Itching for Summer
Knowing what skin problems might await your child outdoors can help you prevent them.
Kids are prone to particular skin problems during summer because of the hot humid climate. For instance, fungal growth is fostered in sweaty areas because it thrives in moist conditions. Children’s skin can also be quite sensitive to heat and overheating often aggravates itching in already affected areas.
Top Summer Skin Problems for Kids
Millaria. More commonly known as prickly, it is caused by the blocking of the flow of sweat from the sweat glands to the skin’s surface. “The sweat will look for another way to get out so it escapes into the skin.
Prickly heat manifests as tiny pink to red spots that can be intensely itchy and painful. In worse cases, the spots may sometimes appear as if they are infected with pus. The spots or bumps often show up on covered parts of the skin, especially where there is friction from clothing. The forehead, body folds, the upper back and chest, trunk, abdomen, and the arms are also common sites.
Mild cases may respond to dusting powders like cornstarch and talcum after bath. For moderate to severe cases, however, it’s best to bring your child to the dermatologist or pediatrician as mild topical and oral steroids may be prescribed.
Placing your child in a cool environment, preferably an airconditioned room will help ease prickly as well as frequent cool baths and light cotton clothing.
Intertigo. Also described as superficial inflammatory dermatitis, it’s an intensely red, macerated, glistening rash with scaling on the edges. This is commonly found among overweight or obese children and affected sites are usually creases of the neck, and other skin folds. Friction — the rubbing of skin against skin plus heat and moisture — result in redness that eventually leaves it macerated. Secondary infection by bacteria or fungi then occurs and patient may experience a burning, itchy sensation.
It’s recommended to bring your child immediately to the dermatologist who may prescribe antihistamines; anti-fungal therapy may also be prescribed.
At home, apply a saline compress to help dry affected areas. The procedure involves placing a gauze on top of the rash then slowly applying saline solution (available in drug stores) using a proper gauze, for 10 to 15 minutes three times a day.
Help prevent intertrigo by keeping skin folds clean and as dry as possible. Applying dusting powders in th folds after a bath will lessen friction in the skin and provide a cooling sensation to the patient. Dress your child in loose and soft clothing and underwear. For obese children, weight loss will help reduce the size of fat folds.
Impetigo contagiosa. It’s a bacterial infection caused by streptococcal bacterial organism. Impetigo starts as an elevated papule which becomes vesicular. The spots or blisters rupture and crust over with a characteristic golden yellowish crust. Scratching or touching the crust can easily spread the infection to other parts of th body and to other children or adults. The sores may be itchy but not painful.
Impertigo is often found in exposed areas of the body like the face, neck and hands. Common sources of the infection are pets, dirty finger nails and other kids in school. This must be managed through proper oral and topical antibiotics so it’s best to bring your child to the derma. Good hygiene is also needed: simply keeping your child’s skin clean and bacteria-free can help mild infections heal on their own.
Other precautions include cutting your child’s nails short to prevent scratching and washing infected child’s clothes, linens and towels every day. Remember not to share these with anyone else in your family to avoid spreading the infection.
Pityriasis versicolor. It is characterized by white to tan scaly patches in the skin. This is more often found in older children. Patients may experience mild to moderate itchiness. Pityriasis versicolor is caused by fungi and affects the superficial layer of the skin. Common affected sites are the back, upper arms or the abdomen.
Dermatologists will prescribe appropriate topical or oral antifungal medicines. I also ask my patients to use a loofah to scrub infected areas to remove the scales and promote faster healing. The problem with this is that the whitish patches take time to fade even if the infection has been treated.
To prevent pityriasis versicolor, keep your child’s skin dry and clean.
Sunburn. Although not a disease, sunburn is the single most common skin problem in young children during the summer months. With kids allowed to play outside the whole day, their skin is most vulnerable to the sun’s damaging rays. Parents should pay extra-attention because there is evidence that adults who have experienced serious sunburns during childhood are at greater risk of getting skin cancer later on.
Proper application of an SPF 30 sunblock 30 minutes before going out into the sun is still the best precaution. Limit your child’s exposure to the sun between 10 am and 3 pm. When going out, ensure that your child is properly covered up with a wide-brimmed hat or an umbrella to shield her from the sun.
If your child does get sunburned, it is advised applying an ice compress on the affected areas applying an ice compress on the affected areas during the first 24 hours. If the condition doesn’t improve, bring your child to the doctor. Don’t wait for the area to start getting blisters before going to your dermatologist. Severe redness already warrants a trip to the doctor who may prescribe topical steroids for inflammation and pain.
While these skin problems are most common during summer, you can help prevent them from spoiling your child’s vacation by a few precautions:
- It is vital to dress children in light clothes made of cotton so that they don’t get overheated. Give frequent cool baths. If your child can tolerate tap water, don’t use the water heater. Keep your child’s and don’t allow sweat to dry without properly wiping away or changing into dry, clean clothes.
- When afflicted with any of the skin diseases that cause itchiness, a general precaution is also to lessen your child’s intake of foods that are often associated with food allergies such as chicken, eggs, and seafood.
- Ensure family outings are fun yet hygienic by choosing beaches or public swimming pools that are clean. Remember that your family may be prone to contracting viral diseases and bacterial and fungal infections from dirty water. And when spending the day in the pool, be sure your child’s feet are clean and dry before putting on their socks and shoes to avoid skin infections.
- Finally, keep your child well-hydrated by encouraging him to drink lots of water. This not only helps prevent skin problem but also other heat-related diseases like heat exhaustion and heat stroke.
- Keep your home spic and span. If you have to, replace all your old dusty stuff like your beddings, area rugs, doormats, curtains, placemats, etc. A dirty house can put your children’s heath in danger. So make sure you put hygiene first before anything else. If you don’t want to leave your home you can can purchase your home things online. Superior Rugs is a site that offers the best kinds of quality rugs at very affordable prices. You can even get the oriental rugs to add style to your living room.
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