Pediatric Skin Rash Treatment Specialist Q&A

Skin rashes are a common occurrence in children, and one of the most frequent reasons for a visit to their pediatrician or family doctor. While some of the rashes can be easily diagnosed and treated with over-the-counter creams and ointments, other rashes require a visit to the doctor for evaluation and treatment. Depending on the age of your child, some of the common causes of skin rashes can be diaper rash, insect bites, eczema, and hand, foot, and mouth disease.

If the rash is new for your child and hasn’t been previously diagnosed by their doctor, it is a good idea to get it looked at before starting an at-home treatment. The cause of the rash will vary based on what type of skin rash the child has. In some cases, such as hand, foot, and mouth disease, the rash is passed on from an infected person, usually through physical contact. In other cases, the rash can be the result of a foreign substance coming into contact with the skin or something touching the skin causing inflammation.

Just as skin rashes can be caused by a variety of factors, they can also be treated through a wide range of treatment options. The first step in treating a rash on the skin is to determine what caused its appearance. Determining the cause can be done at home, if the rash is something that has occurred before. However, it may require a trip to the doctor if it is a new rash that doesn’t look like any previous rashes, or if it isn’t responding to typical treatments that have worked in the past.

Once the rash has been properly diagnosed, your doctor can let you know the appropriate treatment options available, as well as any necessary follow-up. Treatment options can include simply letting the rash run its course and clearing up on its own over a period of time, medicated creams or ointments that are available either over-the-counter or as prescribed by a doctor, and antibiotics in the case of a skin rash that is caused by a bacteria or viral infection.

At one point or another throughout their life, most people will develop a rash on some part of their body. While many rashes are harmless and can go away either on their own or with the use of a medicated cream or ointment, other rashes do require a trip to the doctor for a proper diagnosis and treatment plan. Seeking medical attention is a good idea in the case of a rash that comes on suddenly without any known exposure or cause, if it is getting worse and if it isn’t responding to any over-the-count treatments.

If the rash is accompanied by additional symptoms such as trouble breathing, fever, painful urination, bleeding, large blisters, or peeling off, it should be looked at by a doctor. For children, it is best to contact their pediatrician or family doctor, however, they can also be brought to Columbia Clinic Urgent Care to be seen on a walk-in basis by a member of our highly-trained medical staff.

In most cases, skin rashes are mild to moderate skin irritations that can cause itchiness, discomfort and make people self-conscious about the appearance of their skin. In other cases, a rash on the skin can be a sign of a more serious issue that requires immediate medical attention and treatment.

Signs that a rash could be a serious medical issue can include being accompanied by a fever, having difficulty breathing, experiencing continuous itching, and a rash that covers all or most of the body. Rashes that also affect the mucous membrane, such as in the nose or mouth, should also be checked by a doctor. For treatment of skin rashes in Portland OR and the surrounding area, Columbia Clinic Urgent Care has convenient locations to treat patients on a walk-in basis. We serve patients from Portland OR, PDX, Tigard OR, Milwaukie OR, Cedar Hills OR, Cedar Mill OR, Lake Oswego OR, Oak Grove OR, Vancouver WA, Aloha OR, Minnehaha WA, Gladstone OR, Tualatin OR, West Linn OR, Fairview OR, Oregon City OR.