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Toddler Rashes

Toddler rashes can be symptoms of many different ailments. It is hard to determine exactly what it may be unless a visit to the pediatrician is planned.  By doing a little research you may be able to get a general idea of what potentially could be causing the rash.

Diaper rash, Fifth disease Scarlet fever, Roseola, Eczema and Hives are all childhood afflictions very frequent in newborns and toddlers.  Unfortunately, diaper rash is common until a child is completely out of diapers. The skin may become red and itchy and your toddler may be irritable. It can be treated easily.

A symptom of fifth disease is a pink or red rash that may look like lace. It appears on the cheeks and/or arms. Fifth disease needs to be treated by a doctor. Scarlet fever often accompanies strep throat and a fever. The rash will likely feel rough and may or may not be felt by the toddler.

Roseola is a red rash that generally follows the breaking of a fever due to a viral infection. It is not serious. Eczema is a broad term used for skin rashes of different natures. It often occurs in toddlers with sensitive skin. Triggers may be identified by the parent or a pediatrician and treated. Hives may appear as a rash or welts on the skin. These are often caused by an allergic reaction. They can be serious and may require a visit to the doctor.

Heat rash is also known as prickly heat or summer rash.  It is one of the most common toddler rashes.  It is an eruption of little bumps on the skin that can show up when a child overheats. The bumps may appear red, especially on light skin. Heat rash is not painful but it can be very itchy and annoying. It also is a sign that your toddler is over heated.

Symptoms to watch for are a pimply rash on neck, chest, stomach, back, under arms, or near edges of diaper or clothing. Tiny blisters will also accompany this rash.  If your toddler gets too warm or has too many layers of clothing on and develops a rash you can start by cooling your toddler off.  Loosen or remove any clothing. Move the toddler into a cool room or a shady spot. Allow your child to air dry instead of rubbing him with a towel.  Using ointments or creams on the rash is not recommended.  These can make the toddler rash worse.

Chicken Pox

Chicken pox is a highly contagious viral infection caused by the varicella virus. Chicken pox is a disease of childhood and ninety percent of cases occur in children aged fourteen years and younger. Chicken pox can occur at any time, but occurs most often in March, April, and May in warmer climates. Chicken pox is typically diagnosed clinically based on the history of viral symptoms and the characteristic appearance of the rash. However, sometimes chicken pox can be confused with herpes simplex, impetigo, insect bites, or scabies.

Most people are aware of the rash, but chicken pox starts out looking just like a common cold. Runny nose, sneezing, cough, and fever are typical first symptoms of chicken pox. Three to five days later the rash shows up.

The rash itself appears as dots ranging from the size of an eraser head to about the size of a dime. Within each of these dots is a fluid filled vesicle which may pop over the course of the following days. The lesions may be painful, itch, or not be bothersome at all. They may be found anywhere on the skin, in the mouth and within the vaginal area and even unseen within the penis. Urination may be painful because of this.

The most contagious time occurs when the person is manifesting the cold-like symptoms.  This happens usually two to five days before the rash appears. As a result the time in which someone is most contagious occurs before the person even knows he has chicken pox.  After the rash appears, the person is infectious for about five days or until all the lesions have begun crusting over.

Humans are the only animals that get chicken pox. So the only way to catch it is by being around a person who is infected. The virus is spread through secretions and by tiny droplets, so sharing saliva, sneezing, and coughing are good ways to pass the virus from one person to another.

Children with immune problems can have significant problems if infected with chicken pox. These include those children infected with HIV, the virus that causes AIDS, those with cancer, those on steroids for other illnesses, and newborn babies.

There is not a lot that can be done to completely eliminate the symptoms once a child is infected with chicken pox. Most treatment is then aimed at trying to alleviate the pain, itch, and fever associated with chicken pox.

Heat Rash Skin Condition

Heat rash is also called miliaria. Heat rash is most common in babies and young infants when they become overheated.  This happens either because it is too warm outside or they are simply overdressed.  It could also be because they have a fever.  Miliaria profunda occurs in people who have experienced repeated episodes of prickly heat.

Prickly heat, which is also known as miliaria rubra, is the most common type of heat rash. In this form of heat rash, the sweat duct becomes red and inflamed and manifest as small bumps with a red halo around them. They can be found grouped together inside the folds of his or her skin, such as the neck, armpits, and groin.

Miliaria crystallina is another type of heat rash. In this particular rash the skin doesn’t get inflamed, leading to the standard appearance of small clear vesicles. These are without any redness or other symptoms.

If a rash blanches when pressure is put on it, this is an erythematous rash and is not usually an urgent problem. Erythematous skin rashes may be caused by any number of things such as a viral skin rash, eczema, diaper (nappy) rash, thrush, heat rash, slapped cheek disease and seborrheic dermatitis, which includes cradle cap. Other examples are Hand foot and mouth disease, which starts with red spots that blister and erythema toxicum is a rash most often seen in newborn babies.

If the rash does not blanch when pressed, it is called a petechial rash.  Seek medical attention urgently especially if the rash is appearing before your eyes or your child has a fever.  Not every petechial rash is serious but it could be a severe condition like meningococcal infection, so if your baby or toddler has a petechial rash, it s a good idea to get it checked out immediately.

A newborn’s skin is prone to rashes of all sorts, but luckily most of these rashes are harmless and go away on their own. Although heat rash is one of those that usually goes away on its own in a few days, some children do require treatment, which can include:

·         removing the child from the rash causing environment, such as dressing in less clothing, moving inside to a cooler, air conditioned environment, etc.

·         mild strength topical steroids, although these usually aren’t needed

·         calamine lotion

·         compresses with cool water

·         antibiotics for secondary infections

Roseola – Causes and Information

Roseola is a mild viral illness of sudden onset and short duration that most commonly affects young children. Roseola is most common in children 6 to 24 months of age. The average age is around 9 months. Less frequently, older children, teens, and adults may be infected.

Roseola was once called the sixth disease because it was the sixth disease young children typically developed and it lasted about six days. There is usually a rash associated with Roseola, but you will not see it at the onset. When the fever disappears, then the rash appears. The rash is mainly located on the neck and body, especially, the abdomen, trunk, and back, but it can also be on the arms and legs.

The rash appears as separate little raised dots (papules) or as a flat or macular rash. The skin is mildly red in color and temporarily blanches with pressure. The rash is not itchy or painful. It is not contagious. The rash lasts two to four days and does not return.

This illness is spread from person to person, most likely by transfer of oral secretions. Roseola is not very contagious. The incubation period between exposure to the virus and onset of symptoms is nine to ten days. Roseola is primarily caused by a virus called human herpes virus 6 (HHV-6) and less commonly by human herpes virus 7 (HHV-7).  The viruses belong to the family of herpes viruses, but they do not cause the cold sores or genital infections that herpes simplex viruses can cause.

Roseola often begins with a sudden high fever usually 103 F to 105 F. The fever may last two to three days, although it can last as long as 8 days. The rapid increase in temperature may be the first sign of Roseola and often occurs before you realize that your child has a fever. The fever ends as suddenly as it occurs.

After the fever ends, a rosy pink rash may appear mostly on the trunk or torso, neck, and arms. The rash is not itchy and may last one to two days. In rare cases, a sore throat, stomach ache, vomiting, and diarrhea may occur.

A child with Roseola may appear fussy or irritable and may have a decreased appetite, but most children behave almost normally. If you wish to treat the fever, acetaminophen products like Tylenol and others can be used to lower a fever. Aspirin should never be used for fever in children or adolescents.

Antifungal Rash Ringworm

A group of many microorganisms, including a group of yeast species called Malassezia, live more or less undetected on our skin.  The yeast can alter its shape under particular circumstances from a round or oval yeast form to a more string-like, branching rash. The yeast can travel under the skin and generate an acidic substance. This substance can alter the level of pigment or color in new skin cells.  The yeast causes a fungal infection or rash, ringworm.

Arms, hands, neck, legs, feet, etc. are all areas ringworm likes to target because rash ringworm usually occurs on the body parts that are exposed.  The normal appearance is that they form circular growths that may vary darker or lighter than the normal skin color.  Symptoms may include skin lesion, rash and itching of the infected area. Ringworm infections are common where conditions are unsanitary and crowded with people.

Most people who become infected with fungal rash ringworm are in good health. If you are taking a corticosteroid medication such as prednisone for another health problem there is a higher risk of contracting an infection.  It is also seen more often in women who are taking some form of birth control pills. This is also this case for women who are pregnant.  An over-the-counter antifungal cream or ointment is the usual treatment for ringworm, except for tinea capitis, which is much more difficult to treat and often requires several months of an oral medication. Even with the use of a antifungal rash ringworm and other skin infections could reoccur.

Ringworm is a highly contagious skin infection.  This infection can affect both animals and humans.  The rash may be mildly irritating, but sometimes it is very itchy and inflamed. The rash may vary depending on which type of fungus causes the infection. Sometimes fungal skin infections look similar to other skin rashes, such as psoriasis.  The fungi can travel around the body in the blood stream which enables them to spread to the warm, moist areas of the body. This gives rise to vaginal Candidiasis, Jock itch and an array of other problems both inside and outside of the body.  What happens when the rash starts to develop is a small area of infected skin will spread outwards. It typically develops into a circular, red, inflamed patch of skin. It is rarely serious, but in most cases requires treatment of some kind.

Antifungal Ringworm Athletes Foot

Ringworm Athlete’s foot and other such fungal infections of the skin are caused by superficial fungal infections of the skin, known as dermatophytes. These are some of the most common contracted self-treatable minor medical conditions. As opposed to more serious fungal conditions, such as candidiasis or sporotrichosis, dermatophytes are limited to the upper layer of skin, where they subsist on the dead skin cells called keratin.

Ringworm is not caused by a worm or other parasite.  Fungi are present everywhere in our environment, including on the human body. They thrive in warm, moist areas, such as locker rooms and swimming pools, and in skin folds. In most cases, they are easy to eradicate.  Ringworm of the skin is most commonly caused by the fungus Trichophyton rubrum, which spreads from one person to another. It can also be caused by Microsporum canis, which is spread by cats and dogs. This type is less common but causes a more severe infection.

Some people are more likely susceptible to fungal infections than others. The tendency to get fungal skin infections or to have them return after treatment seems to run in families. In spite of the use of an antifungal ringworm athlete’s foot can be a recurring problem.  Common in male athletes, but the general population is also susceptible to this fungal infection. Ringworm is common among wrestlers, probably because of the skin-to-skin contact. Using public showers and locker rooms will greatly increase the odds of someone contracting Athlete’s foot.

Fungi grow best in steamy locker rooms.  These places are filled with damp towels, sweaty workout clothes, and wet floors.  Sharing contaminated items like towels, clothing, and sports equipment, and by direct contact with an infected person is a dangerous practice when trying to avoid the spread of ringworm athlete’s foot. Most ringworm infections cause a rash that may be peeling, cracking, scaling, itching, and red. Sometimes the infection can form blisters, especially on the feet.  While extremely annoying, athlete’s foot usually is not serious, but secondary bacterial infection are something to be concerned about. Coming down with a secondary infection is a hazard that can sometimes accompany the fungal infection.

These secondary complications may develop as such things as breaks in the skin, open sores, ulcers.   A ringworm infection of the groin or “jock itch” is often passed to other body parts by unsuspecting patients by accidentally spreading athlete’s foot fungus to the groin area.  People with athlete’s foot also commonly spread it to their hands.  This is called tinea manuum.

Antifungal Lotrimin AF Ringworm

Over-the-counter antifungal products come in a variety of forms, such as cream, lotion, powder, and spray. Cream and lotion antifungal products are preferred for ringworm infections on the body.  Athlete’s foot is a rash that occurs on the soles of the feet and the skin between the toes. It is the most common fungal infection in the United States and is estimated to affect up to 70% of the world’s population at some time in their life.  Ringworm athlete’s foot is common worldwide in adults of both sexes and all races. Powder and spray products are more suitable for athlete’s foot. There are several products available without a prescription. A nonprescription antifungal cream with miconazole or clotrimazole is an option of the available choices. Some of the brand names include Micatin, Tinactin, Monistat, and Lotrimin.You should apply these products to the affected area twice daily for at least four weeks. Improvement is usually gradual.

In most cases the infection can be eliminated with creams like antifungal Lotrimin AF, ringworm is no exception. These creams have active ingredients that help to condense the fungi to normal levels.  Although in some cases an oral medication may be the preferred treatment for certain types of infections.  Examine other persons in the family as well as pets as a possible source of the infection.  If you find that other family members or pets are infected it is necessary to treat them also.

Ringworm is an infection of the skin caused by a fungus.  It is found on the skin, involving the face, trunk, arms, or legs.  Dermatophytes feed on the dead skin cells called keratin.  They are superficial infections that live on, not in, the skin.  They are confined to the dead skin layers and are not able to survive in the deeper layers.  Ringworm is spread by direct personal contact with infected persons or animals.

Be sure to use the products exactly as directed and to keep the skin area dry and clean. Directions should always be followed for the specific antifungal cream you use. Unless your condition is not improving within a few days of use, you should continue to use the antifungal cream for the length of time recommended. If it is obvious that a condition is not improving, a variation of strength of the active ingredient may be needed. Another option is try a different antifungal ingredient. Many have different strengths and will have recommendations for length of use.

Lice Pictures – Miniature Marvels!
One good way of diagnosing an infestation of head lice is to look at pictures of the creatures, and there are many available on the internet and in books, in order to know what these miniature beasts look like.
Of course, getting a good picture of a creature that is no bigger than the head of pin is clearly very difficult, and pictures of nits – the eggs – even more so, so how is it done? Then technology behind lice pictures is one of the wonders of photography, and it is used to take pictures of miniature creatures and objects on a regular basis.
Using a high tech camera system with a microscope is the best way, as this enlarges the image in order to create a viable photograph. Camera technology in the digital age allows for manipulation on computers, so it is often the case that the image will be enhanced by using advanced digital mastery.
Looking at a picture of a head louse gives a clear indication of how the creature lives: looking like a tiny ant or fly, but without wings, one method of getting an idea of the small size of the creature to the viewer is to picture it alongside a known object, something small such as a coin or a finger.
It is also useful to picture the lice on the head, and advanced and very clever video technology helps to achieve this aim. Being able to see lice moving on the head is a great help to diagnosis, and enables mistakes such as misidentifying dandruff as lice less common.
Head lice are a hardy breed, and knowing exactly what they look like can only be a bonus to us all; that photographs of such tiny creatures can be taken with such relative ease shows just how far we have come in the last few decades. Consider that, when first identified, practiced scholars would have drawn detailed pictures of lice for printing in scientific journals of the day, creating intricate and accurate representations using only a magnifying glass and drawing implements; today, a camera can do the job for us, and we can manipulate it beyond all thoughts with a computer.
In terms of aiding head lice treatment such help with identifying these creatures is vital, and an accurate depiction of the head lice life cycle is also able to be portrayed in print and on screen.

Head Lice Symptoms – Knowing the Tell Tale Signs
Recognizing that you have head lice, or that your child is infected, is important as these creatures are very easily spread. However, the fact remains that a head louse has no wings and cannot fly, meaning the only way it can move from person to person is by walking from hair to hair: those groups of people who have close physical contact – children notably – are therefore the most likely to be infected, and this explains why the head lice problem is particularly prevalent in schools.
Let’s have a look at a few of the main head lice symptoms: the first and most obvious one is incessant itching of the scalp, and this is caused as the lice pierce the skin to feed on our blood. It is important to understand that the itching is rarely noticed straight away, however, and that lice may have been feeding for several days before itching is felt. This is why one of the many recommended head lice home remedies is regular combing with a nit comb, an also why frequent examination is a prevention technique of some success.
Nevertheless, if your suspect lice are present thanks to itching then an examination will help you to confirm the problem: it may be that you can see the lice moving around – and there are lice pictures available, easily accessed on the internet, to help you correctly identify them – or that you notice specks of what appear to be dandruff, or fallen insects, after brushing or combing. The head lice life cycle is such that the population will spread very quickly indeed if not treated, for a female louse can live for a month, and in that time she may lay up to eight eggs on each day.
While on the subject of lice it is also worth noting that pubic lice prevention techniques involve the same regular examination, and while these infestations are less common and not so easily spread, they are treated in a similar manner.
Once you have a good understanding of the symptoms associated with head lice it means you can take action quickly when you suspect that an infestation is underway: making sure the infected patient is kept away from others, an treatment with such home remedies that are recommended – the nit comb, plus various herbal and natural methods that can be found – is essential in order to stop the creatures from spreading out of control.

Ringworm (Tinea corporis) is the name used for superficial skin infections of the trunk, legs or arms of a dermatophyte fungus. Dermatophytes are a group of related fungi that infect and survive on the top layer of the epidermis or skin called the keratin.  Ringworm is a skin infection caused by this fungus that can affect the scalp, skin, fingers, toenails or feet.

There are three groups of fungi that cause skin infection of this type and can be categorized according to their preferred host sources:

* geophile or fungi from soil sources
* zoophile or fungi from animals
* anthropophile or fungi from humans

The fungi transmitted primarily through contact with animals or zoophile is usually responsible for ringworm (tinea corporis).  It is usually transmitted through contact with animals such as dogs, cats, calves, hamsters, and guinea pigs.

Most mammals have at least one type of fungus, and in most instances the animal and fungus coexist without the animal ever manifesting any symptoms of the fungus. This does not mean that the fungus cannot be transmitted to humans.

Children are particularly vulnerable to ringworm (tinea corporis) and can pass it effortlessly to other children.  Adults are not immune and can also become infected.  Persons who fall in the high risk category are farmers and people who work with animals that have fur.

The term tinea corporis is the medical term for ringworm, which refers to round or oval red scaly patches on the skin.  They are often seen to be less red and scaly in the middle or even look healed at the center.  It is common for one ring to develop inside another preexisting ring.

Ringworm may be acute which means there is a sudden onset and it rapidly spreads.  Or it could be chronic which is a slow broadening of a mild, minimally inflamed, rash.  Most often it affects exposed areas but could also spread from other infected sites. Non-fungal conditions that resemble ringworm include impetigo, Seborrhoeic dermatitis, Psoriasis, Discoid eczema, Lichen simplex, Contact allergic dermatitis and Pityriasis rosea.

Acute ringworm shows up as itchy inflamed red patches that may be pustular.  Chronic ringworm is more likely to be found in body folds.  Acute ringworm has a tendency to be stubborn to treat and prone to recurrence if widespread.  Lessening of natural skin resistance to fungi or because of re-infection from the environment could possibly be the reason for this recurrence.