Eczema

Understanding Your Child’s Eczema

This is a skin condition where the child’s skin become red, itchy and inflamed.

One of the most common causes of eczema is known as Atopic Dermatitis. It affects older kids as well as infants.

You can be rest assured that our team will take exceptional care of your child, as we understand the importance of your child’s skin health.

Common Cause of Eczema

Atopic Dermatitis

Condition

A long-term condition that’s common amongst children. The skin becomes dry, red, sore and itchy. Children in families with a history of atopic dermatitis, asthma or hay fever are more likely to develop this condition.

During the early stages, it is recommended to speak to a dermatologist in order to have an accurate diagnosis and also to receive immediate treatment. The appearance of this condition may vary from one child to the other.

Treatment

Based on the severity of the symptoms, this condition can be treated with topical medications or other effective treatments:

• Restore the skin barrier with gentle cleanser and moisturisers
• Effective control with appropriate strength steroid creams or steroid free anti-inflammatory creams
• Antibiotics, anti-itch tablets, oral steroids, wet wraps, phototherapy or oral anti-inflammatory medicines may be required for severe cases

Birthmarks

Understanding Your Child’s Birthmarks

Babies can develop many types of skin conditions shortly after they are born. A high percentage of babies are born with birthmarks and some can be worrying for parents. Sometimes, birthmarks fade over some time while others are permanent.

Common Types of Birthmarks

Moles

• They may appear flat or raised, large or small, round or oval or even- colored
• Moles on a child’s skin are generally normal. The moles will naturally grow as the child ages. Sometimes, the moles may even fade away as they grow older; changes are common. However, if the growth of the mole is growing quickly or looks different from your child’s other moles, then it is recommended that immediate action be taken to speak to a dermatologist. This is because it could be a sign of melanoma (a type of skin cancer).

Café-Au-Lait Macules

• Birthmarks that are flat and pigmente; often light brown in colour.
• Common and normally present at birth or during early infancy. A skin examination may be used to diagnose them. Thankfully, these are generally benign.

Mongolian Spots

• Grey or blue-ish spots (often mistaken as bruises).
• Common in asian children; appear on the back or buttocks area. Normally fade within the first two years.

Nevus of Ota

• Blue or gray patch on the face
• Common among Asian children but rare in Caucasians (80% of cases occurring in females).

Common Childhood Skin Disorders

Viral Warts

Condition

It’s common for a child to have skin warts. Viruses cause warts and they are contagious but typically harmless.

Treatment

They are often left to fade away as they do not harm a child’s health.

Molluscum Contagiosum

Condition

A mild skin rash that’s caused by a viral infection (pink, white or skin-colored rash). It is most common among kids between the ages of 1 and 12.

Treatment

It is left to fade away on its own without treatment in many cases. It’ll normally disappear in about 2 to 3 months. Sometimes, treatment is carried out to remove the growth quickly.

Hand, Foot and Mouth Disease (HFMD)

Condition

This illness causes sores in or on the mouth and on the hands, feet and sometimes legs. This illness usually does not last for more than a week and is very common among children. It’s contagious and spreads easily through coughing and sneezing.

Treatment

Home remedies can be used to help relieve your child’s symptoms.

Folliculitis

Condition

A common bacterial infection; it’s a benign skin disorder that shows up as red dots and affects people of all ages including babies. A child with this condition will develop many little red bumps where on their body hair follicles.

Treatment

Treatment for this condition depends on the extent of the growth and the location. Folliculitis fades away on its own most of the time.

Impetigo

Condition

Children are more prone to developing Impetigo if they have eczema, exposed to poison ivy, insect bites, and cuts or scrapes. It begins as a red sore or a blister.

Treatment

Prescribed antibiotic cream by a GP can treat this condition.

Candida Infections

Condition

Yeast infection can affect children as well. Rashes can develop in moist and warm areas; the affected area can be painful. They are often mistaken for pimples.

Treatment

Proper hygiene can prevent a child from developing yeast infections. Washing and keeping the skin dry regularly is important.

Pityrosporum Folliculitis

Condition

This is a common inflammatory skin disorder that may look like back acne. It’s important to keep the skin cool and dry.

Treatment

Topical and oral antifungal medicines are used to treat this condition.

Infantile Seborrhoeic Dermatitis

Condition

This commonly affects infants and cause yellow crusty greasy scaling. Most commonly found on the scalp. When confined to the scalp, it is known as “cradle cap”.

It’s extremely common and usually appears in the first few weeks of a child’s life. Cradle cap is greasy, yellow scaling patches that may eventually turn into a thick, scaly layer.

Treatment

• Before shampooing, oils or ointments can be applied to soften the scales
• Prescribed medicated gentle shampoo may be used to loosen and remove the scales
• If necessary, a mild steroid lotion may be applied for a short course