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| Main > Adolescent > Adolescent Problems
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Rashes
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- atopic dermatitis (eczema): the adolescent form of eczema usually has its onset after age 12 with the development of itchy red areas on the wrists and ankles and on the flexural surfaces of the arms and legs (elbows and knees). The skin may be thickened, shiny and oozing and is usually very dry. Treatment is with daily use of moisturizers and topical steroid creams during breakouts. This is usually a chronic problem that will continue to improve and get worse for many years. See the Eczema Treatment Guide for more information.
- athletes foot: a fungal infection that causes a red, scaly, itchy rash and foot odor in adolescents. It usually begins in-between the toes and can spread to the instep. The main treatment for athlete's foot is the use of an over the counter antifungal cream, such as Tinactin or Lamisil. Wash and dry the feet thoroughly and then apply the cream to the rash and the surrounding skin twice a day for up to two to three weeks. You should continue the antifungal cream for at least a week after the rash goes away. Other steps you can take to help prevent athlete's foot is keep the feet dry by encouraging your child to go barefoot or wear sandals, wear cotton socks and change socks twice a day, and dry the feet carefully after showers.
- contact dermatitis: many agents can cause rashes in infants from direct irritation of the skin. These can include harsh soaps and detergents, saliva from excessive drooling, and bubble baths. This type of rash usually has mild redness and itchiness and improves with the use of a moisturizer or lubricant to protect the skin. Many agents can also cause an allergic contact dermatitis with a more intense reaction in the skin 7-10 days after being exposed to it. Common things that can cause allergic skin reactions include poison ivy, cosmetics, and metals. The rash usually is very red, itchy, with oozing, crusting and swelling and will improve with a mild potency hydrocortizone cream.
- impetigo: a skin infection caused by a bacteria that begins as a tiny red bump and quickly turns into a honey colored crusted plaque. It is most commonly found around the nose, but can occur on any area of skin that has been damaged. Impetigo is treated with antibiotics. For minor infections a topical antibiotic cream can be used, but more extensive cases will require an oral antibiotic.
- infections: rashes are commonly associated with many different types of viral infections, including roseola (causes high fever for 3-5 days and then once the fever goes away, small red bumps appear on the trunk that spread all over the body), fifth disease (causes red cheeks and then a fine lacelike red or pink rash on the arms), and chickenpox (causes small red bumps that turn into vesicles that crust over). See the Guide to Common Infections for more information on infections that can cause skin rashes.
- keratosis pilaris: causes small pinpoint size red bumps and rough and dry skin on the cheeks and the back of the upper arms and legs. It is a chronic condition that is difficult to treat, but may improve with lubricants or topical keratolytic creams, such as Eucerin Plus or LacHydrin.
- molluscum contagiosum: this is a type of wart caused by a virus. The rash consists of small flesh colored, dome shaped bumps with a crater in the center. They can be grouped on any skin surface, but are usually located on the head, neck and diaper area. Treatment is not required and this type of wart will go away on its own over several months to years. Treatment for more extensive or persistent warts can be treated with cryotherapy. An antiviral cream called Aldara is currently being tested in children to help with this common problem.
- ringworm (tinea corporis): a fungal infection that causes circular or annular shaped, red scaly patches with clear centers. It is usually found on non-hairy areas of the face, trunk, arms and legs and is easily treated with an OTC antifungal cream applied twice a day for two to four weeks.
- scabies: caused by a tiny mite that infects only humans. The mites burrow under the skin and lay their eggs, which hatch in 10-14 days. Scabies usually appear as itchy red bumps on the hands (especially in the finger webs), wrists, elbows, in the genital and underarm area and on the trunk. You may also see small S-shaped burrows on the skin where the mites are traveling and crusted nodules. Scabies are very contagious and usually affect everyone in the household. This condition can be treated with a single application of a prescription cream for 8-12 hours, although your child may continue to itch for one to two weeks as the skin heals.
- seborrheic dermatitis: causes yellow or salmon colored greasy scales and patchy redness that do not itch on the scalp, face, behind the ears and in skin folds. Mild forms can be treated with an anti-seborrheic shampoo with selenium sulfide, but more serious disease will require a topical steroid lotion.
- tinea capitis: common fungal infection of the scalp that causes scaling, patches of hair loss, and broken off hairs. Treatment of this condition requires the long-term use of an oral antifungal medicine, such as Griseofulvin. You can also use an anti-seborrheic shampoo to reduce how contagious your child is.
- warts: appear as irregular and rough bumps, most commonly on the arms and legs, but can occur on any skin surface. Warts are caused by an infection with the human papillomavirus, and usually do not cause any symptoms unless they are on the bottom of the feet or around the nails. Warts will go away on their own, but it may take one to two years for the process to be complete. Warts can be treated with cryotherapy, which uses liquid nitrogen to freeze the wart and surrounding skin to kill the virus, or by use of topical medicines that contain salicylic acid.
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