Causes of rash in the armpits
A pediatrician or dermatologist will help determine the main cause of armpit rash in children. It is important to consult a doctor in a timely manner, undergo examination and begin treatment. In some situations, it is enough to follow certain recommendations to get rid of the problem.
A rash under the arms of a child is most often caused by the following reasons:
| Name | Description |
| Fungus | A disease in which infection of the body often occurs in public places. An easily transmitted pathology, therefore, to eliminate it, doctors prescribe antibacterial agents to patients. Without timely treatment, the fungus attacks healthy organs and tissues. |
| Allergy | Often, a rash in the armpits of children is a consequence of the use of hygiene products. In some situations, even a simple nourishing cream can lead to rashes on the body. |
| Skin chafing | The skin in the armpits of children is hypersensitive. Damage can be easily caused by tight and uncomfortable clothing. Irritation provokes inflammation and leads to the appearance of rashes under the arms. This is facilitated by excessive sweating, uncomfortable and tight clothing. Wet skin becomes irritated faster. Rubbing rashes appear more often in spring or summer. |
| Heat rash | A disease of the body that is characterized by an abnormal response to high temperatures and stressful conditions. The pathological condition can also appear after consuming hot foods and drinks. Warm rashes under the arms are small in size, red in color, and slightly raised in shape. It occurs more often during hot periods. |
| Eczema | A chronic infectious disease is accompanied by a strong inflammatory process. Rashes appear on the child’s body and peel. The skin tightens and becomes covered with ulcers. In some situations, blisters form and cause severe itching. |
| Seborrheic dermatitis | A chronic skin disease that occurs when a specific fungus enters the body. The inflammatory process negatively affects the functioning of the sebaceous glands. Not only rashes appear, but also redness. The skin swells, becomes oily, and is bothered by itching and burning. In some situations, yellow or white flakes will form. |
| Contact dermatitis | The pathological condition appears after contact with allergic substances. This can be regular soap, body lotion or cosmetics. The same thing happens when wearing clothes made from synthetic material. Contact dermatitis develops after fragrances and detergents. The pathology provokes the appearance of red and itchy rashes on the child’s body. |
| Ringworm | A disease characterized by scaly rashes that become crusty. In some situations, pathology provokes the appearance of red and round spots. Associated symptoms may include hair loss, severe itching, and blistering. |
| Furunculosis | A purulent rash appears on the body. They cause painful discomfort to the child. Treatment is strictly carried out under the supervision of a doctor, since a complication of this disease is blood poisoning. In difficult situations, the patient is indicated for surgical intervention to open and remove the contents of the boil. |
| Psoriasis | Chronic pathology of non-infectious origin occurs with itching and peeling of the skin, its thickening is observed, and crusts form. A rash appears in the armpits with red spots of heterogeneous color. |
Ringworm under the arms
This form of fungal infection is similar to a common irritation. But the spots with which it appears have different features. Depending on the type of lichen, they can be:
- Pale pink and arranged in groups in a line (lichen linearis);
- Pink, up to 2 cm in diameter, the appearance of which is preceded by a large maternal spot (pityriasis rosea);
- brown, yellow or pink, up to a centimeter in size, which are located in colonies (pityriasis versicolor).
In all cases, the rash is accompanied by accompanying manifestations in the form of peeling and itching.
Other Possible Causes
There are other provoking factors that cause armpit rashes in children:
- bacterial pathologies (scarlet fever);
- viral lesions of the child’s body (measles, chickenpox, mononucleosis);
- a bite of an insect;
- dermatological diseases;
- failure to comply with simple hygiene rules;
- increased sweating;
- scabies;
- chronic pathologies of internal organs in the child’s body;
- hormonal imbalance;
- severe obesity;
- use of certain medications.
Children often encounter heat rash in the first years of their lives. The disease is characterized by the appearance of small pink blisters.
What problems does a rash in the armpits with redness, itching, and temperature indicate?
A rash under the arms of a child in some situations is accompanied by pronounced signs that indicate the development of a certain disease:
| Name | Causes |
| Itching |
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| Redness |
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| Heat |
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| Pain syndrome |
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A pediatrician or dermatologist will help eliminate the underlying disease or cause of the pathological condition. The specialist will prescribe medications that reduce itching, heat and inflammation. Self-treatment is not recommended to prevent possible complications.
A rash under the arms of a child is not only accompanied by itching, redness, but also a burning sensation and pain. In some situations, bumps form at the site of the lesion, and clear or yellow discharge appears. In the absence of timely treatment, pathological processes progress and spread to healthy areas of the body.
Itching under the arms
Scabies is a parasitic lesion of the skin, since the causative agent of the disease is the scabies mite. The pathology is characterized by severe itching, especially worse at night. In addition, other symptoms occur:
- Redness in the affected areas.
- Scabies are red raised areas on the skin with blisters.
- Scratching.
- Formed crusts in place of burst bubbles.
Areas at risk for scabies are the areas between the fingers, the back of the wrist, elbows, armpits, lower back and lower abdomen. The incubation period of the disease reaches 4 weeks.
Diagnostic measures
A specialized specialist will help you determine the root cause and make the correct diagnosis. It is impossible to independently determine the source of the violations; it is strictly forbidden to give children medications without a doctor’s prescription.
A pediatrician or dermatologist examines the patient and, if necessary, prescribes additional tests:
| Name | Description |
| Scraping | For laboratory tests, tissue is taken from the affected area of the body and examined under a microscope. |
| General and biochemical blood test | Tests allow you to determine viral or bacterial damage to the child’s body, identify the inflammatory process and other disorders. |
| Skin tests for allergies | Specialists use various solutions to determine the source of the allergic reaction. |
Diagnostic measures will help the doctor establish an accurate diagnosis and, based on the information received, select the most effective treatment regimen. It is important to differentiate the provoking disease, since many serious pathologies are accompanied by similar clinical signs.
Drug treatment for children
Therapy for the child is selected by a pediatrician or dermatologist. It is necessary to first undergo a complete examination to establish the main cause of the rash under the arms in a small patient.
Treatment involves the use of medications internally or externally. The pediatrician or dermatologist prescribes medications to the child, taking into account his condition and the individual characteristics of the body.
Pills
It is recommended to give medications to a child for armpit rashes strictly as prescribed by the doctor. The active ingredients may aggravate the health condition or cause complications if the indicated dosages are not followed. There is also a high likelihood of side effects.
Children's armpit rash is treated with the following medications:
| Group of drugs | Name | Application |
| Antihistamines | Suprastin, Cetrin | Medicines eliminate swelling and itching. The drug is taken orally with meals. The recommended dosage is 0.025 g 2-3 times a day. In severe situations, the medicine is administered intravenously or intramuscularly. Children's dosage depends on age and is ¼-1/2 tablet 2-3 times a day. |
| Antibacterial drugs | Amoxicillin, Azithromycin | Medicines are used if the rash is accompanied by a bacterial infection. The doctor selects the dosage and treatment regimen taking into account the patient’s age. Adults are prescribed 500 mg 3 times a day. The pediatric dosage is 20 mg/kg 3 times a day. The course of therapy lasts 5-12 days. The medicine is taken at intervals of 8 hours. |
Prevention
In order not to experience all the discomfort from the symptoms of mycosis of the armpits, hygiene of the armpits is not enough. It is necessary to adhere to certain preventive measures:
- monitor nutrition and weight;
- replace synthetic clothing with natural ones;
- carefully study the composition of the cosmetics used (perspirants, deodorants);
- Disinfect the razor, scissors, and epilator with Chlorhexidine solution before each use.
Preventive measures are aimed at keeping the baby “dry and comfortable.” They are familiar to all mothers, as they are the basis for healthy care for a newborn. Let's remind ourselves of them:
- Optimal climatic conditions at home. That is, the temperature in the baby’s room should not exceed 22 oC, and if it is 18-20 oC, that’s generally great. Try to maintain humidity at 65-70%.
- Bathing should be daily. For preventive purposes, 2 times a week, arrange bath procedures with decoctions of chamomile, calendula, yarrow, and string.
- Regular washing plays an important role in maintaining intimate hygiene. Don't forget that boys are washed differently than girls.
- The more often the baby is given air baths, the healthier his skin will be, and the body will be hardened and the immune system will be strengthened.
- Clothes made from natural fabrics, as well as special hypoallergenic washing powders, will minimize the risk of developing allergies. This is important, because it is more difficult to treat two diseases at once, allergies and diaper rash.
So, diaper rash in infants does not fall into the category of terrible diseases. They occur sooner or later in almost every baby. But how long they will last and to what extent the skin will be damaged largely depends on parental efforts and the desire to help their child. It is not difficult to remove skin irritation; the main thing is to react quickly and start treatment on time. And do not forget to seek help from specialists, it will never be superfluous.
To avoid illness, special preventive measures are necessary.
| Preventive measure | Description |
| Maintaining hygiene | It is necessary to ensure the cleanliness of the child’s skin and clothes. |
| Creating a comfortable room temperature | It is necessary to ventilate the room in a timely manner and do wet cleaning. In hot weather, you can lower the air temperature using the air conditioner to 20 degrees. Air humidity should be about 60%. |
| Water treatments | In summer, it is necessary to bathe children at least 2 times a day with water at a comfortable body temperature. |
| Staying outside | In summer, it is better to walk with children in the morning and evening hours. It is not recommended to be in the sun during hot weather. |
| Choosing the right clothes | It is better to give preference to natural fabrics; there is no need to overly wrap the child. |
Home remedy recipes and instructions for use
A rash under the arms of a child can be treated with prescriptions from witch doctors and healers, if there are no serious contraindications. Their use should be discussed with a pediatrician or dermatologist. The components used may cause an allergic reaction or other complications.
Effective traditional medicine recipes:
| Name | Recipe | Application |
| St. John's wort | Brew 3 tbsp. dry herbs with hot water (400-500 ml). Leave for 1-2 hours and strain. | The resulting decoction is recommended for use as compresses. Wet a cotton swab and apply it to the affected area of the body. It is recommended to carry out the procedures 3-5 times a day. |
| Herbal collection | Mix chamomile sage and peppermint in equal parts, 3 tbsp each. Pour boiling water (1 liter) over the resulting mixture. Put on fire and heat for another 10-15 minutes. Then cool and strain. | The herbal decoction is recommended for use in baths, lotions and washing the armpits. |
| Soda | Pour 2 tbsp. soda with warm water (200 ml). | The resulting solution is used to treat the affected areas of the child’s body. It is recommended to carry out the procedures at least 5 times a day. After baking soda, you can apply a moisturizer to your skin to help it recover faster. |
| Series | Pour 5 tbsp. herbs with hot water (1 l). Leave for 30 minutes and strain. | The resulting decoction is added to the bath while bathing. The series fights well against irritation, itching, and redness. |
| Starch | Dilute 90 g of product in 1 tbsp. warm water, mix well. | The resulting solution is poured into the bathroom. They bathe for 30 minutes and leave the bath without drying themselves with a towel. |
Ice will help relieve itching. Small pieces are wrapped in cloth and applied to the affected areas of the body. Oily vitamin E helps eliminate irritation and inflammation.
Lack of timely treatment will lead to complications. The child will itch, damage the blisters and cause an infection. There is also a high probability of scar formation. The entry of infection into the blood provokes the development of sepsis, and the functioning of internal organs is disrupted.
Additionally, complex therapy for rashes in the armpits in children involves preparing a special diet for the little patient. It is important to exclude from the menu all foods that increase the likelihood of an allergic reaction.
| Authorized Products | Prohibited Products |
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Drinking enough fluids will help remove toxins from the body and eliminate the accompanying symptoms of the pathological condition.
In most cases, armpit rashes in children are the result of failure to follow simple hygiene rules. Parents dress the child too warmly, he sweats, which also provokes an inflammatory process. You should contact your pediatrician to rule out the possibility of developing a serious illness. Because progressive pathological processes will lead to dangerous complications.
How to treat
First degree diaper rash is easy to treat. Basic principle: dry and soften the skin. Therefore, at the initial stage, a drying ointment, for example, zinc or Bepanten, and preventive measures in the form of taking air baths, bathing in herbs, regular washing, etc. are sufficient.
But if diaper rash does not go away, it is recommended not to self-medicate, but to consult a doctor. Together with your doctor, you will be able to develop a comprehensive approach to the disease using medications that speed up the healing process and have a bactericidal effect.
