Dry, itchy, red skin and rashes are not uncommon in children, but what if they linger or come back often? According to Certified Physician Assistant Amanda Palmer of U.S. Dermatology Partners Canyon Lake, “Parents often contact me to ask if their child’s skin condition is a rash or something more serious like eczema. Temporary skin irritation should clear up with minimal intervention, but eczema may get worse overtime. Some treatments for rashes and allergic response can also trigger more severe eczema flareups. For this reason, it’s important to know the difference and talk to a dermatology provider about your child’s skin health needs and goals as soon as you notice concerns.” In this blog, Amanda Palmer talks about the basic differences between rashes and eczema as well as child eczema treatment options.
Rash vs. Eczema – How to Tell the Difference
When it comes to telling the difference between rashes and eczema flareups, Amanda Palmer says, “I like to tell parents that the most significant difference between a rash and eczema is the time it takes to heal. Unless your child is repeatedly exposed to an allergen or irritant, rashes should clear up within a few days to a week. While eczema flareups heal relatively quickly, they have a tendency to linger, and flareups can return frequently when exposed to triggers.” Below, Amanda Palmer dives into the basic symptoms of eczema and rashes and how they differ.
Rashes
Rash is a term that can be used to describe numerous changes in skin health, like redness, itching, and bumps, that occur after exposure to an environmental irritant. Rashes often develop quickly. They can spread rapidly, but they typically fade within a few days. Common types of rashes in children include:
- Heat rash – occurs when heat and humidity blocks sweat glands, leading to itchy red bumps. This condition clears up quickly once the child cools down and the area is kept free of moisture.
- Allergic reaction – exposure to specific foods, environmental aggressors, medications, or insect bites can all lead to allergic skin rash. May be red, itchy skin or hives and swelling in more advanced cases.
- Viral skin rash – chickenpox, hand-foot-and-mouth disease, and roseola can all lead to skin rash. Viral rashes typically occur alongside symptoms like fatigue, fever, and sore throat. The rash will usually resolve once the viral infection is cleared.
- Contact dermatitis – this condition occurs when skin is in contact with ingredients that cause irritation to skin.
So, When Is It More Than Just a Rash?
If your child is experiencing any of the following, it may be more than a simple skin rash:
- Recurrent rashes in the same areas repeatedly.
- Generally dry, itchy, or scaly skin.
- Rashes that worsen in cold weather or after bathing.
Eczema (Atopic Dermatitis)
According to Amanda Palmer, “Eczema, sometimes referred to clinically as atopic dermatitis, is a chronic inflammatory skin condition. The main symptoms of eczema closely resemble a rash, including dry, itchy skin and redness. Eczema is frequently diagnosed in early childhood. Some kids grow out of this condition. For others, flareups continue into adulthood. Unlike rashes that tend to heal on their own relatively quickly, eczema needs to be managed to reduce the risk for flareups and diminish the severity of symptoms.” The underlying cause of eczema rash on children’s skin isn’t known, but there are some factors that increase risk for developing this condition, including:
- Genetic predisposition with one or more family member having eczema.
- Health factors like asthma or severe allergies.
- Generally sensitive skin.
- Living in drier climates.
- Regular exposure to skin irritants like dyes, fragrances, and chemicals.
Symptoms of Eczema in Children
Eczema flareups can be difficult to heal, so it’s important to prevent flareups when possible and intervene quickly when irritation occurs. The easiest way to manage atopic dermatitis is to familiarize yourself with the common childhood eczema symptoms like:
- Persistent itch – even when rashes aren’t visible, dryness and inflammation related to eczema may cause skin to continue feeling itchy or irritated.
- Dry, red, scaly skin – the reason eczema is often mistaken for skin rash is simple, it causes redness, itch, and irritation just like rashes.
- Skin changes related to chronic eczema – thickened, hardened skin and hyper or hypopigmentation may occur due to chronic eczema. Skin may also become infected more often.
- Specific age-related eczema symptoms – infants often show eczema on their face and scalp. Toddlers and young children are more likely to see eczema developing in the bends of elbows and knees and those with chronic eczema may see thickening. Adolescents and teens may experience more frequent flareups as stress and hormone levels increase.
- Emotional affects – eczema in children doesn’t just impact their skin. It can also affect sleep, which can lead to difficulty with concentration and moodiness. Frequent eczema flareups can also negatively affect self-esteem.
How to Treat Eczema in Children
Eczema treatment for kids should focus on soothing symptoms during flareups and preventing future symptom development. With proper care, children typically achieve and maintain skin clarity. A dermatologist-recommended eczema management and treatment plan combines the following:
- Gentle, consistent skincare – it’s important to keep skin clean and moisturized. Use a gentle cleanser free of fragrances and dyes. Apply a thick moisturizing cream formulated for sensitive skin. In the morning, finish up with sunscreen to protect from sun damage.
- Change shower or bathtime routines – rather than using hot water and spending long periods of time bathing, use lukewarm water and keep baths and showers to 10 minutes or less. After showering, pat dry gently and apply moisturizing cream or Aquaphor immediately to maximize skin hydration.
- Avoid triggers – identify individual triggers and minimize or avoid exposure to these triggers to reduce risk for eczema flareups.
- Over-the-counter treatments – hydrocortisone and anti-itch lotions like colloidal oatmeal soothe skin irritation.
- Prescription treatments – prescribed corticosteroids, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory treatments, antibiotics, antivirals, light therapy, and biologics can all be utilized to manage chronic eczema.
- Use barrier repair creams – thick, moisturizers like ceramides, niacinamides, and shea butters to repair the skin’s protective barrier.
- Lifestyle adjustments – use a humidifier during dry, winter months to moisturize air, dress in breathable fabrics, teach kids to rub gently or apply cold compresses instead of scratching when itch occurs, manage stress, get plenty of sleep, and be consistent with skincare.
When to See a Dermatology Provider
Many parents hesitate to take their child to a dermatologist because they don’t want to overreact. However, seeking dermatology care provides an accurate diagnosis and treatment for rash or eczema, can identify triggers, prescribe child-safe medications, and partner with parents to develop a skincare routine for their kids. The sooner eczema is diagnosed and treated, the easier it will be to treat, reducing risk for skin infections, scaling, and discomfort related to eczema. Still not sure when to see a dermatology provider for eczema or rash? Consider the following:
- Has a rash persisted for more than two weeks?
- Does skin crack, ooze, or cause the child pain?
- Are there signs of infection, like pus or fever?
- Is itching disrupting your child’s sleep?
- Do you want to get a definitive eczema diagnosis for your child?
Conclusion: Identify & Treat Rash or Eczema
In conclusion, Amanda Palmer says, “It’s a natural part of parenting to worry about your kids. When their skin is red, itchy, and irritated, we want to help them alleviate these symptoms quickly and get them back to feeling their best. Whatever the underlying cause of your child’s irritated skin, we’re here to help you resolve the issue quickly. That way they feel better, and you can worry a little less.”
Scheduled a Dermatology Consultation
Whether your child has a rash or eczema, it may be beneficial to visit a dermatology provider to ensure symptoms are managed and skin heals quickly thanks to clear diagnosis, custom treatment plans, and personalized skincare options. Getting started with an appointment for your child at U.S. Dermatology Partners is simple. Take a few moments to fill out our online scheduling request form. Once we hear from you, a member of our team will be in touch to finalize your child’s upcoming appointment.
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