Small pink dots, big red welts, all over or in one spot — rashes pop up for a wide variety of reasons and in a number of ways. If spots on your child’s skin have you concerned, taking a close look at how the rash appears can be a good start to figuring out what action you need to take.
Minor rashes
A lot of common rashes are caused by something that your child came into contact with, like poison ivy or bacteria. These kinds of rashes usually appear in one area rather than all over the body and include
• Impetigo
• Athlete’s foot
• Ringworm
• Poison ivy, oak, or sumac
They’re uncomfortable, and they need care, but they’re easily treatable and usually don’t cause serious illness.
Hives
Hives are a reaction to food (especially fish, shellfish, nuts, eggs, or peanuts), medications, or viruses. When a child has hives, you notice red, raised areas all over the skin or in a particular spot. The bumps might be unevenly sized and look a little like mosquito bites. In most cases, they itch, but some children get hives without itching.
You might never know what caused the hives. If they appear only in a small area of skin, chances are good that they arose because your child touched something — maybe a plant or a soap — that caused a reaction. If the hives show up all over your child’s body, a virus or something he or she ate is more likely the culprit.
Hives tend to run their course within three days. In the meantime, antihistamines can help with itching.
Sometimes, hives spread into deeper layers of skin and even into the digestive system and throat. If your child has hives and is wheezing or having trouble breathing, check in with your primary care provider right away.
Measles
Unfortunately, measles are starting to make a comeback because not everyone is getting immunized. The measles rash is a later indication of the infectious disease. It starts on the face and moves rapidly down the neck, arms, chest, back, and so on until it covers the body. The rash is made up of tiny red bumps that form large, red patches.
The measles rash follows 1-3 days of coldlike symptoms and comes with a high fever. If you suspect your child has measles, keep him or her away from other children or anyone who you know hasn’t been immunized, and call your primary care provider immediately.
If you are concerned about your child’s rash, speak with a registered nurse any time, day or night, by calling 317-338-KIDS, or click here to request a nurse callback now.
