Common Rashes in Children

A rash is described as a reaction of the skin causing a red eruption. Many culprits can cause a rash, including an infection, allergies, a virus, an insect bite or a reaction to a certain medication. According to askdrsears.com, a website run by pediatric doctors, most rashes are not harmful and do not need any treatment, but a few are serious and have been caused by something that is potentially fatal. If you notice that your child has a rash, try to determine what may have caused it and contact his doctor.

Hives

• Hives are welts that can appear suddenly and spread quickly. They often appear on the trunk, sometimes appear on the extremities and rarely appear on the face. Hives can appear in various forms: round or irregular, small or large, and in clusters or alone. They may be caused by an allergic reaction or by a cold or a fever. Though hives are generally not harmful by themselves, if an allergic reaction has caused them, they may be dangerous. Watch your child for emergency signs such as vomiting and breathing problems.

Eczema

• Eczema can be caused by a genetic predisposition to dry and irritated skin or a skin allergy. When mild, eczema can appear as level dry and white patches, but when a child undergoes a flare-up he may have raised, red, irritated patches. In infants and young children, eczema often appears on the inner elbows and behind the knees. Older children usually experience it on the front of the knees and the outside of the elbows. Eczema can be chronic or temporary, partially depending upon whether it has been caused by an allergy. Only a doctor can diagnose and treat eczema after a full examination.

Chickenpox

• Chickenpox is a viral rash that is extremely contagious and common among children. In the beginning, chickenpox appears as a few itchy red bumps or spots. Over the next few days, more and more bumps appear and old bumps blister. Fever is common and can last for up to five days. Within two weeks, all bumps should be crusted over. Once all of them have crusted over and the child's fever is gone, he is no longer contagious.

Ringworm

• Ringworm is a fungal rash transmitted by other infected people or animals. It usually itches and it appears as a raised ring with skin that appears normal in the middle. It can look like one ring or present as more than 10 rings. A doctor usually diagnoses ringworm by taking some dry skin from the rash and examining it. The rash is usually treated with over-the-counter anti-fungal creams.

Contact Rash

• There are two types of contact rash. The first one erupts due to contact with such irritants as poison ivy and chemicals. It looks like red patches or bumps on the skin, and it may have a crusty surface. It is usually confined to one or a couple of small portions on the body. The second type of contact rash is usually spread all over the body and can appear as small red spots or pimples. It may be caused by an irritant like grass, bed sheets, laundry detergent, pool water or soap. Both can be treated with over-the-counter or prescription hydrocortisone cream, depending on the severity of the rash.