Read - Child Rash

Child Rash
, Age 11 and Younger
Healthy skin provides a barrier between the inside of the body and the outside environment. A rash indicates an abnormal change in the skin. In most cases a rash is a minor irritation or is part of an illness that will go away on its own. A rash may be caused by contact with a substance outside the body, such as poison ivy (contact dermatitis), or by other, more serious illnesses, such as measles or scarlet fever (strep throat with rash).

Generalized rashes caused by viruses are more common in babies and young children than in adults. A child rash may be caused by a viral illness. A child rash caused by a virus is not serious and usually disappears over a few days to a week. Home treatment is often all that is needed for treatment of a child rash.

Once a child rash caused by a virus happens, his or her body usually builds immunity to that particular virus. This immunity protects the child from getting that specific viral illness and rash again. The common child rash caused by viruses includes:

    * Chickenpox.
    * Fifth disease.
    * Roseola. Unidentified virus (nonspecific virus). When a virus is the cause of a rash, the specific virus that caused the rash may be unknown.

Child Skin Rash
The treatment plan for a child skin rash will be determined from the cause of the rash. Sometimes the child skin rash can result from an allergic reaction of food. Also, laundry detergent, or a soap used on the child's skin can cause an allergic reaction as well In order to determine what caused the child skin rash, it would be best to trace recent changes in your daily routine. This might be helpful approach to figure out the reason for the child skin rash.

What is a diaper rash?
A diaper rash is usually a rash located in the genital area. A diaper rash can be found in the inner thighs and buttock area too. The main reason for a diaper rash is usually wetness. Sometimes a diaper left on a toddler for too long can cause a diaper rash. The diaper rash can also result from an allergic reaction to the diaper wipes. If a diaper rash is not treated it can evolve into a bacterial or yeast infection. The effect of a bacterial infection can result with fever, with yellow patches or pus filled pimples. The yeast infection which is usually happens when your child is on an antibiotic, show up as red spots that multiply and then form a solid red blotch.

What would be the best diaper rash treatment?
A frequent diaper change keeping the child dry and clean would help in the healing process. Leaving the diaper off for awhile, and allowing the skin area to air dry will be helpful to speed up healing the rash. If the fresh air is not effective, then perhaps using zinc oxide (an over the counter lotion) will be a good diaper rash treatment. Usually, a diaper rash clears up in three or four days, of home treatment. If the child skin rash continues and worsens, call your pediatrician.

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