Fredericksburg Parent

24 Fredericksburg Parent and Family • October 2020 Common and What to Do About Them WHEN TO SEEK EMERGENCY CARE "Special care and concern should be given to the child who appears acutely ill with fever and rash," Corve e says. "Seek prompt care in an emergency room se ng for urgent treatment. Do not procras- nate on these types of rashes." Alarmed by that angry red rash splashed across your child's body? Rashes run the spectrum, signaling anything from a mild viral infec on to a chronic or even life-threatening illness. Since the list of rashes and their causes is extensive, you may wonder what's what and when to call the doctor. First, avoid self-diagnosis. "Viral and allergic rashes both can present as a dif- fuse, splotchy, blanching, pinkish rash. Because the rashes look similar, it can be impossible some mes to tell the difference just by appearance," says derma- tologist Reginald B. Henry, M.D. Below are the more common types of childhood rashes and typical treatment methods. Check with your family physician or dermatologist to correctly diag- nose and treat a mysterious rash. Diaper Rash Even the most conscien ous diaper- changing parent may see an uncomfort- able, red, puffy rash blossom on her baby's bo om. Babies can suffer from diaper rash a er a bout of diarrhea, as a side effect from an bio cs or if they recently started ea ng solid foods. Change your baby's diaper frequently, and use wipes without alcohol or fragrances to gently pat the area dry. Treat the area with a protec ve barrier ointment a er each diaper change. If the skin appears infected with blisters, ooz- ing discharge or painful open sores, call your pediatrician. Eczema About 10 percent of infants and children suffer from atopic derma s or eczema. The chronic disease is especially common in families with a history of allergies and asthma. According to the Na onal Eczema Associa- on, 65 percent of children are diagnosed in their first year of life and 90 percent by the me they are five years old. Eczema is extremely itchy, but is not contagious. It appears as red, scaly dry skin and can vary in severity. Physicians generally treat eczema first with an over-the-counter cor sone cream to calm the red, inflamed skin. Throughout the year, treat skin with moisturizers. "Lo ons are be er in the humid months, ointments in the winter months," Henry says. "Don't over-treat your child if the derma s isn't really bothering her." Diaper Rash Eczema WRITTEN BY CHRISTA MELNYK HINES Bacterial Staphylococcal and streptococcal bacteria o en cause infec ons with rashes, including impe go, scarlet fever (strep throat with a rash), folliculi s and celluli s. Lyme disease, caused by the bacterium Borrelia burgdorferi and trans- mi ed by cks, can cause a bull's eye rash. If you suspect Lyme Disease, seek medical a en on immediately. Bacte- rial infec ons are typically treated with an bio cs. Childhood Rashes From itchy and perplexing to kind of creepy...

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