Red spots and irritations on the baby’s skin – first aid and necessary treatment

Of the most frequently noted conditions at a tender age, experts (and mothers) distinguish redness on the skin. Such manifestations occur at different times, are localized in different parts of the body and are accompanied by various symptoms, which, of course, worries parents.

What causes stains and how do you respond to them?

The content of the article:

1. 10 causes of red spots on baby’s skin
2. First aid for redness and irritation
3. Treating red spots and irritation on baby’s skin

16 causes of red spots and irritation on baby’s skin

There are many reasons for the appearance of redness in toddlers. Most often, spots appear as a result of a violation of the food and temperature regime, as allergy or diathesis.

But you should not wave your hand at such signs – they can also be symptoms of specific diseases.

The most common reasons for the appearance of “mysterious” red spots are as follows:

• Diaper rash in babies. This inflammation is manifested due to excess moisture or strong friction in certain areas of the body. Typically in the groin folds, between the buttocks and armpits, behind the ears, in the cervical folds, and in the lower abdomen. The degree of diaper rash can be different – from slight redness to weeping erosion with ulcers. Concomitant symptoms are itching and burning of the skin.
• Prickly heat. This cause of redness develops due to blockage of the sweat glands and, accordingly, intense sweating in the absence of sufficient moisture evaporation from the skin surface. Usually, this process is explained by a violation of thermoregulation in babies.
• Allergic reaction to foods eaten by mom while breastfeeding. It usually manifests itself as reddening of the cheeks, as well as indigestion (approx. – diarrhea, constipation, colic or even vomiting).
• Atopic dermatitis… In this disease (note – an allergic hereditary disease), manifestations will be allergic reactions to drugs and foods, swelling and redness of the cheeks and buttocks, the appearance of yellow crusts on the head and eyebrows, symmetrical redness on the hands. The factors provoking the disease are improper skin care, stress on the child’s psyche, or acute viral infections.
• Red spots on the hands can be the result of contact with an allergen. For example, with household chemicals, low-quality soap, etc. True, the skin on the hands may turn red due to its inflammatory nature – tonsillitis, bronchitis, as well as due to fungal or bacterial infection or even liver / kidney disease.
• Allergy. She can lie in wait for your child even where you could not think. The baby’s body can react with spots to sweet fruits and chicken, to mushrooms and milk, to exotic dishes and seafood. Also, such a reaction to linen washed with a washing powder with a high percentage of surfactants, to low-quality clothes and toys made of harmful materials, etc. is quite common.
• Insect bites. They are usually expressed as red dots, swelling at the site of the bite, or even severe swelling of the bite site due to allergies. Of course, such spots do not look like a rash, and they are very easy to distinguish from other redness.
• Chickenpox. Here the symptoms are clearer: spots appear throughout the body in the form of a rash, and after a while blisters form instead of them, which are always accompanied by severe itching. Fever and weakness are also sometimes noted. The main places of “location” of the rash are the inner side of the cheeks, armpits, areas between the fingers.
• Measles. With this infectious (contagious!) Disease, a red rash that spreads throughout the body “merges” into whole red areas that take on an irregular shape. But this happens only on the 3-4th day after the onset of the disease. He is preceded by a cough with a runny nose, photophobia and fever. Over time, the color of the rash turns brown, and the skin begins to peel off and crumble. The period of illness is about 2 weeks.
• Rubella. It is also a contagious disease characterized by the appearance of small red spots one week (on average) after direct infection. With illness, the temperature usually does not rise (in children), the color of the spots is pink, and the areas of localization of the rash are the face and chest, as well as the back.
• Scarlet fever (streptococcus). The pathogen can enter both by airborne droplets and through dirt (toys and clothes, unwashed vegetables). The disease manifests itself with fever, a characteristic sore throat and red spots. Areas of localization of spots – face, groin and armpits. Scarlet fever is usually treated with antibiotics.
• Erythema. In this case, the disease begins with small dots on the face, gradually forming into spots that already “migrate” to the body and limbs. The causative agent (Chamer microorganisms) penetrates the child’s body with the air. The period of illness is 10-14 days. It passes on its own.
• Molluscum contagiosum. Unfortunately, today this disease often overtakes babies, and parents practically panic – “what is this ?!”. The answer is simple: a viral disease. It manifests itself in large red spots (with weakened immunity) – round pea balls. There is no itching with the disease, pain is also not noted. In most cases, it goes away on its own.
• Hives… Urticaria is not considered a disease – it is, rather, a reaction of the body. Moreover, as a rule, allergic and accompanied by itching, with large red spots and, sometimes, their swelling. Such symptoms can manifest itself both with ordinary allergies (food, medications, etc.), and as a result of serious food poisoning (in the case of the latter, it is better to go to the hospital, because the main symptoms of poisoning may appear a little later).
• Roseola for children. The causative agent is herpes type 6. Concomitant symptoms are fever and red spots that appear after the recession of this fever. The period of illness is a week.
• Lichen pink… This fungal infection manifests itself after swimming in the pool, after contact with a sick animal, and even as a result of intense heat (from prickly heat and overheating). Sometimes it is accompanied by an increase in the baby’s lymph nodes and fever.

First aid for redness and irritation on the baby’s skin – when should you see a doctor?

What to do if the baby is “sprinkled” with red spots?

It all depends on the reason.

In most cases, unless we are talking about a disease that requires serious treatment, the following helps:

• We exclude contact with allergens. We change the children’s wardrobe exclusively for natural fabrics. We purchase cosmetic products of only proven brands – without irritants in the composition. We remove all foods from the diet that can cause a similar reaction.
• We wash the baby regularly – every time after changing the diaper! And we regularly bathe in the bathroom. Herbal decoctions added to the water when bathing will help in the fight against skin irritation. Chamomile, string, has proven itself best of all.
• We do not overheat the child. “One hundred clothes” on a toddler in a warm apartment can lead not only to redness, but also to overheating. Dress your child according to the temperature indoors and outdoors.
• Choose loose clothing for your child. Clothing should not interfere with movement and, moreover, rub the skin.
• Rinse thoroughly and then iron the garment. The remains of washing powder on clothes can cause allergies, and with the help of an iron you eliminate germs and bacteria from baby clothes. In addition, ironing removes wrinkles, unevenness and roughness that can chafe your baby’s skin.
• Don’t use diapers unnecessarily.
• Use fundsreducing the risk of prickly heat or diaper rash.
• Don’t forget about protective creams when overdrying baby skin and in cold weather.

Of course, in severe cases, a sequential bath will not help. Therefore, when red spots appear, do not delay a visit to the doctor.

Contact your pediatrician and dermatologist, specialists know better than to treat redness, and what is the reason for their appearance.

As for drugs for external use (to eliminate itching, irritation, redness), you can pay attention to …

• Menthol oil and boromenthol: Eliminate itching, cooling and refreshing effect.
• D-panthenol: elimination of itching, regeneration of the skin, moisturizing. Ideal for babies.
• Bepanten: is also a very good preparation for toddlers. Healing effect, elimination of dryness, itching, quick solution to the problem of irritation.
• BoroPlus: eliminates dry skin and redness, softens, heals.
• Fenistil-gel: relieves puffiness, relieves itching and irritation (approx. – in case of allergic skin reactions).
• Zinc ointment (cheap and effective).
• Nezulin ointment: antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory effect, elimination of itching.

If you suspect a viral infection, be sure to call a doctor! In this case, it is not recommended to take the baby to the clinic. – you can infect other babies.

And even more so, a doctor’s call is required if …

• Temperature rise.
• Apathy and lethargy.
• Coryza with cough and lachrymation.
• Great drowsiness and headache.
• Rash on the body, accompanied by itching.

Features of the treatment of red spots and irritation on the skin of a child

In contrast to adults, childhood skin diseases manifest themselves in a slightly different way. Therefore, it is important to be extremely careful not to miss puffiness, bubbles and other changes in the usual allergic spots on the skin.

In general, all children’s skin problems can be classified by type:

• Pustular. They are accompanied by the appearance of inflamed areas and, often, the release of pus. The causative agents are streptococci and staphylococci, “thrown” on children’s skin. Reasons: overheating and vitamin deficiency, as well as dysfunction of the sweat / sebaceous glands. These include impetigo and folliculitis, streptoderma, carbunculosis, and hydradenitis.
• Allergic. Usually provoked by specific allergens: drugs, dust and animal hair, food, synthetics, etc. Lyell’s syndrome and eczema, dermatitis and urticaria can be included in this group.
• Parasitic. As the name of the group implies, these diseases occur when a child is infected with parasites. These can be lice (one of the signs is red spots on the neck), ticks and fleas, etc. Demodectic mange, scabies (severe itching, red spots on the stomach and arms) and head lice can be added to this group.
• Infectious. Well, such skin lesions are usually caused by bacteria and viruses. They proceed with fever and lack of appetite, with a painful stomach and sore throat, etc. In this group – herpes and chickenpox, meningococcal infection (the most dangerous, even fatal!) And measles, scarlet fever with rubella, etc.

The main steps for a mother when red spots appear should be as follows:

1. Call the doctor homeif the redness is clearly not a diathesis or an allergy to the new baby cream, if there are concomitant symptoms.
2. Call a doctor URGENT if there is a suspicion that the child has a meningococcal infection. It is impossible to delay categorically here: the disease develops rapidly, and only a day can pass before death. The most dangerous disease is for crumbs up to 1 year old. Timely diagnosis of the disease and proper treatment minimize risks.
3. Isolate toddler from adults (or adults from a baby) who did not suffer from rubella, if there is a suspicion of it. Rubella is especially dangerous for expectant mothers (the risk of developing pathologies in the fetus).
4. Do not lubricate with brilliant green and iodine redness / rashes until the doctor examines them (it will be extremely difficult to make an accurate diagnosis).

The Bologny.ru website warns: the information is provided for informational purposes only, and is not a medical recommendation. Do not self-medicate under any circumstances! In the event of red spots on the skin of a child and alarming symptoms, consult a doctor!