Common Skin Rashes in Children. 2015

Amanda Allmon, and Kristen Deane, and Kari L Martin
University of Missouri-Columbia School of Medicine, Columbia, MO, USA.

Because childhood rashes may be difficult to differentiate by appearance alone, it is important to consider the entire clinical presentation to help make the appropriate diagnosis. Considerations include the appearance and location of the rash; the clinical course; and associated symptoms, such as pruritus or fever. A fever is likely to occur with roseola, erythema infectiosum (fifth disease), and scarlet fever. Pruritus sometimes occurs with atopic dermatitis, pityriasis rosea, erythema infectiosum, molluscum contagiosum, and tinea infection. The key feature of roseola is a rash presenting after resolution of a high fever, whereas the distinguishing features in pityriasis rosea are a herald patch and a bilateral and symmetric rash in a Christmas tree pattern. The rash associated with scarlet fever usually develops on the upper trunk, then spreads throughout the body, sparing the palms and soles. Impetigo is a superficial bacterial infection that most commonly affects the face and extremities of children. Erythema infectiosum is characterized by a viral prodrome followed by the "slapped cheek" facial rash. Flesh-colored or pearly white papules with central umbilication occur with molluscum contagiosum, a highly contagious viral infection that usually resolves without intervention. Tinea is a common fungal skin infection in children that affects the scalp, body, groin, feet, hands, or nails. Atopic dermatitis is a chronic, relapsing inflammatory skin condition that may present with a variety of skin changes.

UI MeSH Term Description Entries
D008976 Molluscum Contagiosum A common, benign, usually self-limited viral infection of the skin and occasionally the conjunctivae by a poxvirus (MOLLUSCUM CONTAGIOSUM VIRUS). (Dorland, 27th ed)
D011537 Pruritus An intense itching sensation that produces the urge to rub or scratch the skin to obtain relief. Itching,Pruritis
D002648 Child A person 6 to 12 years of age. An individual 2 to 5 years old is CHILD, PRESCHOOL. Children
D003879 Dermatologic Agents Drugs used to treat or prevent skin disorders or for the routine care of skin. Agent, Dermatologic,Agent, Dermatological,Agents, Dermatologic,Dermatologic Agent,Dermatological Agents,Agents, Dermatological,Dermatological Agent
D004485 Eczema A dermatitis characterized by a spongiotic tissue reaction pattern occurring as a reaction to many endogenous and exogenous agents. Dermatitis, Eczematous,Eczematous Dermatitis
D004502 Education, Medical, Continuing Educational programs designed to inform physicians of recent advances in their field. Medical Education, Continuing,Continuing Medical Education,Education, Continuing Medical
D005076 Exanthema Diseases in which skin eruptions or rashes are a prominent manifestation. Classically, six such diseases were described with similar rashes; they were numbered in the order in which they were reported. Only the fourth (Duke's disease), fifth (ERYTHEMA INFECTIOSUM), and sixth (EXANTHEMA SUBITUM) numeric designations survive as occasional synonyms in current terminology. Rash,Skin Rash,Exanthem,Rash, Skin
D006801 Humans Members of the species Homo sapiens. Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man
D014005 Tinea Fungal infection of keratinized tissues such as hair, skin and nails. The main causative fungi include MICROSPORUM; TRICHOPHYTON; and EPIDERMOPHYTON. Dermatophytoses,Epidermophytosis,Ringworm,Tinea Corporis,Trichophytosis,Dermatophytosis,Trichophyton mentagrophytes Infection,Epidermophytoses,Infection, Trichophyton mentagrophytes,Tineas,Trichophyton mentagrophytes Infections,Trichophytoses
D014481 United States A country in NORTH AMERICA between CANADA and MEXICO.

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