Skin rash in children - causes and signs of skin rash in children

Skin rashes in childhood are of the following types:

• Red, not rising above the surface of the skin. They can be of any size and different localization. The appearance of such spots is associated with an increase in the blood filling of the vessels.
• Papules are nodular formations that have a conical, multifaceted, elongated or flat shape. When pressed, they lose color.
• Vesicles are rounded bubble phenomena filled with liquid. The size varies from one to five millimeters.
• Hemorrhagic rashes that occur when blood vessels are damaged.
• Pustules are blisters of various shapes and sizes filled with pus.

Children may also have rash elements that are a consequence or result of the resolution of the manifestations described above (erosions, ulcers, crusts). It should also be noted that rashes on the mucous membranes are called "enanthems".

Causes

The following factors contribute to the development of the disease: infections (chickenpox, rubella, measles, herpes, scarlet fever, sepsis, etc.); inflammation related to metabolic disorders (psoriasis, hemosiderosis, etc.); systemic autoimmune processes (vasculitis, lupus); irritant reactions (urticaria, allergic dermatitis); congenital sexually transmitted diseases, such as syphilis.

Symptoms

External manifestations can be completely different. So, considering the most common childhood diseases, the following manifestations can be distinguished:

• Chickenpox - is characterized by the appearance of itchy vesicles about a couple of days after the first clinical manifestations (fever, weakness, headache, etc.). After a few days, the blisters open, and a crust forms in their place. If you scratch and tear off the neoplasms, then after they heal, characteristic scars remain on the dermis, called pockmarks;
• Rubella - spreads almost over the entire surface of the body. The rash is spotty, not itchy. At first it appears on the face, then quickly descends on the whole body within a few hours. From a small-point (resembling measles) rash it develops into spots of various sizes.
• Scarlet fever - is a spotty-papular element affecting the folds of the skin. Also a typical sign is considered to be a bright red rash on the cheeks.
• Measles - the rash consists of small papules surrounded by a spot and prone to merging (this is its characteristic difference from rubella). Measles is also characterized by a staging of the rash and a special enanthem on the mucous membrane of the oral cavity: on the 2nd day of the disease on the mucous membrane of the cheeks near the molars, small whitish spots appear, surrounded by a narrow red border (Belsky-Filatov-Koplik spots). Measles rashappears on the 4th-5th day of illness first on the face, neck, behind the ears, the next day - on the body and on the 3rd day the rash covers the extensor surfaces of the arms and legs, including the fingers.
• Herpes virus - vesicles - appear on the lips and mucous membranes of the oral cavity. They can be either single or multiple.
• Enterovirus - a rash affecting the feet and palms, while the spotting is absolutely painless and does not cause itching.
• Sepsis - develops as a result of the circulation of bacteria with the bloodstream against the background of an infectious process. Hemorrhagic or spotted rash can be located on any area, but most often occurs on the back or abdomen.
• Diathesis or allergic dermatitis is hyperemia of the skin surface, often accompanied by severe itching and peeling.
• Miliaria is observed in most cases in infants and is formed by pustules of a nodular or point nature. Most often, the latter are localized in the neck, back, chest, groin folds and buttocks.
• Systemic lupus erythematosus affects the face and resembles a butterfly, there is pronounced hyperemia of the nose and cheekbones.
• Hemorrhagic vasculitis - hemorrhagic rashes that form with a vascular defect, mainly in the elbows and knees.
• Hemosiderosis - with changes in metabolic processes in the baby's body, rashes may occur, which are characterized by pigment spots 0.1-3 cm in diameter or more, from yellow to dark brown in color.

Diagnostics

If any rash appears in a child, the diagnosis should be determined by a pediatrician based on an external examination and the results of laboratory tests (clinical urine and blood tests, tests for infection, allergy tests, etc.).

In order to make a final diagnosis, you need to undergo a full clinical examination in order to identify the causes of the disease. For this purpose, after consulting a pediatrician, it is advisable to see a dermatologist, allergist or infectious disease specialist.

Treatment

Therapy in children always depends on the nature of the underlying disease. Antibiotics are usually prescribed for infections, allergic conditions require complete cessation of contact with the allergen and the prescription of antihistamines. If the "birth" of neoplasms is associated with vascular and blood pathologies, a consultation with a hematologist will be required, who will find a specific approach to solving the problem.

Prevention

To prevent your baby from becoming infected with infectious diseases, which are the most common conditions for the appearance of skin rashes, it is necessary to follow the vaccination schedule and prevent the child from coming into contact with infected people. To prevent allergic reactions, it is recommended to monitor your child's diet, gradually introducing any new products. Hygiene also requires special attention.