Learn which skin diseases are most frequent in children and their characteristic symptoms.
Childhood is one of the stages in which our skin is most vulnerable, which is why it is vital to pay attention to the symptoms and manifestations of skin diseases that can occur in children.
According to specialists from the Mexican Foundation for Dermatology (FMD) , these are the most common skin diseases in children.
Diaper dermatitis. It occurs in approximately 20% of the little ones between 9 and 12 months of age, in relation to the use of diapers and other hygiene products in contact with the skin of the buttocks, external genitalia, perineum, English, part of thighs, as well as the lower abdomen.
It is an inflammatory reaction of the skin caused by contact with urine, faeces or soaps, as well as prolonged heat or humidity and which is frequently aggravated by the use of creams and ointments that contain steroids or antibiotics, resulting in the overpopulation of a fungus. called candida sp., which are the cases that should be consulted and managed by the dermatologist, says Dr. Gladys León, vice president of the FMD.
Atopic Dermatitis. It is the most frequent skin disease in childhood as it occurs in 64% of children between 2 and 12 years old. It is a chronic, recurrent and multifactorial inflammatory disease, characterized by dry and itchy or itchy skin.
In infants they appear on the cheeks, initially; From age 2 to puberty, symptoms tend to be located in the folds of the arms and legs, eyelids, around the mouth, behind the ears, hands, feet, and fingers (between the fingers and the back).
Cradle cap or infant seborrheic dermatitis. It primarily affects infants and appears in areas of the skin where there are active sebaceous glands, which is why it is associated with excess sebum production after birth. It is characterized by generating greasy scales attached to the scalp, accompanied by inflammation and discharge.
Vulgar or petty warts. 70% of these infections appear as “petty” in children and adolescents of all races, of both sexes, which are caused by the human papillomavirus (HPV) and the vulgar ones are lesions of up to 1 cm. They are single or multiple and do not cause symptoms.
Molluscum contagiosum. It is an infection that affects boys and girls between 10 and 12 years of age, it is caused by the poxvirus, generally, in humid and hot climates, it can be transmitted by contact and the use of towels that are not properly sanitized.
It usually manifests on the face, trunk, and extremities with skin-colored or pinkish papules, which are uncomfortable and measure between one and three millimeters, generally less than 30 lesions appear, so it is necessary to go to the consultation with the dermatologist for accurate diagnosis and treatment.
The correct diagnosis is essential for the treatment of these, which are the most common skin diseases in children, so it is recommended in all cases to go to a pediatric dermatologist for proper management.