is on the body of a child? Illness, allergy, reaction to environment? Many types of rashes you can diagnose yourself, most of them are not a big problem and can be easily treated.
First of all, to know for sure, you should immediately consult with a pediatrician.
What causes a rash in a child?
by the most common causes baby rash can be:
- infection;
- improper care;
- allergy;
- diseases of the blood and blood vessels.
Non-infectious types of rash
1. Diaper dermatitis.
2. Hemorrhagic vasculitis.
3. Allergic rash.
4. Insect bites.
Diaper dermatitis characteristic of babies who are not able to control excretory functions. According to statistics, they suffer from 30 to 60% of children in the first years of life. It appears on the skin of the baby in the form of small redness. Usually, the rash can be seen in places of contact with urine and feces, or in the natural folds of the skin when rubbing against clothing. Sometimes there are blisters and peeling of the skin.
This type of rash in children passes quickly enough with proper hygiene and maximum contact of the child's skin with air.
Hemorrhagic vasculitis looks on the child's skin in the form of small bruises located close to each other. Usually, the rash first occurs around the joints, on the buttocks, less often in other places.
An additional symptom is abdominal pain and even damage to large joints. If spot bruises and bruises are found, it is necessary to seek help from a specialist in order to make a correct diagnosis in a short time and begin treatment.
allergic rash usually pink-red. It is unevenly distributed over the skin, similar to small pimples. The child may be depressed due to itching at the site of the rash. Sometimes the rash may be accompanied by fever.
Allergies can be caused by anything from food to clothing. An allergic rash is treated with antihistamines and the exclusion of contact with the allergen.
Insect bites look like a swelling, in the center of which a trace of penetration is visible. The bite site can itch, burn, hurt.
If you know for sure that the child was bitten by a mosquito or a fly, then it is enough to get by with special ointments or folk remedies to relieve swelling and itching. If there is a suspicion of a bite from another insect, it makes sense to consult a doctor for help.
How to determine which infection caused the rash?
- meningococcal infection.
- Rubella
- baby roseola
- Measles rash (measles)
- Scarlet fever
- Chickenpox
Rash in meningococcal infection usually expressed as purple or red spots located on the lower part of the body.
This rash is accompanied by fever, nausea, vomiting, groaning cry, harsh, abrupt movements, or vice versa, lethargy of the child.
Rubella manifests itself in the form of round or oval flat pink spots with a diameter of 3-5 mm, located on the trunk and limbs.
There is an increase in lymph nodes, fever. The rash goes away after two or three days.
baby roseola - a mysterious disease, the first symptoms of which are fever up to 39 degrees. After three days, the temperature returns to normal, a small pink rash appears on the body. First, it is located on the back, then it spreads to the stomach, chest and arms of the baby.
The rash does not itch, but the baby can be capricious. special treatment does not require, but a doctor's consultation will not hurt.
Measles rash (measles) begins with an increase in temperature to febrile figures, which is joined by lack of appetite, cough, runny nose, followed by conjunctivitis. After a while, a rash appears in the form of bright pink spots that can merge with each other.
First, the skin behind the ears and on the forehead is affected, then it quickly spreads to the whole body. The rash lasts 4-7 days.
Scarlet fever It manifests itself in an increase in temperature, a terrible sore throat, an increase in the tonsils.
By the end of the first day of illness, a bright, small purple rash appears on the upper body, which soon spreads to the whole body, except for the nasolabial fold.
Rashes with chickenpox change their appearance over time. At first, the rash looks like small bubbles with transparent contents, then the contents become cloudy, the blisters break through and a crust forms.
This type of rash is characterized by rash. The rash gives the child discomfort, as it itches a lot. The disease is accompanied by fever.
What to do if you find a rash?
- It is necessary to call a doctor at home so as not to infect other children at the reception.
- Before the doctor arrives, do not treat the rash with anything, as this will make it difficult to establish a correct diagnosis.
In some cases, you yourself can find out what kind of rash is found on the baby's skin. However, to be completely sure, it is better to spend an hour of time consulting with your doctor.
The main causes of the appearance of red spots on the body of a child are considered. Symptoms of diseases that cause them and how to distinguish them from the manifestation of an allergic reaction.
It just so happened that in the house where there is Small child, mother performs the functions of a pediatrician, dermatologist, infectious disease specialist, teacher, educator and many others. Parents are especially responsible for the health of the baby, because the child's body can react to foods familiar to adults, cosmetics, clothes and other ordinary things are extremely specific.
Allergic skin reaction is the most common problem in children younger age. Therefore, every mother should know what spots look like with allergies in a child, as well as how to distinguish this disease from other possible ailments.
Causes of allergies in children in the form of red spots on the body
Frequent allergies in children are caused by the fact that immature the immune system the child's body reacts inadequately to various substances that enter it.
At risk for allergies are children whose parents suffer from allergic diseases.
This means that it is legitimate to talk about a genetic, hereditary predisposition to the development of an allergic reaction. Also, more often than other children, crumbs who were born prematurely or with low weight get to see a pediatrician with skin rashes.
The provoking factor for the development of an allergic reaction of the body is an unfavorable environmental situation, frequent viral diseases, intestinal dysbacteriosis.
The most common causes of allergic red spots on the body of a child are:
Photo: Strong allergic reaction in the form of spots on the back of a child
- food products;
- hygiene products;
- room dust, or rather, the waste products of a dust mite;
- medicinal preparations;
- vegetable pollen;
- chemical substances;
- protein compounds of animal saliva;
- poisonous components of insect saliva, etc.
Dermatologists and pediatricians distinguish the following types of allergies on the skin of a child, depending on the root cause of its occurrence:
- food allergy;
- hives;
- toxidermia;
- photodermatosis;
- dermatitis.
Apart from skin reactions, allergies in children may be accompanied by rhinitis, conjunctivitis, asthma attacks, laryngeal edema. Therefore, when the first warning signs it is urgent to show the baby to a highly qualified specialist in order to prevent the occurrence of complications.
food allergy
Food allergies are the most common type of childhood allergic reaction, especially in infants. This is primarily due to the quality and composition of the consumed products. Today, store shelves are bursting with an abundance of food, but it is extremely difficult to find a product without preservatives, dyes and genetically modified additives. Food allergens enter the baby's body with mother's milk. It is for this reason that all mothers are recommended strict diet upon discharge from the hospital.
However, the risk of allergen penetration through breast milk in no case should mothers be encouraged to refuse breastfeeding.
If a woman monitors her diet, does not overeat, is not fond of certain foods, forgetting about others, allergic complications in a child rarely occur. Moreover, when it comes time to expand the baby's diet, introduce additional foods, those children who were breastfed tolerate this process much more easily.
At the same time, daily pediatricians are faced with such a problem as food allergy, which occurs in children of the first years of life and is associated with artificial feeding and / or the introduction of complementary foods after artificial feeding. As statistics show, the earlier a child is transferred to artificial feeding, the more likely he is to get a food allergy.
Photo: Red spots on the face as a manifestation of food allergies Weak organism babies can not yet fully adapt to the new conditions of life and nutrition.
In addition, in the first 4-6 months of life, maternal immune proteins circulate in the child's body, which are transmitted, among other things, with mother's milk.
They help the child adjust to big world, and his immune system - to get stronger, to prepare for "independent" work. If there are none, or there are few of them, the still unformed immunity has too intense a load. He does not cope, giving out severe allergic reactions.
Manifested this pathology small rashes on the body, which can merge into round spots.
- Rashes are most often localized on the cheeks of babies and are popularly called diathesis.
- Skin rash is accompanied by itching and burning. Very often, the baby is worried about pain in the tummy, indigestion (vomiting, diarrhea, nausea).
- In especially severe cases, the lips, mucous membranes of the eyes, and larynx may swell up to the point of stopping breathing.
The described symptoms fit into the picture of angioedema angioedema, which, along with anaphylactic shock, is life threatening condition..
The most highly allergenic foods are:
- milk protein casein,
- chocolate,
- eggs,
- citrus,
- strawberry,
- eggs,
- yeast baking.
When this type of allergy occurs, the most important thing is to identify and eliminate the effect of the allergen on the patient's body.
Hives
Urticaria is allergic dermatitis, which is characterized by rashes all over the body in the form of pale pink blisters. Outwardly, the elements of the rash are very similar to burns after skin contact with nettles. The causes of urticaria can be a variety of factors and very often it is a reaction to drug preparation.
Photo: Red spots on the body of a child - an allergy to antibiotics in the form of urticaria In children different ages the symptoms of the disease may differ, but, as practice shows, up to 6 months this type of allergy practically does not occur.
From six months to two years, urticaria develops in response to:
- the use of highly allergenic foods,
- the use of cosmetics with a large number of fragrances, dyes and other additives.
There is a high risk of developing urticaria on clothing items: for example, 16% of children, according to the Allergist Association, are allergic to natural wool.
Chronic urticaria in young children develops against the background of diseases of the gastrointestinal tract, liver pathologies, leukemia, connective tissue pathologies.
Symptoms of urticaria depend on the severity of the pathological process:
- Initially, blisters appear on the skin and pink spots, which have bright red circles along the edge. The rash protrudes above the level of the skin and is distinguished by the symmetry of the arrangement of the elements.
- Besides feature urticaria is the complete reversibility of pathological changes.
- As the skin recovers, it clears up, scars and pigmentation do not form on it, and there are no traces of a rash.
Treatment of this type of allergy is based on the use of H1-antihistamine drugs.
Toxicoderma (toxiderma)
Toxicoderma is a group of dermatological diseases, which are based on an allergic reaction of the body. This type diseases are characterized by acute inflammatory processes on the skin and mucous membranes in children.
Depending on the root cause of the disease, food, infectious, drug and other types of toxidermia are distinguished. As medical practice shows, most often the development of this pathology is based on allergic reaction to a drug.
With toxicoderma in children, the severity of the clinical picture depends on the severity of the allergic reaction. But, most often it is the appearance of itching on any part of the body, small vesicles appear in the same place, which can increase significantly and turn into papules, merging into large foci.
In this case, the baby may be disturbed by symptoms of a general malaise of intoxication:
Photo: Toxiderma on the face baby - hyperthermia (increased body temperature);
- weakness, lethargy;
- nausea;
- dehydration;
- loss of appetite;
- pallor;
- headache.
In especially severe cases, Quincke's edema may develop, affecting the brain. anaphylactic shock. Therefore, when the first neoplasms appear on the baby's skin, it is urgent to show it to the pediatrician so as not to endanger the health and life of the crumbs.
Photodermatosis
Photodermatosis is special form an allergic reaction that occurs due to hypersensitivity child's body to sunlight.
Photo: Red rash on the cheeks as the appearance of photodermatitis At risk this disease there are children under 3 years old. The following factors contribute to the occurrence of photodermatosis:
- pre-existing allergies of any type;
- transferred viral diseases;
- taking antibiotics or other photosensitizing drugs;
- chronic diseases of the hepatobiliary system and kidneys.
Symptoms of photodermatosis can be red rashes on skin exposed to clothing, lacrimation, swelling of the face, especially in the nasolabial triangle.
It is important to note that there are two forms of sun allergy - actually polymorphic photodermatosis and solar urticaria. They appear a little differently.
If the mother noticed that after exposure to the sun, the baby’s body is covered with pink spots with blisters, then it is necessary to bring the child into the room, wash the skin clean water, give an antihistamine and show the baby to a specialist.
The rash with photodermatosis is very similar to the manifestations sunburn or any other allergic disease. Therefore, a highly qualified doctor should be engaged in the diagnosis and treatment.
Dermatitis
Photo: Atopic dermatitis Dermatitis is also a type of dermatological allergy. The reasons for the development of this disease are different.
Dermatitis is characterized by a clinical picture that manifests itself:
- redness,
- scuffs,
- scaly, rough skin in the pathological focus.
In the absence of adequate treatment and care, the rashes are covered with blisters, which, opening up, form wound weeping foci. When the infection enters the inflamed foci, the vesicles become purulent and can have many adverse effects on the health of the child.
In place of spots with allergies, a child may have roughness, depigmented areas in the form of white spots. So that in the future the child does not worry about cosmetic defects, it is necessary to timely diagnose and treat allergies.
Localization of allergic red spots on the body of a child
Photo: Dry flaky red spots on the back of a child - eczema Characteristic of allergic red spots on the body of a child is their arbitrary location. But pediatricians restored some connection between the allergen and the location of the allergic focus:
- allergy on foot appears when exposed to an allergen by contact or airborne ( household chemicals, plants, cosmetic products);
- appear with food allergies, as well as with an allergic reaction to the sun's rays;
- in the language most often a rash appears with urticaria, against the background of drug allergy;
- on the pope infants most often develop a rash with diaper dermatitis, with allergies to chemical and cosmetic products, very often this type of rash is complicated by a secondary infection;
- skin rashes on back and stomach often confused with common prickly heat, but they occur due to contact, food or drug allergies, single pink spots can merge into a single large spot;
- on hands most often there are red spots with allergies to food, especially often the foci are diagnosed on the elbow bend;
- on the palms an allergic reaction manifests itself upon contact with household chemicals, detergents, as well as when using low-quality rubber or plastic toys.
In any case, only a qualified doctor can accurately diagnose the disease and identify its root cause.
Differential Diagnosis
Given the fact that many diseases can be accompanied by the appearance of red spots on the body of a child, it is necessary to learn how to differentiate allergies from other pathologies. A significant difference is the nature and location of the elements of the rash.
You need to differentiate allergies from other diseases that can cause red spots on the body (all photos can be enlarged):
| Reaction | Characteristics of red spots on the body of a child | A photo |
| Insect bites | They appear mainly after a night's sleep in open areas of the body, have a regular round shape with a slight protrusion in the center, itching and pain are present at the bite site. |  |
| Prickly heat | A small nodular rash that can appear on any part of the body where there is high humidity and insufficient hygiene, but most often these are skin folds (behind the ears, on the neck, on the buttocks, in the groin). |  |
| molluscum contagiosum | A viral disease, manifested by small nodular rashes all over the body, which at first resemble white spots, later a seal appears in the center of the spot, which grows from 1 to 10 mm, sometimes children are worried about itching at the site of the neoplasm. |  |
| Scarlet fever | A childhood infectious disease that is very similar to a food allergy rash, but when it appears characteristic symptoms: “crimson tongue”, white nasolabial triangle, sore throat, etc., it is not difficult to distinguish scarlet fever; |  |
| Chickenpox | Infectious disease, which is characterized by hyperthermia, general weakness, enlargement of regional lymph nodes. Rash characteristic:
|  |
| Measles | In this infection, the rash is preceded by coughing against the background of high temperature, and only on 3-4 days the baby's body is covered with a small rash, which merges into one large spot. |  |
| Rubella | An infectious disease in which the lymph nodes increase, a small red rash appears on the face, and later "leaves" down the whole body. |  |
| Scabies | contagious dermatological disease, in which the patient is concerned not so much with specks on the arms, abdomen and lateral surfaces of the thighs, but with severe nocturnal itching; a characteristic black rash is the dual arrangement of the elements of the rash (the entrance and exit of the scabies mite). |  |
| ringworm pink | A disease with an incompletely understood etiology, but with several characteristic features:
|  |
| Roseola baby or pseudorubella | The disease that small children suffer from is manifested by critical indicators of body temperature, and confluent red small bubbling rashes all over the body, which disappear without a trace after 3-4 days. |  |
| Infectious erythema | The disease caused by parvovirus is characterized by symptoms of general malaise, high temperature body, muscle and joint pain, and a red rash on the face. |  |
Video: Dr. Komarovsky about a rash in children (including red spots)
Treatment of allergic red spots on the body of a child
All mothers are wondering how to treat such rashes on the baby's body. Once again I want to remind you that a qualified doctor should deal with the treatment of any disease in children. The complex of antiallergic measures should be aimed at:
- identification of the allergen and elimination of its contact with the child's body;
- systemic therapy with antihistamines in the form of rectal suppositories crushed in baby food tablets or syrups (for babies), as well as the actual tablets for older children;
- local treatment with ointments, gels, creams;
- promotion immune protection organism;
- dietary hypoallergenic food.
In order to eliminate allergic spots on the child's body, a reception is prescribed antihistamines:
- Fenistil,
- Eden,
- claritin,
- Tavegil.
The choice of the drug, the calculation of its dose and the duration of the course of treatment will be made by the attending doctor, taking into account individual features and age of the patient.
Suitable for itching and redness systemic treatment supplement local therapy. For children use antihistamine ointments and gels:
- Gistan,
- Fenistil.
In particular difficult cases and only if recommended by a doctor, can be used in short courses hormonal ointments:
- Elokom,
- Advantan.
Many parents ask how to smear spots on a child with allergies and whether iodine can be used for this purpose.
Let's just say that the choice of a drug for external use is the competence of a doctor, but iodine should not be used for allergies, since it itself can cause an allergic reaction.
In addition, when applying iodine to a very thin, delicate, but already irritated skin of a child, you can injure it even more, which will lead to serious consequences, up to a burn.
Most often, mothers ask doctors how quickly allergy spots in children pass. This question is very individual and depends on the correct approach to treatment and the degree of neglect of the pathological process. But on average, improvements occur after 7-10 days from the start of treatment.
The main thing in the treatment of any disease is to listen carefully to the doctor and regularly follow all the appointments!
A rash on the body of a child has internal causes 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 the child with first aid and provide the doctor with the necessary information for a quick correct diagnosis.
What does it look like
The appearance of pathological elements on the skin different shapes, color, size and texture is called a rash. Often it is accompanied by other symptoms, which can determine the disease that caused the rash. Among the causes of rashes: violations of the internal organs, infections and allergies. The rash is often accompanied by itching and fever. Among the secondary elements that accompany rashes are crusts, peeling, scars, cracks, ulcers and erosion, 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 for 2-3 days.
When viral infection the child's condition is relieved by antipyretics and soothing external ointments and creams. For a bacterial rash, 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, the nature of the rash |
| Infectious erythema, caused by parvovirus B19, transmitted by airborne droplets, it is possible and contact transmission. Most often they get sick 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, there is a rash on the cheeks in the form of small, slightly protruding bright red dots, which, increasing, merge into shiny symmetrical spots. Then slightly swollen red spots of the rash, sometimes with a bluish tinge, spread over the body. Further, the center of the spots brightens. The rash most often appears on the extensor surfaces. The spots fade away gradually, in 1-3 weeks. |
| Sudden exanthema (roseola), caused by the herpes simplex 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. | Possible malaise, runny nose, redness of the throat, slight swelling of the eyelids, swollen lymph nodes, cervical and rear ear. The temperature rises sharply to 38 - 40.5 degrees, after 3 days the temperature drops, and the body appears small rash in the form of pink spots, sometimes slightly rising above the surface (they last from several hours to three days). Characterized by irritability, lethargy and lack of appetite. |
| Chickenpox (chickenpox), is caused by the varicella zoster virus, which is 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 up to 10 days. | Malaise occurs 1 - 2 days before the rash appears, in the form of a headache, sometimes mild pain in the abdomen, a gradual increase in temperature to 38 degrees. A rash accompanied by itching appears on the head, face, torso. Red spots in a few hours turn into papules, and then into vesicles with a clear liquid (vesicles). The next day, the liquid becomes cloudy, an impression appears in the center of the bubble, and it itself becomes covered with a crust. A characteristic feature of chickenpox is the appearance of new elements (spills), so that at the same time one can observe different stages rash development: spots - seals (papules) - vesicles (vesicles) - crusts. After the disappearance of the rash, spots may remain, disappear after a week. If you scratch the itchy rashes, you can get an infection, then scars can remain on the skin. In most people who recover from the disease, the varicella-zoster virus passes into hidden form, strengthening in nerve cells. |
| Meningococcal infection, caused by meningococcus (bacteria), is transmitted by air, settling in the nasal cavity and becoming more active with a decrease in the quality of life 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 a rash to death if meningococcus enters the blood or cerebrospinal fluid. Once in the bloodstream, meningococcus can cause blood poisoning (sepsis) and/or meningitis. With sepsis, the temperature rises to 41 degrees, vomiting begins. On the first day, patients complain of headache, impaired consciousness, photophobia, tension in the back of the head. Against the background of pale grayish skin, a rash (small bruises that grow and become star-shaped) appears, it can rise above the level of the skin, often ulcerates and forms scars. There is no rash in isolated meningitis. |
| Measles, It is caused by an RNA-containing virus from the Paramyxoviridae family of the Morbilivirus genus. |
9 - 21 days. The patient is contagious up to the 5th day from the onset of the rash, i.e., by about the 9th day of the disease. | General malaise lasts 3-5 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 - the trunk, on the 3rd day - the limbs, and turns pale on the face. The rash is accompanied by mild itching, sometimes there are small bruises. After the disappearance of the spots within 7 - 10 days, peeling and brownish traces may be observed. |
| Scarlet fever, caused by group A streptococci. It is transmitted by airborne droplets and by contact, not only from patients with scarlet fever, but also from those who have any disease caused by these bacteria (for example, tonsillitis). |
2 - 7 days The patient is contagious until the 10th day of illness. | The malaise begins with a rise in temperature, acute pain in the throat. The pharynx is bright red, the tonsils are enlarged more than with ordinary angina. On the 1st - 2nd day of illness, a bright red punctate rash appears that does not affect the nasolabial triangle, while the patient's cheeks are burning, his eyes are shining. The rash is more intense in the folds of the body. especially in the armpits, cubital fossae, in the groin. May be accompanied by itching. The skin is red and hot, slightly swollen. After 3-7 days, the rash disappears, leaving behind a strong 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, through close contact. Often resolves without rash or other characteristic symptoms. The degree of contagiousness of patients is low. | The disease proceeds 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 is possible. On the 5th - 6th day, a rapidly passing rash may occur, especially if the patient has been prescribed ampicillin. | |
| , is caused by a virus from the group of togaviruses (family Togaviridae, genus Rubivirus), most often at the age of 5-15 years. It is transmitted by contact, airborne droplets. | 11 - 21 days. The patient is contagious up to the 5th day of illness. | slight discomfort with low temperature often not noticed. The occipital and posterior cervical The lymph nodes. After 1 - 2 days, pale pink small spots (disappear when pressing on the skin or when stretching it) appear on the face, quickly spread to the legs in a day and usually disappear after 3 days, leaving no traces. The rash may be accompanied by slight itching, located on normal, non-hyperemic skin. A frequent manifestation of rubella is a moderately pronounced dry cough, perspiration and dryness in the throat, headache. On the soft palate sometimes there are small red elements (Forchheimer's spots). Often the disease proceeds completely without a rash. Rubella is dangerous for expectant mothers, especially in the first trimester of pregnancy, as it causes birth defects fetal development. |
2. Allergy
An allergic rash can be caused by food (chocolate, milk, eggs, citrus fruits, etc.), household chemicals, medicines, animal hair, even after touching a nettle or jellyfish, or after a mosquito bite. Eruptions all over the body are clearly visible and embossed. Accompanied by a runny nose, lacrimation and severe itching. Contact with the source of its occurrence should be excluded, and prescribed by a doctor antihistamines and other drugs. Allergic rashes differ from infectious rashes 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 on medicines or food, but can also be insect bites, contact with jellyfish or nettles. The rash lasts for a long time, accompanied by swelling, if they extend to the area of the upper respiratory tract and tongue - the risk of overlapping of the larynx and suffocation increases sharply.
Hives. It occurs as a reaction to foods, drugs, other allergens and under the influence of temperature factors (cold, sun), in some cases it is a secondary sign of hormonal disruptions and pathologies of the internal organs. Large, spreading, pink, intensely itchy blisters appear on the skin.
Atopic dermatitis (atopic eczema, neurodermatitis). This is an inflammation of the skin caused by the immediate (within the first four hours) reaction of the body to an allergen. It is chronic, does not heal completely and requires daily attention throughout life. May be accompanied allergic rhinitis, bronchial asthma and eczema itself. The disease appears in the first year with an itchy rash on the face, cheeks, inner surfaces of the folds of the arms and legs. In the period of exacerbation, the rash looks like red vesicles-papules with scratching and liquid discharge. Bursting bubbles are covered with crusts. Over the years, the symptoms mutate, skin rashes change appearance and location. The skin becomes dry and rough, lesions occur in the popliteal and ulnar fossae, on the chest, on the face and neck. The occurrence of eczema is provoked nervous diseases, pathologies of internal organs, disorders of the endocrine system.
3. Rash in newborns
Rashes on the body of newborns are caused by:
- an excess dose of allergen products received with mother's milk (toxic erythema of newborns is most often caused by dried apricots, walnuts);
- inept care (diaper rash, diaper dermatitis, prickly heat are caused by excessive wrapping, rare washing, lack of air baths).
- Toxic erythema looks like small white-yellow seals surrounded by a red rim. Often only red spots appear.
- acne in newborns occurs on the face, scalp and neck. A rash in the form of inflamed seals causes activation sebaceous glands maternal hormones. Careful hygiene and moisturizing with emollients is required.
- Prickly heat due to increased skin moisture and disruption of the sweat glands with excessive wrapping. Small bubbles and spots rarely become inflamed, do not disturb the patient and quickly pass with good care.
- Vesiculopustulosis(inflammation of the mouth of the sweat glands caused by pathogenic staphylococcus) is characterized by pustular small vesicles of white or yellowish color, on the body, neck, legs, arms, and head. Crusts form in place of the burst bubbles. In order to prevent the infection from spreading throughout the body, careful treatment of the identified foci with solutions of potassium permanganate or brilliant green, and alcohol is necessary - skin areas between the pustules. Bathing the baby is not allowed.
Bite marks are formed due to mechanical damage skin and trapped in them toxins and infections. The reaction of the body 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 in allergy sufferers.
- Bed bug bites appear as linear, itchy lumps and vesicles that appear at night. In the center of the rash is a tiny bruise. Drops of blood can be found on bed linen.
- Flea bites similar to bedbug bites, but randomly located 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 leave bites in the form of itchy blisters, which then develop into a reddish lump that lasts from several hours to several days. Sometimes the bite site swells. With a tendency 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 arranged in pairs, 2-3 mm apart, and is accompanied by intense itching. Scabies is contagious. It is transmitted by contact, including through common things, and requires treatment by a dermatologist.
5. Hemorrhagic rash
A rash in diseases of the blood and blood vessels (amyloidosis, thrombocytopenic purpura, Wegener's granulomatosis, vasculitis, skin hemosiderosis, etc.) occurs as a result of hemorrhages in the skin and requires examination by a hematologist. Depending on the disease, it can be in the form small dots or large bruises of various shapes and shades (from blue to brown and dirty gray). If a hemorrhagic rash is detected, an urgent need to call a doctor, and before making a diagnosis, limit the patient's mobility. Among the causes of hemorrhagic rash - anthrax, meningococcemia, pseudotuberculosis, typhoid fever, intestinal yersiniosis. The rash may be accompanied by itching and soreness of the skin, fever, swollen lymph nodes.
What to do
When rashes appear on the skin, it is necessary to analyze
- where and how long was the child;
- what did he eat, what did he do;
- with whom or what he was in contact with.
The child must be shown to the doctor, the doctor is called to the house in the usual manner. Before visiting a doctor, you should:
- Isolate the baby from other children (to prevent the spread possible infection), and, if possible, limit its mobility.
- You can not scratch itchy areas, so as not to expand the affected area (for example, with scabies).
- You can not treat the rash by any means, so as not to distort clinical picture to make a diagnosis.
IMPORTANT! Ambulance urgent care invoked on 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 stellate 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 the national vaccination schedule. Majority modern vaccines lightened: they eliminate components that can cause unwanted reactions. And also have the ability to combine into one.
In children, the immune system has not yet been fully formed, therefore, 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 contacted, calm the baby, provide him with peace and, if necessary, call a doctor.
If you do not know how infectious skin diseases and allergic rashes in children differ from each other, photos of these pathologies will help to distinguish one from the other.
In the article we will talk in detail about allergic rashes, their characteristic signs and methods of treatment.
What causes an allergic rash to 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 of infants is still being formed.
Violations in its work are often accompanied by swelling, hyperemia (reddening of the skin) and / or rash.
Most often, an allergic rash appears due to:
- medicines (the child's body may react negatively to individual components in the medicines included in the composition);
- 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 liquids);
- allergic dermatoses (plants or animals, prickly or poisonous);
- natural factors (for example, long stay in the sun);
- infections (non-cellular infectious agents).
The rash may appear only on the face or "go" all over the body.
What does a skin allergy look like in a child?
Allergic reactions in babies can be different. Depending on what caused it, you have to deal with a food allergy or a viral one.
In many cases, exanthems appear on the child's body (as various manifestations of allergic rashes are called):
- pustules (filled with pus);
- plaques;
- spots;
- vesicles (filled with fluid);
- blisters (large vesicles, larger than 0.5 cm).
With food allergies in babies, a 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 that the allergen touched.
If the baby's immune system 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, what they may encounter. We will bring short description some types of allergic rashes that appear in children under one year old and older.
| Type of rash | a brief description of | Cause |
| Allergic dermatitis | A small red rash spreads all over the body. In these places, the skin becomes dry, peeling, cracks, ulcers may occur. | Weak immunity or contact with an irritant. |
| Hives | Outwardly, it resembles blisters that appear after contact with a prickly plant of the same name. The rash "wanders" through the body, appears on the hands, then on the face, then on the folds of the arms and legs. It may be accompanied by itching, but after scratching, relief does not occur. | The reaction of the child's body to individual products (chocolate, honey, eggs, citrus fruits). |
| Neurodermatitis | It looks like psoriasis. Characteristic features- strong peeling. May become chronic. | Food allergies, weak immune system. |
| Eczema | Small red sores or small pimples. It is a chronic form, so it may disappear, then reappear. Appears first on the face, then on the arms and legs. | Infectious diseases, household chemicals, dermatitis. |
Allergy to foods (sweets, citrus fruits), drugs and antibiotics manifests itself differently. The following table will help you figure out what is what:
| Allergen | The nature of the rash |
| Sweets (chocolate (peanuts, sugar, milk powder) and honey) | Acne, urticaria, small rash around the mouth appear. With sugar intolerance, a small patient develops spots that itch a lot. With intolerance to honey - swelling, thirst, shortness of breath, red spots on the face. |
| Medicines | At the injection sites or on the arms, legs, abdomen and back of the baby (if the medicine was instilled into the child's mouth), red spots appear that resemble mosquito bite. Sometimes they swell, start to itch a lot. If spots and pimples appear on the feet and palms, then this is an infection and will require other treatment. |
| Antibiotics | In a child, a reaction to antibiotics occurs immediately after taking the drug. An allergic rash in the form of red spots covers the face and body of the baby. These spots do not itch, unlike contact dermatitis. Sometimes there is a temperature (appears for no apparent reason). Instead of spots, bubbles with liquid inside may appear. |
How to diagnose an allergy?
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 choosing an effective remedy, you need to learn how to distinguish one disease from another. An accurate diagnosis can only be made by a doctor, 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 | It can be in the form of both small dots and large blisters. In addition to them, there are often crusts, erosions and serous wells (sores from which fluid oozes). | Rashes are punctate, do not “merge” into a large spot. |
| Spawn Location | 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 | It happens. | It happens. |
| Puffiness | Well visible. In some situations it is life threatening. | There are very rare. |
| Associated symptoms | Lacrimation, conjunctivitis, hyperemia of the mucous membrane of the eye, decreased pressure, cough, indigestion. | Flow from the nose, general prostration, body aches. |
| How fast does it go | Often the rash goes away immediately after taking the medicine. | It remains until the course of treatment is completed. |
What medications are used to treat allergic rashes?
When an allergic skin rash appears in children, it is strictly forbidden to squeeze pimples or open blisters. It is necessary to explain to the child that it is also impossible to comb the sores.
If he is still too small, make sure that he does not touch the wounds. dirty hands. He can bring an infection, and this will only worsen his condition.
Treatment of rash in children is selected depending on the type of disease. Parents who do not know how to treat an allergic rash in children should not choose their own medications.
| allergic rash | Medications | Non-drug treatment |
| Allergic dermatitis | To relieve symptoms, Suprastin or Erius is prescribed. | Eliminate contact with the irritant. Bathe the child in water with the addition of decoctions of chamomile or sage. Physiotherapy, peace and positive emotions will also help the baby. |
| Hives | Children are prescribed antiallergic drugs: Suprastin, Tavegil. | |
| Neurodermatitis | The doctor recommends:
|
|
| Eczema | Good help:
|
How quickly does an allergic rash go away in children?
There is no single answer to the question of how long it will take to deal with allergic rashes in children. Much depends on the type and nature of the course of the disease.
For example, a food allergy, if it appeared in a baby or a one-year-old baby, disappears within one week. It is enough just to remove the allergenic product from the diet of a nursing mother.
Seven days will have to suffer those children who have urticaria or allergic dermatitis. It is more difficult to deal with eczema and neurodermatitis.
These diseases are disturbing for 14 days and often turn into chronic form. And this means that an allergic reaction may occur more than once.
Treatment should be started at the first appearance of a small pale rash. If you do not pay attention to it in the hope that "everything will pass by itself", 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 help prevent the appearance of an allergic rash in a child. Doctors give the following recommendations:
- Make sure that the baby does not come into contact with the allergen (remove allergenic foods from his diet; 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 the doctor's recommendations for taking medications.
Conclusion
An allergic rash in children under one year old and at an older age appears after different reasons. Often food, medicines, household chemicals become an allergen.
Allergy may be different types and look different. It is easy to confuse it with infectious disease. It is important to correctly diagnose and quickly choose an 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, and not helping.
Video
How to figure out what kind of rash a child has? Below you will find a photo with explanations of the main skin diseases in children.
Have you been taken by surprise by baby rashes under diapers or red dots on your baby’s palms? Now you will not have any questions about what kind of rash your child has.
Rash in children: photo with explanations
How to distinguish acne with chickenpox from a pustular rash, and atopic dermatitis from allergies - see photos and read explanations for them in our material.
Baby acne
Small white pimples usually appear on the cheeks, and sometimes on the forehead, chin and even the back of a newborn. May be surrounded reddish skin. Acne may appear from the first days up to 4 weeks of age.
Toxic erythema
The rash is characterized by small yellow or white rashes on the reddened area of the skin. It can appear anywhere on the child's body. The rash disappears on its own within two weeks, and is common in newborns, usually on the 2nd to 5th day of their life.
Erythema infectiosum (Fifth disease)
In the initial stage, there is fever, aches and cold symptoms, and in the following days there are bright pink spots on the cheeks and a red, itchy rash on the chest and feet.
Most often, such a rash occurs in preschoolers and first graders.
Folliculitis
Around hair follicle there are pimples or pustules covered with a crust. They are usually located on the neck, in the armpit or inguinal region. Rarely seen in children under 2 years of age.
Rashes on the hands, feet and around the mouth
They are characterized by fever, lack of appetite, sore throat, and painful blistering wounds in the mouth. The rash may appear on the feet, hands, and sometimes the buttocks. Initially, the rash appears as small, flat, red dots that may develop into bumps or blisters. It occurs at any age, but is most common among preschoolers.
Hives
Raised, red patches of skin characterized by itching may come and go on their own. Usually they appear from several hours to several days, but there are cases when they drag on to weeks or months. May appear at any age. The cause of urticaria is an allergic reaction to some allergen.
Impetigo
Small red bumps that may itch. They often appear near the nose and mouth, but can spread to other parts of the body. Over time, the bumps become pustules, which can abscess and become covered with a soft yellow-brown crust. As a result, the child may develop a fever and swollen lymph nodes in the neck. Most often, impetigo occurs in children from 2 to 6 years old.
Jaundice
The rash in children is characterized by a yellow tint to the skin. In dark-skinned children, jaundice can be identified in the whites of the eyes, on the palms or feet. It is most common in children in the first and second week of life, as well as in premature babies.
Measles
This disease begins with fever, runny nose, red watery eyes and cough. A few days later, small red dots with a white base appear on the inside of the cheeks, and then the rash appears on the face, passes to the chest and back, arms and legs with feet. At the initial stage, the rash has a flat red character, gradually becoming lumpy and itchy. This continues for about 5 days, and then the rash takes on a brown tint, the skin dries up and begins to peel off. Most common among unvaccinated children.
Mile
Mile are small white or yellow bumps-balls on the nose, chin and cheeks. Often occurs in newborns. Symptoms go away on their own within a few weeks.
molluscum contagiosum
Rashes have a hemispherical shape. The color matches the normal color of the skin or slightly pinker, having a pinkish-orange hue with a mother-of-pearl top. In the middle of the hemisphere there is an impression, somewhat reminiscent of a human navel.
Unusual for children under one year old.
papular urticaria
These are small, raised skin rashes that thicken over time and become a reddish-brown hue. They occur at the site of old insect bites and are usually accompanied by severe itching. May appear at any age.
Poison ivy or sumac
Initially, small areas or links of swollen and itchy red spots appear on the skin. The manifestation occurs after 12-48 hours from the moment of contact with a poisonous plant, but there are cases of a rash appearing within a week after contact. Over time, the rash turns into a blister and crusts over. Sumac is uncharacteristic for children under one year old.
Rubella
As a rule, the first symptom is a sharp rise in temperature (39.4), which does not subside for the first 3-5 days. Then a pink rash appears on the torso and neck, later spreading to the arms, legs and face. The child may be nervous, vomit, or show symptoms of diarrhea. Most often occurs between the ages of 6 months and 3 years.
Ringworm
A rash in the form of one or more red rings, ranging in size from a penny in denominations from 10 to 25 kopecks. The rings are usually dry and scaly at the edges and smooth in the center and may grow over time. It can also appear as dandruff or small bald patches on the scalp. Most common ages 2 and older.
Rubella measles
A bright pink rash that first appears on the face and then spreads to the whole body and lasts 2-3 days. The child may have a fever, swollen lymph nodes behind the ears, a stuffy or runny nose, headache, and sore throat. Vaccination reduces the risk of contracting rubella.
Scabies
Red rashes that are accompanied by severe itching usually occur between the fingers, around the wrist, under the armpits and under the diaper, around the elbows. May also appear on the kneecap, palms, soles, scalp or face. The rash can cause white or red mesh marks, as well as the appearance of small blisters on the skin around the rash. Itching is most intense after taking hot bath or at night, preventing the child from sleeping. May occur at any age.
Scarlet fever
The rash begins as hundreds of tiny red dots on the armpits, neck, chest, and groin and quickly spreads throughout the body. The rash feels like sandpaper to the touch and can be itchy. Also, it may be accompanied by fever and redness of the throat. During the initial stage of the infection, the tongue may have a white or yellowish coating that later turns red. Roughness on the tongue increases and gives the impression of a rash. This condition is commonly referred to as strawberry tongue. The child's tonsils may swell and become red. As the rash disappears, peeling of the skin occurs, especially in the groin area and on the hands. Scarlet fever is rare in children under 2 years of age.
warts
Small bumps, similar to grains, appear singly or in groups, usually on the arms, but can pass to the whole body. Warts usually have a shade close to skin tone, but may be slightly lighter or darker, with a black dot in the middle. Small flat warts can appear all over the body, but in children they most often appear on the face.
There are also plantar warts.
Such defects disappear on their own, but this process can take from several months to several years. Warts are not characteristic of children under 2 years of age.
