Common rashes in preschool children

Fifth Disease (Erythema Infectiosum)

Fifth disease is a common viral illness in children that causes a distinctive rash that looks like a "slapped cheek" on their face. It can spread to the trunk, arms, and legs, often forming a lacy pattern. The rash may be itchy and fluctuate in intensity over time, and can last for several weeks.

Causes: Fifth disease spreads through respiratory droplets, blood products, and from mother to fetus.

Symptoms: It typically starts with mild, nonspecific symptoms like fever, headache, and fatigue. The rash typically develops several days after these initial symptoms.

Treatment: In healthy children, the illness usually resolves on its own. Treatment focuses on easing symptoms, like using fever-reducing medications and antihistamines for itching.

Prevention: Good handwashing and avoiding close contact with those who are infected.

Chickenpox (Varicella)

Chickenpox is a highly contagious viral infection in children that appears as a vesicular rash with small, fluid-filled blisters that typically start on the chest, back, and face before spreading to the rest of the body. The blisters crust over to form scabs, which eventually fall off.

Causes: Chickenpox is caused by the varicella-zoster virus (VZV) and spreads through respiratory droplets or direct contact with fluid from the blisters on the skin.

Symptoms: Initial symptoms include fever, discomfort, and headache, followed by the appearance of the chickenpox rash. The rash is extremely itchy.

Treatment: Chickenpox resolves on its own but requires supportive care, including fever-reducing medications and antihistamines to relieve itching. For high-risk children, antiviral treatment may be necessary to prevent complications.

Prevention: The primary prevention strategy against chickenpox is vaccination. The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) recommends two doses of the varicella vaccine for children: the first dose between 12 and 15 months and the second dose between 4 and 6 years. The vaccine is highly effective in preventing severe disease and has greatly reduced the incidence and complications of chickenpox in vaccinated populations.

Molluscum contagiosum

Molluscum contagiosum is a common viral infection, where children develop a rash with small, firm, dome-shaped, raised cyst-like lesions. These lesions are either skin-colored or pearly white and can appear anywhere on the body, except the palms and soles.

Causes: Molluscum contagiosum spreads through direct skin-to-skin contact or by using contaminated objects.

Symptoms: The first symptom is the appearance of rash-like lesions, which can become itchy or inflamed over time.

Treatment: Molluscum contagiosum usually resolves on its own, with lesions gradually disappearing over 6 to 18 months. Treatment may be considered to alleviate symptoms, such as using topical ointments to help with inflammation or itching.

Prevention: Frequent handwashing and avoiding direct contact with infected individuals and contaminated objects.  

Ringworm (Tinea)

Ringworm is a common fungal infection in children that appears as a red, ring-shaped rash with scaly patches and a raised border. Ringworm can affect various body parts, including the scalp, trunk, feet, and groin area.

Causes: Fungi are transmitted through direct contact with infected individuals, animals, or contaminated objects and surfaces.

Symptoms: Itchy, scaly, and red lesions shaped like a ring.

Treatment: Topical antifungals or oral antifungals for a severe infection.

Prevention: Preventive measures include maintaining good hygiene, avoiding sharing personal items, and treating infected pets. Regularly cleaning contaminated surfaces and educating children about not sharing combs, hats, or towels can help reduce transmission.

Hand foot mouth (coxsackie)

Hand foot mouth disease is a common and contagious viral illness in children. The rash appears on the hands, feet, around the mouth, and on the buttocks and genitals. The rash looks like tiny red blisters or mouth sores.

Causes: The disease is caused by coxsackievirus A16 and enterovirus 71. Transmission occurs through fecal-oral, oral-oral, and respiratory droplet contact.

Symptoms: Initial symptoms include fever and discomfort followed by a sore throat and painful sores in the mouth. The rash also appears on the hands and feet and occasionally around the mouth, abdomen, buttocks, and genitalia. Symptoms usually resolve within 7-10 days.

Treatment: Treatment is supportive, focusing on maintaining hydration and providing pain relief with acetaminophen or ibuprofen.

Prevention: Good hand washing, disinfecting contaminated surfaces and objects, and avoiding close contact with infected individuals.

Heat rash (Miliaria)

Heat rash is a common condition in children caused by the obstruction of sweat ducts, leading to inflammation and the development of a rash. Heat rash appears as small, red, raised, and itchy bumps on the skin.

Cause: Blockage of sweat ducts, which can occur in hot, humid environments or when children are overdressed.

Symptoms: Itchy and uncomfortable rash in areas where sweat accumulates, like the neck, chest, back, and between skin folds.

Treatment and prevention:

• Keep the home at a cool temperature to prevent irritation.
• Give lukewarm baths or use cool compresses to soothe the skin.
• Dress the child in light, loose-fitting clothing to help the skin breathe.
• Apply calamine lotion or hydrocortisone cream to soothe itching and inflammation.