Child Skin Problems

Numerous skin problems plague children. Most conditions are mild and easily treated at home or with over-the-counter medication. Ringworm, warts, rashes, rosella infantum, chicken pox and impetigo are all common skin aliments. Most skin problems can be avoided by keeping skin clean and frequent hand washing. Teach children proper hand-washing techniques. Watch for fevers. Never treat a child's fever with aspirin. Keep nails trimmed to prevent cuts when scratching. Keep infected areas covered up.

Ringworm

• A red circle on the skin is ringworm. Ringworm is a fungal infection caused by dermatophytes. The fungus feeds off dead skin, hair and nails. Penetration into mucus membranes is impossible. Blisters or scaly skin creates the ring. Itching is the main effect. Transfer occurs by towels or skin-on-skin contact. Antifungal creams treat most cases.

Warts

• White bumps are often warts. Human papilloma virus causes warts. Warts grow in moist places and can take a long time to be visible.Treatment includes freezing, drying, lasers, chemicals or time. Warts can return over time. Walking barefoot, touching an infected person or touching an infected item causes warts. Warts are more common with children.

Rash

• Rashes, or dermatitis, causes swelling, bumps and itching on skin. A rash with a fever can be a sign of illness. Hives alert of an allergic reaction. Hives occur when the body releases histamine in response to an allergen. Eczema, irritant contact dermatitis and allergic contact dermatitis are the most common forms of rashes. Sunburns are a type or irritant contact dermatitis. Poison ivy is a type of allergic contact dermatitis. Ointments, lotions and medication can cure a rash.

Roseola Infantum

• Roseola Infantum is common in young children from six months to two years. A rash, respiratory illness and high fever are the symptoms. Do not use aspirin to treat. Small flat bumps make up the rash. The rash appears after the fever leaves and isn't itchy.

Chicken Pox

• Highly contagious and easily spread, chicken pox affects most children. The virus varicella zoster causes fluid-filled blisters all over the body. The blisters crust over after two to four days. It can take up to two weeks to recover from chicken pox. The blisters are itchy. Itching causes scars. Take oatmeal bags and use calamine lotion to soothe. Keep cool to avoid more itching. Once all the blisters have scabbed over, the disease is no longer contagious.

Impetigo

• When bacteria get into a child's broken skin, impetigo can happen. Bacteria cause blisters to form. The fluid oozes out of the blister and crusts over. The crust is yellowish is color. Blisters that form in younger children can take longer to burst. Antibiotic ointment or medication treats it. Contact can cause the impetigo to spread. The best prevention is to keep skin clean.