Skin rashes and itching are common in children, but figuring out why they’re scratching and how to relieve it can be frustrating! KidsStreet is here to help you sort it all out.

Symptoms of Skin Rash

Most symptoms of skin rash in kids are mild and can be treated at home. These include skin that is:

• Bumpy
• Dry
• Irritated
• Itchy
• Pink or red on lighter skin and brown or purple on darker skin

Some children may experience more severe symptoms, such as:

• Blisters
• Fever
• Full body rash
• Hives
• Signs of infection
• Sore throat
• Swelling

If your child is experiencing severe skin rash symptoms, they should be seen by a medical provider. KidsStreet Urgent Care can help!

What Causes Skin Rashes in Children?

There are four primary causes of rashes:

• Bacterial infections
• Fungal infections
• Viral infections
• Dermatitis

Bacterial Skin Rashes

Bacterial rashes are contagious and require topical or oral antibiotic treatment. Two common bacterial rashes are:

• Impetigo is caused by group A Streptococcus or Staphylococcus aureus. It is characterized by tiny red blisters that pop, ooze yellow fluid, and then form a “honey-colored” crust.
• Scarlet Fever is caused by group A Streptococcus. It is characterized by a red rash that feels like sandpaper and starts with a fever, headache, and sore throat. A classic sign is a tongue resembling a strawberry and paleness around your child’s lips.

Fungal Skin Rashes

Some fungal infection skin rashes are contagious and require topical or oral anti-fungal treatments. Fungi like to live in warm, moist areas, such as sweaty skin, shoes, and underwear. Two common fungal skin rashes your child might experience include:

• Ringworm—don’t panic—worms do not cause it! Ringworm is caused by fungi that live on the dead tissue on our hair, top skin layers, and toenails. It got its name because the rash looks like a ring with a clear center. It is usually red and itchy.
• Athlete’s Foot is a type of ringworm skin rash on the feet. It can be prevented by avoiding tight, wet shoes or socks and wearing shower shoes in common bathing areas like public pools.  

Viral Skin Rashes

As the name implies, viral skin rashes are caused by various viral infections. Some viral infections, such as chickenpox, measles, and rubella, can be prevented with vaccines. Viral skin rashes like molluscum contagiosum and hand, foot, and mouth disease do not currently have vaccines.

Viral skin rashes are usually treated with supportive care while the infection runs its course. You can try acetaminophen for fevers and anti-itch creams for itching. A few common viral rashes are:

• Fifth disease – Caused by the Parvovirus B19, fifth disease is characterized by a red rash on your little one’s cheeks. It then spreads to the rest of the body as pink patches that look like a lace design. They may have a fever with the rash.
• Roseola – Caused by human herpes viruses 6 and 7, roseola usually starts with a high fever. Then small pink or light-red spots develop on your child’s tummy, chest and back. It may spread to their face, arms, and legs. Roseola doesn’t usually itch, but your kiddo may have cold-like symptoms, like a runny nose, and it’s contagious until the fever breaks.  

Dermatitis

Dermatitis is a condition that triggers irritation and a rash on your child’s skin. Some examples include eczema, cradle cap, and diaper rash.

The most common type of dermatitis is contact dermatitis. This occurs when your kiddo’s skin comes into contact with a substance that causes an itchy rash as an allergic reaction. Some common irritants that may cause contact dermatitis include:

• Chemicals such as laundry detergents, soaps, and fabric softeners
• Insect bites and stings
• Poison Ivy, poison oak, and poison sumac

A poison ivy rash in childhood is common, but it doesn’t have to be inevitable. Let’s take a closer look at poison ivy to see how your child might get it, how you might prevent it, and most importantly, how to get relief!

Treating Poison Ivy Rash at Home

Most poison ivy rashes can be treated at home. Here are our best tips to help your little one get relief:

• Apply calamine lotion or cortisol cream to the rash, but avoid the face and genitals.
• Apply cold compresses to the rash.
• Bathe your child in a soothing oatmeal bath.
• Encourage your child to avoid scratching. Cut your kiddo’s nails short and put socks on their hands at night to keep them from scratching in their sleep.
• Give over-the-counter antihistamines such as Children’s Benadryl at night to help them rest.

When to Seek Medical Care for a Poison Ivy Rash

Your child needs to see a medical provider if the rash:

• Covers a large percentage of their body.
• Is on their face or genitals.
• Is getting worse.
• Looks infected, such as red streaking, swelling, or increased pain.

You should take your child to an emergency room if they have a known allergy to poison ivy, poison oak, or poison sumac or if they develop:

• Chest pain
• Difficulty breathing
• Difficulty swallowing
• Swollen tongue or throat