Aa
Aa
A
A
A
Close
Avatar universal

My 4 year old daughter's reoccurring skin condition

Hi my 4yr-old daughter has a reoccurring, what seems to be, seasonal skin condition. She has been having flair ups of this skin disorder since she was less than a week old. At that time it actually covered her from head to toe and I was told by the pediatrician at the time it was because I was layering her in too many clothes and her body couldn't regulate it's temperature (sweat) causing the glands to swell. We live in NYC and whenever we change from the following 2 season (summer to fall or winter to spring) she has a flair up. The other thing that can trigger a flair up for her is if she catches a cold.

On small (normal) flair ups the large patch becomes itchy and she may have only a few of the small bumps. Occasionally she has a REALLY bad flair up, like the one she has now, Her entire upper back and shoulders become COVERED with tiny flesh colored bumps and at the base of her neck she gets a big leathery patch of dry itchy skin. There are other smaller patches but this is the main, and largest one at the base of her neck. She also gets a small patch on her forehead in the creases of her nose and under her mouth.

Currently she's having a really bad one. I feel the largest trigger for her is the weather and as mentioned she usually only gets the larger patch which I treat at home with a mixture of tea tree oil and coconut oil. It keeps it from itching and usually within a week or 2 it'll go away. But, if the tiny flesh colored bumps appear they stick around for weeks. Nothing seems to make them fade, they'll just eventually go on their own. She complains about itchiness but the oil mixture I described keeps it from itching her. So long as she isn't scratching it never appears to worsen. Never had and bleeding, oozing, or spreading. I have pictures if needed you'll see in the photo that the patches are now "scabby" and will soon fade but the fleshy bumps, they'll be here for much longer. Please could someone tell me what this condition is?
2 Responses
Sort by: Helpful Oldest Newest
Avatar universal
Thank you doctor, her skin is very sensitive so this seems like it may be the culprit.  We tried having it tested but her doctor said the only was was via a biopsy and advised against it.

We have been bathing her in dead sea salt and moisturizing her skin with a combo of castor oil and coconut oil.  Both are antimicrobial antifungal. The skin has improved about 80% since I first  wrote this.  We'll stick with this as we try not to use medications unless completely necessary. Thank you for the information we appreciate it.
Helpful - 0
563773 tn?1374246539
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
Hello,
Thanks for posting your query.

I can understand your concern for your child. Such an itchy skin rash which appears in response to change in weather is either due to atopic dermatitis or due to hives.

Atopic dermatitis is a type of eczema in which the skin may be "super sensitive" to many irritants. In this the skin becomes extremely itchy and inflamed, causing redness, swelling, vesicle formation (minute blisters), cracking, weeping, crusting, and scaling.

Diagnosis can be confirmed by examination and serum IgE levels. If atopic dermatitis is confirmed then treatment consists of topical steroid creams. Other than that, avoiding harsh soaps and cleansers, using only one brand of soap (Mild soaps like Dove or Aveeno are fine), preventing scratching or rubbing whenever possible, protecting skin from excessive moisture, irritants, and rough clothing, maintaining a cool, stable temperature and consistent humidity levels and limiting exposure to dust, cigarette smoke, pollens, and animal dander helps.

Moreover apply moisturizers like Sarna lotion after bathing just after patting with towel. In case of severe itching antihistaminic like Benadryl is helpful.

Hope that this information helps and hope that you will get better soon.

Wishing you good health.





Helpful - 0

You are reading content posted in the Dermatology Forum

Popular Resources
Learn to identify and prevent bites from summer’s most common pests.
Doctors argue for legislation to curb this dangerous teen trend in the latest Missouri Medicine report.
10 ways to keep your skin healthy all winter long
How to get rid of lumpy fat on your arms, hips, thighs and bottom
Diet “do’s” and “don’ts” for healthy, radiant skin.
Images of rashes caused by common skin conditions