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" Eczema  Eczema is a chronic skin problem marked by redness, flakiness, and itchiness. Though no one&amp;#039;s sure of its cause, it may be genetic. We do know, however, that heat and sweat often aggravate the condition, which affects 15 percent of all kids, usually before age 5. (About half will outgrow it.) The rash normally appears in skin folds (think elbow and knee creases). It can also show up on the hands, face, and neck.  Prevent it: You can&amp;#039;t prevent eczema, but you can minimize flare-ups. Avoid fragrances and additives in soaps, lotions, detergents, and dryer sheets (these can irritate skin). Dress your child in cotton clothes to keep him cool, and use an unscented lotion or ointment to keep skin moist.  Treat it: Apply a 1 percent hydrocortisone cream for the inflammation. To relieve the itch, try an oral antihistamine such as Benadryl. If the rash recurs or gets worse, call your pediatrician. Ringworm  Ringworm isn&amp;#039;t really a worm \u2014 it&amp;#039;s an infection caused by a fungus, leading to one or more red, flaky, round or oval-shaped lesions with a raised border. Ringworm is more common in the summer, when fungi grow more rapidly and possibly because children have more skin-to-skin contact with each other then (such as at camp or on the playground). You can also get ringworm from touching infected animals, or objects or surfaces that an infected person or animal has touched.   Prevent it: Tell your kid to wash her hands after touching animals and playing sports, and not to share personal items like hairbrushes or clothes.  Treat it: Use an over-the-counter (OTC) antifungal cream (like miconazole or clotrimazole). If the lesions persist, see your doctor. Diaper rash  Infants are slightly more vulnerable to this problem in the summer, when excess perspiration makes an already-wet diaper even more aggravating to their sensitive skin (poor babies!). The result: a red, spotty, inflamed rash.   Prevent it: Change diapers frequently \u2014 and let your baby go diaper-free for 15 to 20 minutes between changes so his skin can air-dry. Treat it: Avoid using scented baby wipes that contain alcohol, which can worsen the rash. Instead, use a squirt bottle with water to cleanse the area, then pat it dry with a towel. Apply a diaper ointment that contains zinc oxide (such as Triple Paste or Balmex) to soothe the skin and protect it from getting too moist. If the rash doesn&amp;#039;t go away within three to four days, talk to your doctor: Your child might have a yeast infection or a staph infection. Symptoms include blisters or pus-filled bumps.  Yeast infection  Candida, the culprit behind most yeast infections, normally lives on our skin and is usually not a problem. But it thrives in warm, humid summer months, upping the chance that it&amp;#039;ll trigger an infection in your baby. Children in diapers and those on antibiotics (these medications kill the good bacteria that keep yeast in check) are especially prone to yeast infections, which cause a red rash \u2014 possibly surrounded by bumps \u2014 that itches, burns, or oozes a clear fluid. It usually appears in the skin folds in the diaper area.   Prevent it: Change your baby&amp;#039;s diapers frequently to reduce diaper rash, which can predispose her to yeast infections.  Treat it: Use an OTC antifungal treatment such as miconazole (Fungoid Tincture), clotrimazole (Lotrimin AF), or terbinafine (Lamisil). See a pediatrician if the infection lasts longer than three to five days.  Poisonous plants  Poison ivy, poison oak, and sumac contain urushiol, a resin that can cause a bumpy, blistery, and very itchy rash if you brush up against the leaves of any of these plants.   Prevent it: Learn to recognize these pesky plants. Poison ivy is a vine on the East Coast, in the Midwest, and in the South, but it&amp;#039;s a shrub-like plant in the North and West. It&amp;#039;s most often found near lakes, streams, and trails, but can also grow in your backyard. Poison oak is generally found in the Southeast and on the West Coast. And sumac is a large shrub or small tree that tends to grow in moist areas like marshes and swamps. Best bet: Visit keepkidshealthy.com and do a search for each plant \u2014 you&amp;#039;ll find photos to help you steer clear. In woods and marshy areas, try to dress your kids in long pants, long sleeves, and shoes that totally cover the feet. Treat it: &amp;quot;Poison ivy often goes away on its own in two weeks,&amp;quot; says Daniel Krowchuk, M.D., a professor of pediatrics and dermatology at Wake Forest University in North Carolina. But you can relieve symptoms: Give your child a cool-water oatmeal bath and/or apply calamine lotion or a topical ointment such as Caladryl Clear to soothe skin and dry up blisters. If his itching is severe, give him an oral antihistamine. And if it&amp;#039;s widespread or severe on his face, head to your pediatrician \u2014 your child may need a steroid to control the inflammation.  Insect bites  Most bug bites are red bumps with a little hole in the center; itchy welts tend to emerge within a day or two of the bite. Mosquitoes bite anywhere that skin&amp;#039;s exposed, while fleas usually stick to ankles since they tend to live in rugs or grass. Spider bites are generally larger, blistered, and more serious.  Prevent it: Call kids indoors after dusk, when bugs \u2014 especially mosquitoes \u2014 are most active. Use a bug spray containing 10 percent DEET, such as OFF! Active, or picaridin (unless your child is under 2 months old). If you use one of the growing number of sprays on the market containing oil of lemon eucalyptus, know that the American Academy of Pediatrics does not recommend them for children under age 3. Treat it: Luckily, most bites are harmless \u2014 unless they become infected with bacteria or a fungus, which can enter skin that&amp;#039;s been broken from too much scratching. Head off infection by cleaning a bite with soap and water, applying an antibiotic cream, and covering it with a bandage. A hydrocortisone cream, such as Cortaid, will help with the itch. If you suspect a spider bite, call the doctor: Some spiders, such as the brown recluse spider and the black widow, are poisonous and may require a prescription remedy. Heat rash  If your child&amp;#039;s arms or torso have suddenly sprouted lots of little red bumps, heat rash \u2014 also known as prickly heat \u2014 is probably to blame. This rash occurs when skin overheats and sweat gets clogged in pores on the parts of the body where kids (and adults) sweat most.   Prevent it: Dress your child in lightweight, breathable fabrics (you can&amp;#039;t go wrong with 100 percent cotton) and don&amp;#039;t use heavy moisturizers, which can clog sweat glands and trigger a rash.  Treat it: Have your child hang out in a cooler, less humid environment when possible, and give her a cool compress or bath if her skin feels warm to the touch. If the redness remains, the rash becomes painful, or the condition doesn&amp;#039;t go away in three or four days, call your doctor: These symptoms sometimes signal folliculitis, a bacterial infection of the hair follicles that may require antibiotics. "^^<http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema#string>
<http://www.redbookmag.com/body/health-fitness/advice/a3630/whats-up-rash/>