Babies commonly have a number of different rashes in the diaper area, and most are harmless and transient. Common diaper rash is a normal condition experienced by most babies. When your baby develops diaper rash, it will be uncomfortable. Therefore, it’s important to treat the symptoms – red, irritated skin that is painful when touched – in order to keep your baby happy and healthy, as well as prevent infection. Rashes that do not resolve with conventional treatments should be evaluated by a dermatologist for the more serious conditions that can mimic common diaper rash.

Conditions that mimic contact dermatitis can include allergic contact dermatitis, intertrigo, fungal infections, eczema, psoriasis, and rare cases other types of infection, or cancers. To find out which type of rash your baby is suffering from and have it treated, schedule an appointment.

Pediatric atopic dermatitis, often called eczema or atopic eczema, is a common condition which often appears in the first year of life and causes the skin to become red, dry and itchy. The itch can often be severe and prevent your child from sleeping. In addition, it may make those who suffer from eczema more susceptible to infection. For children of varying ages, eczema appears on different areas of the body. For infants, it is usually around the mouth and on the cheeks. For young children, the rash tends to be on the legs, arms and other areas. In the case of teenagers, eczema usually emerges on the hands and feet, around the eyes and on the insides of the elbows/knees.

Another common pediatric dermatology condition is seborrheic dermatitis, is referred to as “cradle cap.” This condition causes severe dandruff on the scalp and/or inflammation on the face. It usually develops within the child’s first six weeks of life and clears in weeks to months. The cause of cradle cap in babies is not known, but it is believed to stem from excess oil production in the sebaceous glands. Cradle cap does not usually cause discomfort for babies, but it can be very unsightly – this condition often leaves the skin on the scalp, face, eyelids, and ears scaly, yellow and greasy. Some infants find this condition itchy and will scratch themselves vigorously, at times causing bleeding and scabbing.

During childhood, it is common to develop a variety of rashes at one time or another. Some of these rashes are caused by superficial infections of the skin; for example, impetigo, and may subside quickly with a topical or oral medication. Other rashes occur when your child is ill; they may be bacterial or viral, and prompt recognition of the rash by a professional can help expedite the correct medical treatment.

Children with eczema, atopic dermatitis or other chronic skin conditions are more susceptible to common skin infections and may experience more severe forms of them. If your child has a severe skin infection, for example, eczema herpeticum, it can permanently affect their eyesight if the rash spreads to this area. Your child should be seen promptly if you suspect this condition. Children with eczema or psoriasis sometimes have flares of their skin rash prompted by infection, and these can be addressed by your dermatologist as well.

Several types of growth develop on children due to infection as well. The most common we see are warts, caused by the human papillomavirus, and molluscum contagiosum, a contagious type of dome-shaped bumps on the skin caused by a poxvirus. These may resolve on their own in some cases, but sometimes rapid treatment is best to prevent them from spreading on your child, or to other children. If you believe your child may be suffering from a skin infection of any kind, schedule an appointment at MetroDerm. We specialize in treating skin infections with a wide range of highly effective treatments.

A hemangioma is a growth of excess blood vessels that appear on the skin, usually during infancy. Some are present at birth and others develop or change in early childhood. They are typically either red or pink, but they may also take on a bluish hue (in the case of “deep” hemangiomas). Although this type of skin condition is usually benign, there are certain instances where the hemangioma will need to be removed. This will be the case if the hemangioma is in a sensitive area such as the face, where it may obstruct vision or lead to cosmetic disfigurement. Other hemangiomas that may need to be removed are those that cause ulceration, severe scarring or medical issues. If your child has a hemangioma, consult our office to see if treatment is needed.

Vascular malformations consist of arteries, veins, capillaries or lymphatic vessels. They appear on the skin as a pink, red, or purple birthmarks. Vascular malformations grow as a child ages. In some cases, these skin marks can cause serious problems or can be the marker for a more serious medical condition.

Impetigo is a highly contagious bacterial skin infection causing blisters and sores. Impetigo mainly affects children, often on the face, especially around the nose and mouth, and sometimes on the arms or legs. The most common cause of impetigo is Staphylococcus aureus. However, another bacterial cause is the group A streptococcus. These bacteria lurk everywhere. It is easier for a child with an open wound or fresh scratch to contract impetigo. Other skin-related problems, such as eczema, body lice, insect bites, fungal or bacterial infections, and various forms of dermatitis can make a person susceptible to impetigo. Sores associated with impetigo may be mistaken for herpes, a viral infection. Impetigo spreads faster, never develops inside the mouth, and is rarely confined to one area of the body.