How to recognize and treat childhood skin diseases

Contact dermatitis

Contact dermatitis in children is a disease characterized by skin lesions of varying severity and types. The very name of the disease implies that the child has come into contact with some irritant.

Contact dermatitis in children is a disease characterized by skin lesions of varying severity and types. The very name of the disease implies that the child has come into contact with some irritant. There are two types of contact dermatitis:

• simple (more common and easier to cure);
• allergic (slow reaction of the body that occurs due to exposure to an allergen);

Both types of the disease can occur in 3 forms:

• acute;
• chronic;
• subacute (when symptoms are less pronounced than in the acute form);

What does diaper dermatitis look like?

Diapers are often the cause of skin hyperemia in babies. what diaper dermatitis (photo 2). To do this, you need to remember the main symptoms: redness appears on the buttocks, in the inguinal folds, and perineum. The disease may manifest itself as slight redness of the skin, but sometimes deep lesions occur. Sometimes small bubbles or peeling are present.

Diaper dermatitis in boys (photo below) is less common than in girls. This is due to the peculiarity of the structure of the genitals. Artificial feeding often causes allergic dermatitis in children, which can cause redness and swelling all over the body.

What is contact dermatitis

Contact dermatitis is a disease that is characterized by the appearance in a child of various symptoms directly related to deformation of the skin. It can be:

• Redness, rashes, peeling
• Itching of the affected areas, their pain
• Lack of sensitivity when pressing on inflamed skin

Important!

This disease is characterized by a seasonal nature, its manifestations are especially often observed in winter.

The development of the disease occurs in stages, passing through several stages:

• Erythremal (characterized by the appearance of only swelling and redness on the child’s skin)
• Vesicular-painful stage, in which pustules are added to the previous symptoms, as a result of violation of the integrity of which, ulcers are formed
• Necrotic (in which scabs form from ulcers, which then leave scars on the skin)

Based on the nature of the course of this disease, it is divided into two types:

Acute contact dermatitis appears immediately, the moment the child’s skin touches the irritant. It is characterized by severe symptoms. Despite this, they are easily eliminated immediately after identifying the causes of their occurrence.

The chronic form occurs as a result of repeated contact of the child with something that has already led to damage to his skin. It is characterized by an exacerbation, which is already quite difficult to cure.

Diaper dermatitis in children

The disease can occur in the first week of life. Diaper dermatitis in children (photo 3) is caused by under-dried diapers, poorly rinsed or washed with inappropriate powders. Simultaneous exposure to feces and urine plays a huge role in the development of the disease.

Against the background of diaper rash, atopic dermatitis may also appear in children if there is a hereditary predisposition. Diaper dermatitis can often recur, each time in an increasingly aggressive form. If the protective barrier function of the skin is impaired and dermatitis appears in children, treatment is carried out immediately.

Effective methods of traditional medicine

The most popular: chamomile, calendula, oak bark, string, sage, St. John's wort.

Herbs are brewed individually or together. They are added during bathing and applied as lotions to the affected areas of the skin. It is recommended not to cover the skin during the compress; after the procedure, allow the infusion to be absorbed into the skin. The calculation of herbs is taken from the ratio of 2 tablespoons to 1 glass of water. The herbs should be brewed for at least 15-30 minutes.

The use of tea tree oil has shown high effectiveness. It is added to other oily formulations. Can be mixed with tar oil. For the procedure, it is enough to use 2-3 drops of tea tree oil. It has a strong antiseptic and anti-inflammatory effect.

Onion compress. It is recommended for use in cases where the skin is not only inflamed, but also has wounds. Onion mass has an antiseptic effect and minimizes the risk of infection. To obtain a compress, grind a medium-sized onion to form a juicy paste. Add 1 teaspoon of burdock oil to it. The resulting mass is applied to the affected areas under a bandage for 30 minutes.

Diaper candidiasis dermatitis

If areas of bright red color with pustules appear on the child’s body, then candidiasis diaper dermatitis (photo 4). Most often, the manifestation of this type of disease occurs in the first year. Candidal dermatitis has its own characteristic signs:

• natural folds become covered with miliaria;
• urination when the perineum is affected causes crying;
• manifestation of blisters, cheesy coating.

Diaper dermatitis can become infected with a fungus. The location of pustules in the folds of the skin resembles seborrheic dermatitis in infants, but a mistake can be costly. To clarify the diagnosis, consultation with a specialist is required.

First aid for illness

To reduce the discomfort caused by dermatitis, it is recommended to do the following:

1. Eliminate the provoking factor. The most common cause of the disease is cosmetic skin care products or wearing underwear made of synthetic fabrics; less often, damage to the skin of the buttocks occurs due to bacteria and viruses. You need to wear cotton underwear, and use children's anti-allergenic cosmetics for hygiene. It is very important that in case of dermatitis, the buttock area is not compressed by tight-fitting outerwear.
2. Nutrition correction. It is worth giving up foods containing preservatives, reducing the amount of fatty, spicy and fried foods on the menu (it is better to completely avoid these foods during treatment).
3. Fight itching. Antihistamines reduce swelling, itching and other discomfort. For long-term treatment, the doctor will select antiallergic drugs, but as first aid you can take Suprastin or Diazolin, without exceeding the dosage indicated in the instructions. Additionally, it is recommended to take herbal sedatives (motherwort or valerian) to reduce irritability caused by discomfort from dermatitis.
4. The use of non-hormonal ointments. A good effect at the initial stage of the disease is provided by the use of Zinc ointment, Eplan or Bepanten. In the early stages of pathology, these ointments have a good therapeutic effect, eliminating swelling, relieving irritation and promoting skin regeneration.
5. Using traditional medicine recipes. Baths with sage, chamomile, calendula or oak bark will soothe irritated skin and speed up wound healing.

It is not recommended to use other self-help products. Drug therapy is selected by a dermatologist taking into account the form of the disease.

Dermatitis is an unpleasant disease that requires immediate help. All treatment methods can be divided into several categories.

1. Compliance with personal hygiene rules. In this case, it is necessary to regularly cleanse the skin. You should avoid products with perfume compositions. Soap must be hypoallergenic. You can use children's cosmetics. The skin must breathe regularly. Therefore, it is recommended to wear loose clothing in the buttock area.
2. Diet food. To treat dermatitis, it is necessary to avoid allergens. You should adhere to a proper diet, in which there is no place for fried, salted, smoked foods, semi-finished products and products containing dyes and preservatives.
3. Antihistamines. These remedies help relieve allergy symptoms. They relieve swelling, reduce itching and other unpleasant sensations. In case of mild symptoms, this is enough for treatment. The following products have shown high effectiveness: Zodak, Fenistil, Suprastin and other products.
4. Non-hormonal drugs. In the early stages of the disease, it is recommended to use drugs that promote skin regeneration, relieve irritation, soothe and nourish. The most effective drug was Bepanten, Eplan, Zinc ointment.
5. Corticosteroid ointments. These drugs belong to the category of hormonal. They are divided according to the strength of impact into weak, moderate and strong. A hormonal drug can only be prescribed by the attending physician, depending on the form of the disease. Most often used for dermatitis: Advantan, Akriderm, Fucicort and others.
6. Calming teas and medications. Skin irritation can be caused by nervous tension. Therefore, it is important to put the nervous system in order. Experts recommend taking sedatives along with the main methods of treating dermatitis.
7. Comprehensive examination. To exclude a recurrence of gluteal dermatitis, it is necessary to undergo an examination. It will allow you to identify violations in the functioning of internal organs and undergo treatment in a timely manner.

Dermatitis on the butt of a child

The most common location of skin ailments is the buttocks. Dermatitis on a child’s bottom (photo 5) manifests itself for a variety of reasons: a reaction to powder, overheating. No matter how dermatitis manifests itself in children, most symptoms are common: itching, increased sensitivity, burning.

Any irritation on the child’s buttocks may mean that a diaper type of disease is developing. Often, dermatitis on a child’s bottom is a good basis for the proliferation of additional infections. If it repeats too often, you need to contact a specialist.

Diaper dermatitis in children

Dermatitis from diapers affects the area of ​​the buttocks and genitals, where the diaper comes into contact with the skin. The main symptom of the disease is severe inflammation. Diaper dermatitis (photo 6) can cause small wounds to appear.

The wrong diaper size causes contact dermatitis in babies, where the skin suffers injury caused by friction. A child diagnosed with diaper dermatitis constantly shows anxiety and often cries. In addition, he tries by any means to get rid of the diaper.

What does diaper dermatitis look like in newborns?

As a result of improper care, diaper dermatitis occurs in newborns (photo 7). Bright red spots have irregular edges. Further development of the disease leads to peeling, weeping, and the appearance of pustules.

The disease in newborns is provoked by wet diapers, lack of skin breathing, infrequent washing of diapers, and irregular hygiene procedures. Treatment of diaper dermatitis in children should be carried out immediately, without waiting for the appearance of pustules, gray crusts and ulcers, which will harm health.

Treatment of diaper dermatitis

The fight against this type of dermatitis does not have to be carried out in a hospital setting. Treatment of diaper dermatitis in children at home is an important issue. Some important points should be observed:

• after emptying, the diaper is removed immediately;
• the child is washed away;
• You can only use special soap;
• the skin is gently blotted;
• apply a special cream.

Treatment of diaper dermatitis involves taking air baths. This is one of the prerequisites for the skin to naturally dry, breathe, and rest. To get rid of the disease, treatment is carried out with ointments with zinc oxide. Ointments are used as astringents, protective, antiseptic, against fungi - different types of dermatitis require the use of a specific product. Treatment of dermatitis complicated by infection is carried out with corticosteroids prescribed by the pediatrician.

Allergic skin lesions

Allergic contact dermatitis is a very common disease, especially in children in the first 3 years of life. From the first weeks of life, almost every baby has reddened cheeks and spots on other parts of the body. The most common occurrences in children are:

• atopic dermatitis;
• allergic seborrheic dermatitis;
• eczema;
• hives;
• allergic neurodermatitis (not always, but often contact);

Causes of allergic skin dermatitis

Allergic dermatitis is an inadequate reaction to a quite common irritant. In childhood, any substance can act as such an irritant. This happens due to insufficiently adjusted defense mechanisms in children. Later, when the functions of the liver and other organs are fully performed, the same allergen will no longer give such a strong reaction as it provoked in infancy.

The internal (biological) cause of these diseases is the body's increased sensitivity to allergens. It is not always possible to correctly determine the external root cause of an allergic reaction, since a fairly long period of time passes from the moment of contact with the allergen until visible manifestations occur. Treatment will not be effective if the root cause of the disease is not detected in time. The list of allergens is quite extensive:

• Plant allergens (pollen and plants themselves);
• Metals (of which the most allergenic are nickel, cobalt, copper and mercury). These metals are part of coins and household items;
• Chemicals that make up rubber;
• Medicines. Strong allergens for children are some substances included in medications for external use (drops for eyes, nose, ointments, local painkillers);
• Tar;
• Wax;
• Acrylic;

Symptoms of the disease

The allergic and simple types of the disease have similar manifestations, however, in the case of allergic reactions, the symptoms are more pronounced. Redness, itching, weeping and swelling also occur. Another difference between the two types of the disease is that allergic dermatitis can be located on the skin not only at the site of contact with the allergen, but also spread to other areas. The most common type of disease in children is eczema. Treatment is prescribed by a doctor: if the allergen is identified in time, then treatment consists of eliminating the child’s contact with the irritating factor.

Eczema in children may have a hereditary cause, or may also arise as a result of the child's constitutional predisposition. This allergic dermatitis can first appear in a baby at 3 months of life and last up to one and a half to two years.

Therapy for allergic skin lesions

As with simple dermatitis, allergic dermatitis is treated first by removing the irritant (in this case, the allergen) from the patient's environment. Treatment consists of keeping contact with the substance that caused the reaction to a minimum, or better yet, to zero.

In case of infection, it is necessary to lubricate the affected areas of the skin with ointments and liquids prescribed by the pediatrician (Kostellani liquid helps well, provided there is no hypersensitivity to the drug). Treatment of the allergy itself in severe cases is carried out with histoglobulin. Glucocorticoids should be used with great caution - at the slightest hint of a negative reaction with these drugs, treatment with them should be stopped immediately.

Probiotics and herbal sedatives (valerian, peony) are prescribed for oral administration. If a bacterial infection is associated with dermatitis, antifungal drugs are prescribed.

Use some remedies as temporary measures. You can apply a compress of raw potatoes. To do this, the potatoes must be peeled, grated, the resulting paste applied to the affected area and secured with a bandage for 2 hours. Air baths are good for any dermatitis.

Prevention

Allergic dermatitis, as can be seen in the photo, has pronounced manifestations, but is not a particularly life-threatening disease for children unless it is too acute and does not become chronic. To prevent undesirable consequences, parents need to carefully monitor the condition of the baby’s skin and, at the slightest manifestation, apply proper treatment.

The allergic type of dermatitis develops not only as a result of children’s contact with an allergen, but also depends on a combination of factors that form immunity. A healthy child who is constantly in the fresh air and lives indoors with optimal humidity and temperature is less susceptible to inappropriate skin reactions.

Types and symptoms

1. Allergic. It is caused by the impact on the body of allergens (foods, plant pollen) that enter and accumulate in the body. In case of a severe allergic reaction, local manifestations are complemented by general symptoms - lacrimation, swelling of the nasal passages, runny nose.
2. Contact. It develops when the skin comes into direct contact with allergens and irritating substances (for example, when using low-quality or inappropriate cosmetics).
3. Photodermatitis. Inflammation resulting from exposure of sensitive skin to sunlight. Increased skin sensitivity to ultraviolet radiation can be caused by a lack of melanin pigment in the skin, taking certain medications that increase photosensitivity, vitamin deficiency and other conditions that are accompanied by decreased immunity.
4. Seborrheic. Occurs due to disruption of sebaceous jelly. It mainly affects the scalp, but can also spread to the face. In the dry form of seborrheic dermatitis, severe dryness and flaking of the skin are noted, while in the oily form, red, inflamed lesions are observed.
5. Atopic. Chronic inflammation, characterized by persistent recurrent course. The triggering factor for the development of the disease is allergies and hereditary predisposition.
6. Oral. It is characterized by redness, peeling of the skin, and the appearance of a rash (and in severe cases, weeping lesions) only around the mouth.

• redness and swelling of inflamed areas;
• severe itching;
• peeling;
• rash;
• discharge of serous or purulent contents with severe inflammation and infectious complications.

If dermatitis develops on the face, treatment with ointments and creams is mandatory. However, in severe forms of inflammation, local treatment alone is not enough. The use of external agents is supplemented with the use of systemic antihistamines and hormonal drugs.

Causes

Babies are easy prey for this disease: their skin is very delicate, their immunity is not strong enough, and their thermoregulation functions are still imperfect.
In addition, many children have an allergy or a predisposition to it, which makes the skin even more vulnerable.

The immediate causes of diaper dermatitis are as follows:

• “greenhouse effect” - high temperature and humidity under the diaper;
• lack of air access to the skin under diapers and nappies;
• rubbing them, as well as clothes, on the body (this happens especially often if parents made a mistake with the size of the diaper or put it on incorrectly);
• the presence of various irritating components in urine and feces (for example, ammonia, salts);
• poorly selected creams and powders that cause inflammation on the baby’s skin;
• infection by pathogenic microorganisms, fungi.

According to experts, hygiene is the most important thing in caring for your baby.

The disease will not be long in coming if parents keep the baby in wet diapers for a long time, rarely change diapers, do not bother washing clothes, but only dry them, and do not regularly organize water treatments for the child.

Features of therapy

Parents often ask pediatricians and dermatologists how to treat contact dermatitis in children. Many drugs are prohibited for use at this age. Breasts have weak immunity, and any incorrectly selected drug can increase the manifestation of allergies or cause other pathologies. Therefore, self-medication is prohibited.

The first thing doctors advise is to avoid contact with irritants and allergens in your home. The situation is simplified if the diagnosis has established the cause of the rash. Only after this, the dermatologist begins to treat contact dermatitis in the baby. Most therapeutic methods are based on the use of:

• Anti-inflammatory agents for external use. Such drugs relieve swelling, itching and accelerate skin restoration processes. For infants, Fenistil and Gistan are most often used.
• Hormonal creams and ointments. Such products for external use are used with caution, without violating the doctor’s recommendations. Among such creams and ointments, Advantan and Cutivate are popular.
• Warm baths with camphor and ichthyol. This method of therapy relieves itching and moisturizes damaged skin.

Hormonal drugs are most often prescribed only if there are no positive results in therapy with conventional creams and ointments. If the dermatitis is not allergic in nature, but was caused by friction with clothing, shoes, toys and other objects, the attending physician may recommend the drug Cynovit to the parents. This cream does not contain substances harmful to the baby's health. The healing properties are characterized by the high content of zinc and licorice root extract in the cream. “Cinovit” is effective not only in mild forms of dermatitis, but also in cases of secondary infection. But its disadvantage is the lack of positive results in the treatment of allergic dermatitis.

The allergic form of contact dermatitis requires the use of drugs for both external and oral use. Treatment of the pathology is impossible without stopping the allergic reaction, so the doctor may prescribe antihistamines. When a bacterial infection occurs, antibiotics are used.

Advantan helps against childhood contact dermatitis