12 Common Summertime Skin Rashes in Children

Summertime is a fun time, playtime, splash time, a time when children are more active, spend more time outside, interact more with the natural environment, and enjoy and strengthen their bodies. Unfortunately, this increased interaction with the environment also puts them at higher risk of specific skin conditions. Here are the top 12 summertime skin problems in young children.

1. Heat rashes – due to the heat of summer and friction between the skin folds, certain parts of the body may develop red bumps or even blisters. Neck folds, elbows, and armpits are more prone to such rashes. Prevent them by dressing your child in comfortable and sweat-absorbing clothing- sometimes talc may help. 
2. Plant rashes – some of the plants may irritate the skin or cause allergic reactions, but children are often not aware of such dangers. So if any such plants grow in the neighborhood, it is better to teach a child about them. In case a child is exposed to such a plant, treat the skin with hydrocortisone cream.
3. Eczema – is an allergic reaction, it may occur to food items, due to dry air, overheating, or sweating, or it may be even triggered due to chlorine in a pool. If you know the reason for eczema then avoid exposure to it, and also one can buy anti-allergic ointment from the pharmacy.
4. Insect bites – may cause anything from mild discomfort and itchiness to severe anaphylactic shock in allergic children. The best is to teach a child about such dangers. If a child is known to have an anaphylactic reaction to an insect bite, then keeping an EpiPen at home makes sense, it may be injected before the arrival of emergency services.
5. Impetigo – is a common childhood bacterial infection that may cause rashes or blisters. It may require treatment with an antibiotic, thus better consult your pediatrician.
6. Swimmer’s itch – often occurs while swimming in lakes and other natural water reserves. It is caused due to a parasite that burrows into the skin. Thus avoid swimming at such places that are known to harbor these parasites. In case of exposure, tell a child, not to scratch. In most cases, it would get well without treatment, but some instances may require medical care.
7. Sandworms – as the name says, these are worms that are found in sand, and they may burrow into the child’s skin while playing with sand. It often happens at places where sand has been contaminated by the feces of animals. Usually, it would heal by itself in a month, but some cases may need treatment.
8. Folliculitis – also called hot tub rash, it occurs when taking a bath in untidy pools and tubs. In this condition, there is an infection of the hair follicle. It may sometimes need treatment with antibiotics.
9. Molluscum virus – yet another infection caught through contaminated water pools. It is a viral infection that causes dome-shaped bumps; rashes would generally occur on the chest, back, arms, or legs. It is a contagious infection thus a child must not share bedding or towel with others while infected. Fortunately, the disease is self-limiting, and a child would get well without any treatment.
10. Sweaty socks syndrome – caused due to extensive sweating of feet, often the result of wearing improper footwear. Thus the solution to the condition is to wear breathable footwear. If the skin of your toes cracks, then better consult your pediatrician.
11. Ringworm – is a fungal infection that can occur at any age. It happens more commonly in moist parts of the body. The rash is oval and usually very itchy. The rash is typically red at the edges, while not very red in the center. It is treated with antifungal ointments.
12. Hand, Foot & Mouth Disease – is caused by Enterovirus coxsackie, and as the name says, painful rashes are present around the mouth, inside the mouth, and at hands and feet (palm and soles). A child may develop a fever. Infection is self-limiting and would disappear within a week.