Rashes in Toddlers

A rash is inflammation of the skin, accompanied with red spots and change in texture or color of the skin. Rashes can appear either on localized or all over the body. Depending on the type of rash, they can be itchy rash or non-itchy rash, scaly or non-scaly rash. In medical terms a rash is termed as exanthem. Skin rashes in toddlers is one of the many childhood diseases, which most people go through. Though most rashes go away on their own, skin rashes in toddlers should be taken lightly. It is important to have your child examined by a physician.

Symptoms of Skin Rashes in Toddlers
Symptoms vary according to the different rashes that toddlers get. The most common symptoms of rashes in children are enumerated here.

• Chickenpox: It is also known as varicella and is caused by a virus called varicella-zoster. This rash is not harmful to toddlers and lasts up to two weeks. The symptoms of chickenpox are seen 12-21 days after the toddler is infected with, a toddler can be exposed to it and yet not get infected by it so use infected to be on the safer side the virus. The most common symptoms of this rash are fever, sore throat, fatigue and the appearance of an itchy rash. The rash initially usually targets body parts like the armpits, groin or scalp. Usually a blister is formed, which ruptures into a lesion which forms a crust.
• German Measles: German Measles are also referred to as Rubella. Rubi virus causes this skin rash in toddlers. The face is the first body part which is hit by this virus. Pink rashes appear on the face, which later spread to the entire body. Often German Measles cause lymph nodes swelling behind the ear in children. Toddlers usually take approximately three days to recover from the rash.
• Measles: A virus called Paramyxo- virus causes measles. A vaccine to prevent measles is available in the market and the vaccine is safe and effective against measles. The symptoms of measles are cough, fever, nasal congestion, redness of the eyes and decreased appetite. On the third or the fourth day of the symptoms, a brown rash is seen on the face, which then spreads to the entire body. The rash usually lasts three to four days.
• Roseola Infatum: It is caused by human herpes virus 6. Roseola Infatum affects children below the age of two. The common symptoms are very high fever for two to five days. As the fever starts to go away the rash appears. The rash is pink in color and has lesions, which first appear on the stomach and spreads to the extremities of the body. In about two to three days the rash disappears.
• Eczema: Usually toddlers with dry skin are affected with eczema, also called atopic dermatitis. The most common characteristics of these rashes in toddlers is itching. Toddlers develop itchy red rashes on their cheeks as the first symptom of eczema. The rash then spreads to the neck and then all over the body, specially the groin. The itching makes the child restless and irritated usually at night.
• Diaper Rash: This is a form of dermatitis, which affects the buttocks, genitals, thigh folds and the lower abdomen of the toddler. Diaper rash is caused when the toddler’s diaper is not changed frequently and the feces remain in contact with the skin. Usually this rash is flat and red in color.
• Scarlet Fever: Streptococcal bacteria causes fever, redness and swelling of the throat and tonsils. It is also known as strep throat. Scarlet fever is strep throat accompanied by rashes. Scarlet fever symptoms are sore throat and fever. After one or two days of the symptoms, a red rash similar to the coarseness of sandpaper appears all over the child’s body.

To prevent rashes in toddlers it is important that the environment around the toddler is kept clean and hygienic. Diaper rashes occur especially due to unhygienic living conditions and not inculcating the right habits. If the child suffers, the parents suffer as well. Hence, its always better to prevent skin rashes from occurring in toddlers than having to deal with them.