Skin Infections In Children During Monsoon.

Rain, rain go away!

Come again another day.

Rain, rain go away!

Little Baby wants to play. 

Rain, rain go away!!!

Hi,

                    Despite the request by the teeny weeny kids!, the rain doesn’t seem to stop! nor does the skin infection diseases stop pouring in! during the Monsoons!!!.

                    The humidity during monsoon encourages the growth of various bacteria and fungi causing an array of bacterial and fungal skin infections. The drastic changes in the humidity levels in the atmosphere during monsoon make the skin fluctuate from being oily to dry and vice versa!.

                     Children are more prone to infections during monsoons and get easily affected by the bacteria and fungi that cause various skin infections. Therefore taking proper care of children and their skin hygiene is of utmost importance during the monsoon season to keep the skin diseases at bay.

Following are some of the common skin infections that affect children during monsoon -

1. Prickly heat rash - 

——————————

                In monsoons children tend to sweat a lot, causing his/her skin pores to clog and develop a heat rash. It is a red, itchy, pimply eruption on the skin and causes a lot of discomfort and can get infected if not treated properly. It usually appears on the neck, underarms, back and near the edges of the diaper area.

Prevention : 

- Regular bathing with mild soap.

- Dressing in light and breathable cotton clothing.

- Staying hydrated and cool, avoiding hot and humid places.

Treatment : 

Along with following the above-mentioned preventative measures.

- Applying calamine lotion and anhydrous lanolin.

- Using prickly heat powder when necessary.

- Avoiding skin products that contain petroleum or mineral oil. 

- One must consult the doctor if the rash doesn’t improve or gets worse. The doctor may prescribe topical steroid like hydrocortisone cream and oral antibiotics if there is an infection.

You can buy solutions for Prickly heat rash from :

——————————————————————-

2. Diaper/Nappy rash -

———————————

                Diaper/Nappy rash is most common in babies. The heat and humidity of the monsoon can make baby sweat a lot in a nappy causing rashes to develop. However, the main reason for diaper rash is wetness from contact with pee or potty. Diaper/Nappy rash usually looks red and inflamed and affects baby's genitals and skin folds in the thighs and bottom. Diaper rash can grow into a fungal or bacterial infection if not treated properly. A fungal infection results in red spots that merge to become big red blotches whereas a bacterial infection results in oozing yellow patches or pus-filled pimples.

Prevention : 

- Changing the baby’s diaper/nappy often.

- Using ointment after every diaper change.

- Do not over-tighten the diaper.

- Regular diaper-free time.

- Avoiding irritants like harsh scented baby wipes, lotions and soaps.

- Use mild and fragrance-free soap, wipes and lotions with natural ingredients.

- Washing cloth diapers with mild detergent.

Treatment :

Along with following the above-mentioned preventative measures.

- Applying a thick layer of barrier diaper rash cream or ointment that contains petroleum jelly or zinc oxide to keep the baby's delicate skin protected from moisture.

- If the rash doesn’t improve or gets worse consult the doctor, the doctor may prescribe a mild steroid or hydrocortisone cream, an antifungal cream if it’s a fungal infection, oral antibiotics or an antibiotic cream if it’s a bacterial infection.

You can buy solutions for Diaper/Nappy rash from :

———————————————————————-

3. Boils -

—————

                      A Boil is a painful, red swelling of the skin with a white or yellow tip at the centre. Boils are itchy and mildly painful and are filled with pus. Boils are contagious and can spread to other parts of the body or other people with skin contact. Boils are caused because of the infection called ‘folliculitis’, where the hair follicle becomes infected by bacteria called ‘Staphylococcus aureus ‘(staph bacteria). Boils usually occur in places where there is hair, friction and sweat such as face, neck, arms pits, thighs, buttocks. The humidity in monsoon accelerates the growth of such bacteria causing skin infections. Boils cause a lot of discomfort to the child and can make the child develop a fever and feel sick.

Prevention :

- Maintaining good hygiene.

- Keeping the nails short and well-trimmed.

- Taking proper care of cuts, scratches.

- Using antibacterial soap and bodywash.

- Avoid close skin contact with an infected person.

- Avoid sharing clothes, towels and personal items.

Treatment :

Along with following the above-mentioned preventative measures.

- Placing a warm moist washcloth/cotton ball compress over the pus boil to relieve swelling and speed up the healing process.

- Using antibacterial wipes, wash and sterile dressing to -prevent infection when a boil bursts.

- Using prescribed antiseptic or antibiotic ointment.

- Taking prescribed oral antibiotics if the boils are large.

- Consult the doctor if, the child develops fever.

You can buy solutions for Boils from :

—————————————————-

4. Scabies -

——————

                  Scabies is a highly contagious infection caused by an infestation of tiny mites on the skin. It is a red rash that causes intense itching, small pimples or red bumps, burrows, scaly or crusty skin. The itching is caused by the mites burrowing into the skin where they lay eggs that hatch a few days later. Scabies is usually found in skin folds, between fingers, on elbows, armpits, tummy, genitals and child’s scalp too. The hot and humid monsoon season serves a perfect ground for the infection to spread easily. Children pick up scabies through skin-to-skin contact with someone who has it. 

Prevention :

- Avoiding direct contact with an infected person.

- Avoid sharing clothing or bedding, combs, towels, toys and personal items with an infected person.

- Maintaining good personal hygiene.

- Maintaining proper hygiene of the house.

Treatment :

Along with following the above-mentioned preventative measures.

- Using prescription creams and lotions such as permethrin.

- Using other creams and lotions like Crotamiton cream, Lindane lotion or cream, Sulfur ointment.

- Taking oral medicines to kill the mites.

- Taking antihistamine medicine to help relieve itching.

You can buy solutions for Scabies from :

———————————————————

5. Eczema -

——————-

Eczema is itchy, dry, rough, flakey, inflamed, and irritated skin. The exact cause of Eczema is not known. However, genes, milk and other foods tend to cause Eczema. Eczema is not contagious and usually affects the arms, inner elbows, backs of the knees, or head particularly the cheeks and the scalp. Temperature changes, drop in humidity, sweating during monsoon causes Eczema to flare up. Eczema causes intense itching, small and raised bumps, red or brownish-grey patches, thickened scaly skin, crusty patches of dried yellowish ooze if infected.

Prevention :

- Maintaining good skin hygiene.

- Keeping the skin well moisturised to prevent dryness which can flare up Eczema.

- Avoiding irritants like harsh soaps, rough fabrics and harsh detergents.

- Improving sleep.

- Reducing stress.

Treatment :

Along with following the above-mentioned preventative measures.

- Taking Oral over-the-counter antihistamines may relieve itching.

- Using Cortisone (steroid) creams and ointments can relieve itching and scaling.

- Taking oral Corticosteroids in severe cases.

- Using topical or oral antibiotic if there is an infection.

You can buy solutions for Eczema from :

———————————————————

6. Ringworm -

———————

                 Ringworm is a contagious fungal skin infection. It appears as a circular or ring-shaped rash. It forms a red, scaly, and itchy patch or several patches. Ringworms can appear anywhere on the body but it usually tends to appear on folds of skin like groin, shoulder, elbow, scalp and face. It causes a lot of discomfort and inconvenience to the child. The warm and moist monsoon climate accelerates the growth of fungus which cause fungal skin infections.

Prevention :

- Maintaining good hygiene.

- Keeping the skin dry, cool, clean and avoid excessive sweating.

- Avoid sharing personal items like clothing, towels, combs, hats, toys, sheets etc.

Treatment : 

Along with following the above-mentioned preventative measures.

- Using topical medications such as antifungal creams, ointments, gels, and sprays containing clotrimazole, miconozale. 

- Taking prescribed oral antifungal medications.

- Antifungal shampoo if ringworm affects the scalp.

You can buy solutions for Ringworm from :

———————————————————-

7. Fungal nail infection -

————————————

                     Fungal nail infection develops due to overexposure to water, damage to the nail, or scratching sweaty or infected skin. Moisture or debris trapped under the nails encourages the infection to grow. The nails become discoloured, turn yellow, brittle and rough due to the fungal infection. The skin around the nails gets red, swollen and itchy. The nail can come away from the nail bed in severe cases. The moist climate of monsoon accelerates the growth of the fungi and cause such fungal infections.

Prevention :

- Maintaining good hygiene.

- Keeping hands and feet dry, especially between toes.

- Keeping nails clean and cutting them short.

Taking good care of any nail injury.

- Using clean and dry socks, gloves and shoes.

- Avoiding contact with affected individuals.

- Avoid sharing nail trimmers, buffers.

Treatment : 

Along with following the above-mentioned preventative measures.

- Applying antifungal topical solutions like creams, gels.

- Applying antifungal nail lacquer. 

- Taking oral antifungal medication, such as terbinafine (Lamisil), itraconazole (Sporanox), fluconazole (Diflucan).

You can buy solutions for Fungal nail infection from :

———————————————————————

————————————————————————————

Please Note : This post contains product links from www.amazon.in————————————————————————————

#skininfections #skincare #children #kids #monsoon