Rough skin in infants: the main causes of pathology

Pregnancy, children > Caring for a newborn > Rough skin in infants: the main causes of pathology

Most mothers begin to panic when faced with a phenomenon such as rough skin on a baby, especially if this condition is pronounced.

The child's hands, head or feet may be rough.

Sometimes such symptoms are not dangerous, but in some cases they can pose a serious threat to the baby's health. Over time, this phenomenon can develop into a chronic form of the disease.

Causes of allergies

Recently, allergies have become increasingly common in children. The most common symptoms of allergies are dermatoses of varying severity, the treatment of which is not always possible the first time. But as the child ages, the manifestations change, and skin diseases are replaced by new symptoms, sometimes up to the development of bronchial asthma, which negatively affects health, and treatment turns out to be difficult and costly.

The immune system reacts individually to the irritant, that is, each child experiences allergies in a unique way, which is provoked by many factors. The most common among them are:

• heredity (if the mother is allergic, then it is possible that the child will also be prone to allergies);
• decreased immunity;
• parasitic infestations;
• diseases of the digestive and urinary system;
• lack of vitamins and microelements, improper nutritional diet;
• psychosomatic pathologies.

Allergy in a child's face

Characteristic symptoms of allergies in a child

Allergy is not always expressed by characteristic symptoms - it happens that the disease is asymptomatic, and the manifestation of the disease requires a long time and treatment.

But, as a rule, allergic symptoms appear instantly in a child, however, this does not mean that a thorough diagnosis is not needed. Without diagnostic procedures, it is impossible to prescribe complete treatment.

People who have never experienced allergies believe that pathology manifests itself in children only as symptoms in the form of skin rashes. In addition to all kinds of rashes on the child’s skin, allergies affect the mucous membranes, gastrointestinal tract and respiratory organs.

Important! In such cases, it is necessary not only to treat allergies, but also to consult a gastroenterologist.

The rashes are accompanied by cough, runny nose, inflammation of the conjunctiva, sneezing attacks, swelling and other allergic symptoms. In these cases, comprehensive allergy treatment is prescribed.

Allergic dermatitis in children

Signs of skin allergies:

• itchy, painful sensations;
• skin redness;
• dryness, peeling of the skin;
• swelling of tissues;
• rashes of various types (vesicles, vesicles, spots, papules, plaques, pustules).

Allergies in the form of skin rashes affect all parts of the body: head, face, arms, legs, body, buttocks, neck, back. The first symptoms, the treatment of which it is advisable to begin immediately, appear almost immediately after contact with the irritant.

Attention! Allergies signal a violation or lack of immunity (if we are talking about infants). When a child’s body is hypersensitive, allergic symptoms appear even to animal fur, food, medicines, and cold. Treatment is selected depending on the type of allergic reaction.

Causes of allergies on the face

Prevention of seborrheic dermatitis in children

Seborrheic dermatitis is an inflammation of the skin as a result of an imbalance in the water balance of the skin and inflammatory processes. Children predisposed to dry skin and flaking need to regularly use moisturizing skin creams that form an imperceptible thin film on the surface of the skin to prevent increased evaporation of moisture from the surface of the body and restore the skin.

The course of the disease is more severe in children suffering from neurological disorders and immunodeficiency. It is these ailments that it is recommended to pay constant attention to prevent the occurrence of dermatitis.

For both infants and older children, personal hygiene plays an important role. Cleanliness of the body is the key to preventing seborrheic dermatitis. For water procedures it is better to use warm water. Hot water causes damage to the skin, which promotes infection and the development of fungi, causing disease.

Stabilizing your daily diet is one of the main measures. Food should be rich in vitamins A and E, which include seafood, nuts, and vegetable oils. Dietary low-fat meat, vegetables, berries and fruits, natural freshly prepared juices are components of a healthy diet for a child. Nursing mothers are advised to consult a pediatrician or nutritionist before eating or feeding their baby. Limited consumption of cakes, sweets, buns, sweet drinks, fried meat and fatty foods has a beneficial effect on stabilizing the metabolic process in the body.

Special requirements for children's clothing. For infants, all diapers and nappies should always be dry and clean, and diapers should be changed in a timely manner. For older children - clothing only made from natural, smooth materials that do not irritate the skin and provide natural ventilation of the body to prevent excessive sweating of the child.

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Types of allergic reactions that children are prone to

As stated, symptoms manifest differently in a child, depending on the origin of the allergy. Therefore, the following types of allergic origins are distinguished:

1. Food allergies - most often children of the first year are susceptible to pathology, who over time “outgrow” the disease. But it happens that allergy symptoms accompany a child throughout the entire period of growing up, which significantly complicates life, because adequate treatment is always required. The most powerful allergens are citrus products, strawberries, whole milk, seafood, fish, chips, nuts, honey;
2. Allergies due to environmental factors - aeroallergens fly in the air, and when they enter the respiratory system, they cause attacks;
3. Allergic reaction to pets - many people mistakenly believe that allergy symptoms in a child are caused by pet fur. However, children react more to saliva containing toxic substances. Moreover, dogs and walking cats often bring home infections and bacteria on their paws, so treatment is sometimes required for your pet;
4. Irritants in children are often medications; in particular, allergies occur to antibiotics, anesthetics, analgesics and some vitamins;
5. Allergy to house dust mites - microscopic parasites are easily inhaled and cause a negative immune reaction;
6. Chemicals contained in household detergents, synthetic fabrics, and low-quality toys negatively affect the child’s body, causing allergies;
7. Natural factors - stinging insect bites, contact with highly allergenic plants, sun, wind, low air temperatures negatively affect some children and lead to allergy symptoms;
8. Hay fever is a seasonal allergy, when a cluster of pollen grains with a high concentration of allergens floats in the air and leads to allergic reactions not only in children, but also in adults.

Important! Treatment for adults differs from treatment for children.

Food allergies in a child
Article on the topic: Allergic dermatitis in children: causes and signs

Classification of allergic skin rashes

Before talking about skin allergies in a child, you should imagine the types of rashes. Depending on the antigen, an allergic reaction appears in the form of formations on the skin of different nature and localization:

• pustule - a cavity formation with pus inside;
• plaque is a flat neoplasm that is located just above the skin level;
• papule - a raised bump on the skin, the size of which does not exceed 5 mm;
• spot - an area of ​​skin with clear outlines of a changed color (white, pink or red) that does not protrude above the surface of the skin;
• vesicle - a cavity not exceeding 5 mm, with liquid inside;
• vesicle is a large vesicle.

Allergic spot on the skin
Allergy symptoms are expressed differently, that is, the same type of reaction manifests itself in different ways. For example, in one child, food allergies manifest as dermatosis of a certain area or the entire body, other children begin to sneeze, cough, and if the immune system is particularly sensitive, more serious manifestations are possible - symptoms of Quincke's edema, Lyell's syndrome, anaphylactic shock and other pathologies. Therefore, treatment of the disease requires meaningful and deliberate treatment.

The most common types of skin rashes are:

• contact dermatitis;
• atopic dermatitis;
• childhood eczema;
• nettle rash;
• neurodermatitis;
• angioedema;
• bullous dermatitis.

Diathesis in an infant

Contact dermatitis

Contact dermatitis is a disease that affects the upper layers of the skin. Allergy symptoms occur due to the effect of an antigen on the immune system. The pathology affects children from the first year of life, and even adolescents.

Important! Contact dermatitis affects the arms, legs, neck, back, buttocks, that is, areas of the body in contact with clothing, and symptoms of the disease can rarely be seen on the face.

Most often, symptoms of pathology are observed in young children, since immunity has not yet been fully formed. The disease can appear for any reason, but most often due to the negative influence of the environment. Parents need to carefully maintain cleanliness in the house and monitor the child’s personal hygiene, otherwise they will have to spend a long time treating the baby.

Symptoms of contact dermatitis:

• skin hyperemia, swelling;
• rough and flaky skin;
• purulent vesicles;
• unbearable sensations of itching, burning.

Contact dermatitis symptoms and treatment

Atopic dermatitis

Atopic dermatitis is an inflammatory disease due to a skin reaction to a toxic substance. The pathology is difficult to treat and often goes from an acute state to a chronic form.

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Each age group develops rashes of different types and locations. For example, one-year-old babies are prone to rashes on the face, arms and legs, while older children are prone to rashes in skin folds, feet or palms.

If a rash appears on the scalp of a child, the pathology is called seborrheic dermatitis, and the treatment of seborrhea differs from the treatment of allergies. Symptoms of an allergic disease can be seen on the genitals, mucous membranes and organs of the gastrointestinal tract.

Characteristic symptoms of atopic dermatitis:

• severe swelling;
• redness, peeling, itching of the skin;
• exudative nodular rash;
• dry and cracked skin;
• the formation of scarring crusts on the skin.

Allergies are most often a consequence of the body's food reaction, but pets, dust and inappropriate cosmetics or detergents also provoke symptoms of atopy.

It is important to know! Atopic dermatitis is often accompanied by pathologies of the digestive tract or other organs and systems. In these cases, the allergist refers the child to other specialists for treatment.

How to treat atopic dermatitis in children

Childhood eczema

Eczema is an inflammation of the epidermis, which is characterized by symptoms such as:

• hyperemia;
• unbearable itching sensation;
• a large number of bubbles that merge with each other and subsequently open;
• the appearance of ulcers that crust over after the vesicles open.

Often the development of eczema in a child occurs along with atopic dermatitis. Both diseases are chronic and recurrent in nature, the treatment is almost the same.

Need to remember! The appearance of eczema is promoted by allergies, which are hereditary in nature, and dysfunction in the gastrointestinal tract and immune system.

Hives

The disease is of allergic origin; small attacks occur in young children, and over time the disease develops into a chronic disease.

Symptoms of the pathology are spots from light pink to bright red, surrounded by a border, which itch very much, causing discomfort to the child, since he still cannot restrain himself.

Severe itching causes blisters to appear. The rashes burst when touched and resemble erosions. In this situation, a careful approach to treatment is essential.

Allergies in the form of hives appear after taking potent medications, contact with animals, detergents and cosmetics, dust, cold, and ultraviolet radiation.

Often, allergy manifestations are complemented by gastrointestinal diseases, parasitic infestations, and viral or bacteriological infections.

Urticaria in infants: symptoms and treatment

Neurodermatitis

If a child suffered from diathesis before the age of one year, it is possible that neurodermatitis will appear after 2 years. Neuroallergic disease occurs periodically, and for remission to last longer, effective treatment is required.

If small bumps of light pink color are detected on the child’s skin, especially with the formation of scales and pigment spots, and they bother the baby with severe itching, then be sure that treatment for neurodermatitis will be required.

Limited neurodermatitis

Quincke's edema

Quincke's edema is an acute allergic reaction manifested in the form of swelling of the skin and swelling of the mucous membranes. The anomaly requires emergency treatment, otherwise death cannot be avoided.

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Swelling forms on the arms, legs, palms, feet, and lips. Swelling in the mouth makes it difficult to speak and interferes with eating. Swelling of the pharynx, which manifests itself as asphyxia, is especially dangerous, therefore, at the first symptoms of Quincke's edema, it is necessary to call an ambulance.

Quincke's edema in children

Bullous dermatitis

The name of the scientist who first described the condition is included in the name of the disease - Lyell's syndrome. Symptoms of the pathology: the appearance of blisters, swelling and inflammation of the skin. Bullous dermatitis is a dangerous condition; the person suffering from the symptoms feels severe itching. In addition, multiple allergic rashes resemble burns.

Attention! Just like anaphylactic shock, the symptoms of Lyell's syndrome are fatal, therefore, without delay, you need to call rescuers and begin treatment. Allergies to medications contribute to the manifestations of the disease, and if you consult a doctor as early as possible, trouble can be avoided.

Bullous dermatitis

Presence of itching

If a patient has itchy spots, then there is a high risk of infection.

Causes:

• Fungal infection. The site of attachment of the fungus turns red, gradually increasing the area of ​​maceration. Places that are more commonly affected include the folds between the toes and hands. Another type of rash that covers the entire body rather than just parts of it is called imbricated mycosis. Numerous spots gradually merge and form into large painful areas.
• Eczema. A common dermatological lesion leading to cracking and separation of crusts. Sometimes the itching is very painful.
• Psoriasis. The first symptoms of the disease are the appearance of single dots, which become more and more frequent every day. Psoriasis often develops when there are signs of intoxication of the body.
• Pityriasis versicolor. Penetrating and developing on the dermis, the fungus leads to multiple defects that have clear boundaries.
• Ringworm. A contagious disease transmitted to humans through objects, clothing and fur of infected animals. On the scalp, lichen leads to patchy hair loss.
• Impetigo. A rare disease characterized by severe itching and rough rashes in the mouth and throat. It most often affects children under 2 years of age.
• Lichenoid pityriasis. Dermatological disorder occurs for reasons that scientists have not fully identified. The dots look like raised papules of red or pink color. Itching is mild.

All of the above diseases lead to the appearance of crusts or flaking of the skin, as well as itching. The exception is scleroderma, which only occasionally leads to a local burning sensation.

There are many painful conditions, and distinguishing them is not so easy. The condition of the patients can be seen in the images attached to the article, which contain a description for each photo. This format makes it easier to find the “culprit” of the disease.

Dull-colored rashes also appear temporarily at the site of lesions that were present in the past. Saturation of the shade appears when the disease relapses (usually with psoriasis, dermatitis, eczema).

Conclusion

When rough spots appear on the body, doctors identify dermatological diseases in most patients that are associated with the influence of a fungal or viral infection.

However, the primary source of skin problems also becomes internal factors - diseases of the body, sometimes of an autoimmune nature. Such conditions are treated only under the supervision of a dermatologist.

Diagnosis of allergies

Treatment of allergies without diagnosis is unproductive, so you should definitely consult a specialist. It happens that an allergy goes away without treatment, but often the symptoms of an allergy are not very different from an infectious or viral disease, so a trip to the doctor cannot be postponed.

At the appointment, the doctor will first ask a number of questions that will help you understand that it is allergies that are bothering the child. The doctor will show interest in a nutritious diet, the presence of pets, ask if there are any allergies in the family, and if the mother is breastfeeding, what the nursing woman ate before the symptoms appeared.

Tests for which the doctor gives a referral:

• blood test for immunoglobulin E and eosinophils;
• allergy tests;
• clinical blood test.

Allergy tests in children

Allergy treatment

Proper treatment of allergies will help to avoid complications and possible health problems in the child in the future. After diagnosis, it is clear which allergen the patient needs to be protected from, and if you stop interacting with the antigen, the symptoms of the disease will disappear.

If the case is serious and treatment cannot be avoided, the process of healing from allergies depends on the age of the patient. The only thing that is common in the treatment of all age groups of children is the use of antihistamines and local effects on the skin with the help of medications.

Pay special attention! Allergy as an independent disease does not occur in newborns. It’s all due to the expectant mother’s consumption of allergenic foods, abuse of bad habits, and previous infections.

If a baby develops allergy symptoms, treatment should begin with the mother's anti-allergy diet, since all allergens are transmitted through breast milk. The artificial baby is transferred to a hypoallergenic or lactose-free formula.

If symptoms persist, antihistamines are prescribed in drops, starting from 1 month, and if local treatment is required, antiallergic ointments, gels and creams are used. Which ones are prescribed only by the attending physician based on the diagnosis and medical history of the child.

It is important to know! When treating children over 1 year of age, the list of medications increases, but the baby should be protected from contact with allergens.

Allergy symptoms cause children and adults a lot of discomfort, so the disease needs to be treated from the first symptoms, otherwise it may become chronic. It is sometimes impossible to protect your baby from allergies, but you can reduce the risk if you follow preventive measures.

ethnoscience

Recently, more and more parents are trying to protect their children from the negative effects of pharmacological substances. Indeed, taking antibiotics and anti-inflammatory drugs does not bring much benefit to the liver and kidneys. An alternative to chemical exposure can be traditional medicine recipes.

After your doctor's approval, you can treat skin rashes with chamomile infusion. Usually the infusion is added to a bath or soaked in compresses. It is easy to eliminate allergy symptoms by using mummy or eggshell powder. Such natural ingredients have a calming effect.