Chicken Pox
What is 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.
Chicken Pox Rashes
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.
Who gets Chicken Pox?
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.
Baby Rashes Pictures
Baby Rashes Review
 Cradle cap |
 Heat rash |
 Diaper rash |
Most newborns and toddlers end up with some type of baby rash. This can be anything from baby acne, heat rash, diaper rash, cradle cap, prickly heat or miliaria crystalline. Chicken pox and eczema are also common childhood afflictions. Most of these rashes are harmless and go away on their own.
Cradle cap, a common rash on a baby’s head, is usually easy to recognize, with symptoms that can include a scalp rash that is dry and flaky. It also appears as thick, greasy, yellow or brown scales. Other symptoms is it has red patches with crust and is sometimes itchy.
Treatment For Baby Rashes
For mild cradle cap, time is often the best treatment, as many children get better on their own.
If the baby has red skin around the diaper area, diaper rash is most likely the culprit. Most diaper rashes occur because of skin irritation due to diapers that are too tight; wet diapers left on for too long; or a particular brand of detergent, diapers, or baby wipes. Avoid it by keeping the diaper area open to the air as long as possible, changing your baby’s diaper as soon as it’s wet, washing with a warm cloth, and applying zinc oxide cream.
Baby acne gets its start in the womb, where baby is exposed to mom’s hormones. Those hormones increase oil production which in turn clogs baby’s oil glands. Pimples on baby’s nose and cheeks usually clear up by themselves in a few weeks. So you don’t need to treat baby acne or use lotion. If your child starts to get blisters on the body or face or limbs that then crust as new blisters appear, this is probably chicken pox.
Common Baby Rashes
Although having a heat rash is common in infants, it is likely not as common as many parents believe, who tend to call any red rash their baby has when it is hot outside a heat rash. As the name tends to imply, heat rash is triggered in certain children when they become overheated, either because they are overdressed or because it is simply too hot outside.
When comparing baby rashes pictures are a good way to identify which rash is which. Most baby rashes pictures will also include detailed descriptions that can be helpful in identifying the type of rash affecting your infant. It is common for some rashes to be confused with others. In the event there is still some doubt as to what you are dealing with it is a good idea to contact your doctor.
-Baby Rashes Pictures-
Toddler Rashes
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.
