Dealing with skin rashes in children

Rashes on the skin are frequent in children and can be itchy, elevated, or pigmented. While most rashes go away on their own, here are some home remedies you can attempt to ease your child’s rash, as well as when you should see a doctor.

How to ease your child’s rash

• Wash your child’s skin with gentle soap and warm water.
• To minimise further inflammation, avoid scrubbing the skin.
• Pat the skin with a towel to dry it.
• Do not use a bandage or any other covering to cover the rash.
• Calamine lotion used on the rash might help calm the skin and decrease irritation.
• Baths with oatmeal can help soothe irritated skin. Hot baths should be avoided because the heat can worsen the rash.
• Make use of a damp cloth. If the rash is on healthy skin, dabbing it with a clean, moist cloth can help relieve discomfort and itching.
• Give over-the-counter drugs to your child, such as topical hydrocortisone creams.
• Make it a point to discourage your child from scratching. Scratching the rash can cause skin infections and break the skin. If your child is old enough to comprehend, tell them to resist the impulse to itch. You can also trim their nails and require them to wear gloves at night.

What causes children’s skin rashes?

Knowing the reason for your child’s rash can set your mind at ease and help you make educated decisions, such as whether you should take your child to the doctor or treat them at home with easy remedies.

Allergies to specific materials or metals can cause your child to break out in a rash whenever they come into touch with such products. Nappies and pull up pants can also cause rashes in babies and toddlers.

Infections such as viruses, bacteria, or fungi can also cause rashes. Some rashes may indicate a dangerous medical problem so when in doubt, it’s best to seek professional medical advice.

When should you take your child to the doctor for a rash?

Some rashes do not go away on their own. If you are unable to determine the reason for your child’s rash and have further concerns, consult your child’s paediatrician or a dermatologist.

In general, you should consult a doctor if your child’s rash:

• Is accompanied by a fever, a loss of appetite, or uncomfortable urination
• Is unpleasant or itches so much that it interferes with your child’s sleep
• It makes it difficult for your youngster to participate in daily activities
• Even after using over-the-counter drugs, it lasts for more than three days
• It began soon after your child ate a new food
• It appears to be a bruise but is not the result of an injury
• It has a butterfly form and runs across your child’s nose and cheekbones
• It resembles a bull’s eye or is round
• It is more pronounced in skin wrinkles
• It is widespread, characterised by swollen, painful lymph nodes
• It appears as swelling around the mouth or face
• It causes breathing difficulties
• It is moist, crusty, blistered, or oozy
• It involves the eyes, or it is located inside the mouth or genital area

Good to know: Remember that any form of rash in a newborn under the age of six months always necessitates a visit to the doctor.