Itching
Posted by
admin 2 April, 2009
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That familiar tickling sensation on the skin is the most prominent symptom in many skin diseases and allergies. Skin that is too dry and scaly commonly causes itching as well, and many drug reactions result in itching (especially reactions to codeine and some antibiotics). Some types of rough clothing, soap, and detergents can trigger an itching response in some sensitive children.
In addition, a wide range of disorders produce itching, including HIVES, ECZEMA, FUNGAL INFECTIONS, and PSORIASIS. Itching all over the body may be caused by diabetes mellitus, kidney failure, JAUNDICE, thyroid problems, or blood disorders. Anal itching in children is usually caused by worms, although it also may be caused by an anal fissure or persistent diarrhea, or by too-rough cleansing after defecation. Infestations of LICE or SCABIES, or insect bites, can cause severe itching. Itching around the vulva may be caused by a yeast infection or hormonal changes at puberty.
Treatment
Specific treatment of itching depends on the underlying cause, but in general cooling lotions such as calamine can ease the itch and irritation of the skin. Emollients can reduce skin drying and ease itching for those with dry skin. Soothing lukewarm baths in colloidal oatmeal or Aveeno bath can ease the itch caused by hives or skin rashes such as CHICKEN POX or POISON IVY.
Because soap can irritate itchy skin, especially if the skin is dry or has a rash, it should be used only when really necessary. Mild cleansing solutions or water alone may be enough to keep itchy skin clean.
While scratching can temporarily ease an itch, it can actually make itching worse over time by overstimulation. The urge to scratch can be suppressed by using lotions or salves or by applying cool wet compresses to the affected area. Systemic medications such as antihistamines also can be effective.
In addition, a wide range of disorders produce itching, including HIVES, ECZEMA, FUNGAL INFECTIONS, and PSORIASIS. Itching all over the body may be caused by diabetes mellitus, kidney failure, JAUNDICE, thyroid problems, or blood disorders. Anal itching in children is usually caused by worms, although it also may be caused by an anal fissure or persistent diarrhea, or by too-rough cleansing after defecation. Infestations of LICE or SCABIES, or insect bites, can cause severe itching. Itching around the vulva may be caused by a yeast infection or hormonal changes at puberty.
Treatment
Specific treatment of itching depends on the underlying cause, but in general cooling lotions such as calamine can ease the itch and irritation of the skin. Emollients can reduce skin drying and ease itching for those with dry skin. Soothing lukewarm baths in colloidal oatmeal or Aveeno bath can ease the itch caused by hives or skin rashes such as CHICKEN POX or POISON IVY.
Because soap can irritate itchy skin, especially if the skin is dry or has a rash, it should be used only when really necessary. Mild cleansing solutions or water alone may be enough to keep itchy skin clean.
While scratching can temporarily ease an itch, it can actually make itching worse over time by overstimulation. The urge to scratch can be suppressed by using lotions or salves or by applying cool wet compresses to the affected area. Systemic medications such as antihistamines also can be effective.
Categories : Health and Wellness
Rash
Posted by
admin 17 March, 2009
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A temporary group of spots or red, inflamed skin that may include pimples, hives, scales, or wheals that may or may not be itchy. Only rarely does a rash in a child signify a serious underlying problem. Rashes differ so much among patients that even experienced doctors may sometimes have trouble diagnosing the exact cause. A rash from simple diaper irritation could be treated at home, but a rash that occurs together with swollen lymph nodes, fever, and other symptoms could be more serious and requires a doctor’s attention.
Other common causes of a rash during childhood might include one of the following:
• Heat or sun In general, children tend to have very sensitive skin that may react to overexposure to either heat or sun, causing conditions such as PRICKLY HEAT or SUNBURN.
• Allergic reactions One of the most common causes of rash in children is an allergic reaction to many different substances, such as plants, nickel, food (peanuts, berries), rubber or latex, and so on. Some children react to a bite from an insect, SCABIES, or tick with a rash.
• Drug reaction Many drugs (especially antibiotics) can trigger a rash in children who are sensitive to them, together with other symptoms. A child who develops a rash soon after taking medication should be taken immediately to a doctor for an assessment.
• Disease Common diseases of childhood typically cause a rash in children, such as SCARLET FEVER, CHICKEN POX, or MEASLES. Other diseases that are not infectious include LYME DISEASE, RHEUMATIC FEVER, and juvenile rheumatoid arthritis.
• Eczema Children who tend to have allergies or asthma may also have eczema, especially if they have sensitive skin.
• Infestations Scabies is a very contagious infestation of tiny mites that tunnel into the skin, causing an intensely itchy rash.
• Intertrigo During hot weather, moisture and heat can be trapped within skin folds, causing a skin rash on arms, knees, neck, diaper area, or armpits.
• Skin infection Several types of rashes are caused by skin infections, including IMPETIGO, a very contagious bacterial skin infection, and RINGWORM, a contagious fungal skin rash.
Treatment
The underlying source of the rash should be treated immediately; in severe cases, a doctor may prescribe an antihistamine or corticosteroid ointment; the latter should not be used without a doctor’s supervision. Home remedies can ease the itch. Remedies that may work include:
• Cool water Cool compresses can temporarily stop an itch almost immediately; immersion in a tepid (not too cold) oatmeal bath will also stop itching. Colloidal oatmeal bath preparations are available at most pharmacies.
• Moisturize the skin After bathing or to help stop the itch, a mild, unscented lotion or cream should be applied to the child’s skin.
• Humidify During the winter a humidifier can add moisture to the air the child breathes so that the skin does not become too dry; dry skin is usually itchy skin.
• Comfortable clothing A child with an itchy rash should wear soft, comfortable clothes to minimize irritation of sensitive skin.
• No irritating substances Children with a rash should not use bubble bath or scented soaps, which can further irritate sensitive skin.
Other common causes of a rash during childhood might include one of the following:
• Heat or sun In general, children tend to have very sensitive skin that may react to overexposure to either heat or sun, causing conditions such as PRICKLY HEAT or SUNBURN.
• Allergic reactions One of the most common causes of rash in children is an allergic reaction to many different substances, such as plants, nickel, food (peanuts, berries), rubber or latex, and so on. Some children react to a bite from an insect, SCABIES, or tick with a rash.
• Drug reaction Many drugs (especially antibiotics) can trigger a rash in children who are sensitive to them, together with other symptoms. A child who develops a rash soon after taking medication should be taken immediately to a doctor for an assessment.
• Disease Common diseases of childhood typically cause a rash in children, such as SCARLET FEVER, CHICKEN POX, or MEASLES. Other diseases that are not infectious include LYME DISEASE, RHEUMATIC FEVER, and juvenile rheumatoid arthritis.
• Eczema Children who tend to have allergies or asthma may also have eczema, especially if they have sensitive skin.
• Infestations Scabies is a very contagious infestation of tiny mites that tunnel into the skin, causing an intensely itchy rash.
• Intertrigo During hot weather, moisture and heat can be trapped within skin folds, causing a skin rash on arms, knees, neck, diaper area, or armpits.
• Skin infection Several types of rashes are caused by skin infections, including IMPETIGO, a very contagious bacterial skin infection, and RINGWORM, a contagious fungal skin rash.
Treatment
The underlying source of the rash should be treated immediately; in severe cases, a doctor may prescribe an antihistamine or corticosteroid ointment; the latter should not be used without a doctor’s supervision. Home remedies can ease the itch. Remedies that may work include:
• Cool water Cool compresses can temporarily stop an itch almost immediately; immersion in a tepid (not too cold) oatmeal bath will also stop itching. Colloidal oatmeal bath preparations are available at most pharmacies.
• Moisturize the skin After bathing or to help stop the itch, a mild, unscented lotion or cream should be applied to the child’s skin.
• Humidify During the winter a humidifier can add moisture to the air the child breathes so that the skin does not become too dry; dry skin is usually itchy skin.
• Comfortable clothing A child with an itchy rash should wear soft, comfortable clothes to minimize irritation of sensitive skin.
• No irritating substances Children with a rash should not use bubble bath or scented soaps, which can further irritate sensitive skin.
Categories : Health and Wellness
Hives
Posted by
admin 1 January, 2009
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Raised, red blotchy welts of various sizes that can appear and disappear randomly on the surface of the skin. This reaction is known medically as urticaria (from the Latin word urtica for “nettle”).
About one in five children experiences hives at some point in their lives, which are physically uncomfortable but generally harmless. Eventually, hives will disappear on their own without leaving any marks or scars.
Cause
While the cause of the reaction is often unknown, hives appear when a child is exposed to a trigger, prompting certain cells in the body to release histamine, a chemical released during allergic reactions. Hives appear when histamine causes blood plasma to leak from the small blood vessels under the skin.
A wide variety of triggers have been known to cause hives, including food, pollen, animal dander, drugs, insect bites, infections, illness, cold, heat, light, or stress. Foods that have been linked with hives include shellfish, fish, berries, nuts, eggs, and milk. Penicillin and aspirin are two types of drugs that may also trigger hives in susceptible patients.
In rare cases, hives can swell significantly and affect deeper layers of the skin and other parts of the body. This condition is called angioedema. In some children, there may be a genetic component to the angioedema. Termed “hereditary angioedema,” this condition is characterized by nonitchy swellings lasting three or four days that may be triggered by trauma or may appear spontaneously. With angioedema, the hands, feet, eyelids, lips, and even breathing passages can swell. Treatment for these is the same as for common hives.
Diagnosis
The pediatrician may be able to determine the cause of hives with a detailed medical history, including a detailed diary of exposure to foods, chemicals, new products, and possible irritants over a period of two weeks to a month before onset. However, because hives may be triggered by such a wide variety of irritants, it may never be possible to find out the exact cause.
Treatment
In many cases, hives will disappear or fade away on their own without any treatment. More persistent cases will respond to antihistamines, but other drugs also may be prescribed by the pediatrician, including adrenaline or epinephrine, terbutaline, oral corticosteroids, or cimetidine.
Categories : Health and Wellness
