Children, especially young ones, are very prone to skin issues. Hopefully, your doctor gave you a lot of good advice about skin conditions in babies and which ones are a cause for concern, but most parents don’t get quite as much information about skin issues in slightly older kids. But even when they’ve grown up a bit, their skin is still sensitive and they’re still likely to have some issues from time to time. The important thing is knowing when it is something minor that will pass on its own and when you need to see a doctor. If you do decide to seek professional help, you might want to use a doctor such as Dr. Brent Taylor to ensure that your child receives the best treatment possible. These are some of the most common causes of skin problems in children and how you can deal with them.
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Ringworm
Ringworm is quite a common skin condition in children and it catches easily, so if somebody at your child’s school gets it, it’s going to spread like wildfire. That’s why it’s important that you take them out of school until it passes if you notice that they have ringworm. It appears as red, scaly rings on the skin with a clear center and it can show up in a few different areas including the feet, groin, scalp, body, or face. There is also a strand of nail ringworm that causes a thick, deformed nail to develop. Most kids just catch ringworm from another child, and you can’t always avoid that, but there are certain things that increase their risk. If they are not getting the right nutrition, their risk of ringworm can be increased. Poor hygiene is a factor, so make sure that they are washing properly.
If your child does get ringworm, it won’t just go away on its own. You will need a treatment, usually an oral antifungal medication to get rid of it. So, as soon as you notice ringworm, you need to get to a doctor.
Bed Bugs
If your child has lots of red itchy bumps on the skin, and you notice that it starts to spread to other family members as well, it’s likely that you have a problem with bed bugs in the house. They’re notoriously hard to get rid of, so you need to get the house checked by an exterminator and have them administer a professional Bed Bug Treatment so you can be sure that they are all gone. The bites themselves will fade on their own without treatment, but it’s vital that you keep sheets washed regularly to stop the bugs from returning.
Tinea Versicolor
Tinea versicolor is a skin condition that can go unnoticed for a while because it doesn’t cause too much discomfort. It usually appears in adolescents and it causes light patches on the skin. It is fairly easily treated and you can even use dandruff shampoo, left on the skin overnight. However, it’s best to get it checked by the doctor to make sure that it is not a more serious condition. It usually comes and goes by itself and it’s not dangerous, but it’s always safer to check.
These are some of the most common causes of skin problems in children and how things like bed bug treatment can help. If you are unsure about anything, always seek the advice of a doctor.