The majority of children will experience a skin infection during some point of their childhood. In addition to the fact that they might have a lower level of immunity as compared to an adult, they are also always jumping in mud and puddles or digging their way through sand which is breeding grounds for bacteria and viruses. Here are some of the most common skin infections that can be observed in children and methods of remedying them.
Molluscum contagiosumMolluscum contagiosum is a very commonly seen, “self-limiting” and benign virus that affects the skin in children. The most common age group to be affected by this virus is between the ages of 2 and 5 years. The way of transmission is when one child will come into contact with another who has been infected. Symptoms may not show for up to six months after contraction because this is the incubation period. However, in some children the symptoms will be visible after just two weeks. If there are a group of children who play, swim or have showers together the condition can spread fast among them. If you have any children who are ailing from a known immunity compromising condition, they too are at high risk to contract the disease.
The most common symptoms are skin coloured or pearl coloured popular lesions with a hole-like depression in the centre. There is also an inflammatory reaction around the areas with the rash and it can last up to eight weeks or longer. The methods of water wart treatment (which is the layman’s terms for the infection) are many. Some prefer to remove the lesions manually and cryotherapy as well as curettage is also employed. However, the only downfall is that the remedies are painful and can sometimes cause scarring.
Viral lesions of the skinThese lesions are caused by viruses and come in several different varieties. Most of these are brought about by the human papillomavirus. Hands and feet are very common locations where symptoms will begin to show. Common, plantar, plane and mosaic are the different varieties of these virus lesions. Usually these infections clear up automatically in the span of two years but most parents will get their children medication to avoid painful and stubborn infections. The medication can even be obtained from a pharmacy Mount Eliza and is quite cheap. Salicylic acid is the best cure known for these kinds of infections in children. ImpetigoInfections that are caused by streptococcal and staphylococcal l infections need to be closely monitored in children because they consist of a wide range of conditions. The particular strain of virus, the immunity of the child and other unique conditions can make this different from one child to another. The usual medication methods consist of oral and topical antibiotics. Impetigo contagiosa presents with pustules while Bullus impetigo indicates liquid filled sac-like formations on skin or blisters. The conditions can be cured fairly easily unless the child is immune-compromised in which case they will be more stubborn.