5 Common Rashes Children Bring Home from Preschool

Skin rashes can be uncomfortable and even painful, especially in young children. Just sending your child off to school each day increases the likelihood that they’ll return home with an illness or itchy skin rash.

At American Pediatrics, our experienced medical team specializes in diagnosing and treating common childhood skin rashes. Our providers also offer strategies you can use to lower your child’s risk for additional rashes and complications like skin damage and scarring.

What to know about skin rashes

Skin rashes can affect your child’s skin in different ways. Children with a rash often experience skin redness, itchiness, and swelling. Some rashes can also cause painful bumps or blisters on the skin’s surface.

The root cause of skin rashes varies. Children with allergies can be prone to skin rashes if they touch an allergen or are exposed to them in their environment. Your child may also get a skin rash like ringworm or chickenpox from physical contact with an infected friend.

Children with a weak immune system or other health issues may be more likely to develop skin rashes than others. Your child’s existing health can also affect the severity of their rash symptoms.

5 common childhood rashes

Most kids will develop some type of rash in childhood. Any new rash can spark concerns in parents, especially when their children are still very young.  Luckily, our team has extensive experience diagnosing and treating all types of skin rashes common in childhood, including:

1.Eczema

Eczema is a chronic condition that causes dry, scaly skin. Symptoms of eczema can flare up due to stress, weather changes, swimming, and overheating. Your child may experience intense itchiness in the affected area and skin may ooze clear fluids.

2. Heat rash

Heat rash occurs in young children when they overheat. Your child’s sweat glands become blocked, and sweat can’t escape properly. This leads to red, bumpy skin patches or blisters, especially in the folds of the neck, armpits, and thighs.

3. Ringworm

Ringworm is a fungal infection that’s similar to athlete’s foot. The rash forms a round spot on the skin that can feel itchy. Skin can also become dry and scaly. The infection can easily spread among children by touching and sharing infected objects.

4. Impetigo

Impetigo is a bacterial infection that often affects the skin in hot, humid weather conditions. The bacteria enter your child’s skin through small cuts or insect bites. This type of rash can cause intense itching, and fluid-filled blisters form on the skin that break open and scab over.

 5. Chickenpox

Chickenpox is a contagious viral infection that spreads through physical contact. The condition causes fever and widespread skin rash. The rash appears as small, itchy, sometimes painful, red bumps.

When to get help for your child’s skin rash

You can schedule a diagnostic evaluation at American Pediatrics if you cannot manage your child’s symptoms at home with over-the-counter medications and topical creams. Your child also needs an evaluation if they have a persistent fever or other unusual symptoms besides a rash.

If you’re not sure what’s causing your child’s skin rash, it’s important that you get an accurate diagnosis. This can prevent the spread of viral and bacterial infections to others.

Our providers can prescribe topical or oral medications to support your child’s recovery. We can also recommend moisturizers and other products to nourish their skin and prevent long-lasting scars.

Call the American Pediatrics office near you to schedule a diagnostic skin rash evaluation for your child, or book an appointment online today.