5 Common Skin Condition in Children — and How a Pediatric Dermatologist Can Help

While it may not be the case at the moment, your child’s skin is going to grow to an average of 22 square feet, making it the largest organ in an adult. For now, however, this much smaller organ is doing the best it can to protect your child from all the world throws at it. And the evidence of this protection often shows up in the form of skin conditions like rashes, hives, and more.

At Warrenton Dermatology & Skin Therapy Center, board-certified dermatologist Dr. Juan-Carlos Caballero and our team of dermatology specialists provide a full scope of pediatric dermatology services — because we know that skin conditions in infants and kids are often par for the course.

To give you an idea, here are five common skin conditions in children, and how we can help.

1. Dermatitis, or eczema

Far and away, the most common skin conditions in infants, toddlers, and kids are issues with dermatitis, which is a catch-all term for inflammation in the skin.

Leading this category is eczema, which affects 15% of kids in the United States. Eczema causes patches of dry, itchy, red skin that can prove to be very uncomfortable. Thankfully, we have ways to treat eczema with prescription creams and medications — as well as trigger identification and management.

Outside of eczema, other forms of dermatitis include cradle cap, which develops on an infant’s scalp, and diaper rash. If these conditions are moderate to severe in your infant, it’s a good idea to seek our help for stronger treatments that can bring your baby much-needed relief.

2. Allergic reactions

Allergies in kids are on the rise, and one in 13 kids have a food allergy. One of the more common reactions to food allergies are skin rashes and hives. As well, allergies toward latex and pet dander can also lead to skin issues.

If you notice that your child periodically develops skin rashes under certain circumstances, it’s a good idea to come see us. We can examine the skin issue and determine whether it’s related to allergies. From there, we can arrange for testing to confirm our suspicions.

Early identification of allergies can help you better manage them down the road. 

3. Fungal infections

Another common issue among kids are fungal infections, such as ringworm. In later life, these fungal infections transition to athlete’s foot, jock itch, and nail fungus . Kids, however, are more vulnerable to ringworm infections, which are not worms, but fungi that create ring-like shapes on the skin.

Ringworm is highly contagious, so if your child develops ringworm, which can show up on the scalp or on the body, come see us for antifungal medications ASAP.

4. Warts

If your child develops warts on their hands or feet, as well as other parts of the body, don’t worry — pediatric warts are very common. These growths stem from human papillomavirus (HPV) infections, and they often clear up on their own. 

When a wart grows or becomes uncomfortable, however, we can remove it in the office.

5. Exposure to poison ivy, poison oak, or sumac

If your child gets into some poison oak, poison ivy, or sumac, you can expect a rash to develop. While many cases are mild and clear quickly, some kids are more sensitive to exposure and can develop painful rashes that become infected and ooze pus.

If this occurs, please come see us so we can prescribe topical creams that will help relieve the pain and itching. 

Pediatric skin care you can trust

Suffice it to say that skin conditions are part and parcel of growing up. If you feel that your child has a condition that needs a higher standard of care, please don’t hesitate to schedule a visit with our team at Warrenton Dermatology & Skin Therapy Center. 

For expert pediatric dermatology care, you can call our office in Warrenton, Virginia, at 540-341-1900 today, or simply request an appointment online at your convenience.