How to treat common childhood skin conditions 

There’s never a good time to encounter a pesky skin condition. But when this happens to your own child, the search for answers only seems to intensify. When you visit our board-certified pediatricians at Village Pediatrics, we will do everything we can to treat your child’s skin ailment and provide a more comfortable solution. It’s also a top priority for us to ensure that their condition is not extended to other loved ones, as well as ensure these symptoms do not mean something more severe is a factor. Learn more about the common skin conditions our trusted pediatricians are happy to treat below.

SKIN CONDITIONS AND SYMPTOMS

Sunburn

Occasionally you may find sunscreen doesn’t always get the job done, we may not reapply often enough, or we could’ve completely missed a spot. As a result of these scenarios, children may get sunburned while having a blast outside with family and friends. Therefore, it’s vital to understand how to conduct first-aid care to help prevent blistered skin or even infection from harmful sun rays. Please notify us right away if the skin ailment becomes more concerning or your child starts to become ill.

Poison Ivy

It’s very easy to mistake poison ivy with any other ordinary outdoor greenery, even for an adult. Your child could very well make the same mistake when playing in the yard or at a park. Should your child cross paths with this plant, you’ll want to give them a bath and put on a generous coat of calamine lotion afterward to soothe the affected area. If you find this at-home treatment to be ineffective or your child spikes a fever, please give Village Pediatrics a call.

Ringworm

This condition is not an actual worm of course. It is circular in shape and an uncomfortably itchy fungal skin infection for any to experience, which also happens to be contagious. Ringworm is a very common skin condition encountered by many children. Most often, the best treatment for this ailment is the topical use of anti-fungal cream.

Rashes

There are a wide variety of contributors that can spark a skin rash including new medications, heat, medical conditions, allergies and so much more. They can also emerge in the form of eczema, diaper rash or heat rash or more. All are unpleasant to encounter, so it’s important to keep a close watch. If you notice your child’s rash does not seem to be improving or a temperature appears please reach out to us to discuss the best options.

Hives

If you start to notice your child experiencing an allergic reaction to something in their environment, and itchy red patches begin to appear, they are more than likely developing hives. Also referred to as urticaria, hives can usually stay present for several hours or last longer, and are found to be common in children of any age. When mysterious symptoms follow, or a temperature occurs, please seek medical attention.

Insect Bites

Bites from insects such as fire ants, spiders, bees, hornets, wasps, mosquitoes, and ticks are often associated with intense pain and can be terrifying for any child to experience. Usually, insect bites create a reaction in a confined area, where the skin will be warm to the touch, red in color and can even become swollen and sore. If your child contracts a severe insect bite or develops a bad reaction, please schedule an appointment with a pediatrician right away, and if in a life-threatening situation go to the emergency room.

Acne

This condition has been a nuisance among kids from newborns all the way to adolescents, and is the leading skin condition identified by pediatricians. There are many contributors that can trigger acne, however, it is often due to changes in hormones, increased anxiety or stress, bad eating habits, or a matter of the skin not being cleaned well enough. Sebaceous glands that are infected can be considered noncontagious, but it is still recommended to treat this condition to boost self-esteem and reduce any discomfort.

Warts

It’s highly common for children to develop warts, widely recognized as hard bumps on the surface of the skin, which can often be found on various body parts such as the feet, fingers and hands. Warts can sometimes even be contagious and need continued care. Though no official cure is available, the most efficient way to treat warts is to incorporate over-the-counter medication in your routine and complete all steps given by the pediatrician.

OUR RECOMMENDED TREATMENTS

Many skin conditions can be treated with a form of medication and can usually be bought over-the-counter such as diaper rash cream, Benadryl or calamine lotion. If the over-the-counter medication you have been giving your child is not working properly or they start to run a temperature, please contact us right away and schedule a doctor visit with one of our experienced pediatricians.

We are happy to evaluate your child through an in-office or telehealth appointment to help get them feeling back to normal! Click here or text (469) 382-3796 to schedule today.