Common skin problems in children

Gomathy Sethuraman1, Neetu Bhari

  • 1Department of Dermatology, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Ansari Nagar, New Delhi, 110029, India, kgsethu@yahoo.com.

Insights

Childhood skin conditions are common, accounting for a third of pediatric and dermatology visits. This review highlights prevalent pediatric skin issues like infections, infestations, and dermatitis, crucial for general practitioners to manage.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Dermatology
  • General Pediatrics
  • Dermatological Disorders in Children

Background:

  • Childhood dermatological problems represent a significant portion of outpatient consultations in pediatric and dermatology services.
  • Parental anxiety is often associated with diagnosing and managing skin disorders in children.
  • Timely access to pediatric dermatology specialists can be limited, necessitating primary care provider familiarity with common conditions.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To provide a concise overview of common and significant dermatological problems encountered in Indian children.
  • To equip General Practitioners with essential knowledge for managing prevalent pediatric skin conditions.
  • To address the diagnostic and management challenges faced by primary care physicians in pediatric dermatology.

Main Methods:

  • Review of literature focusing on prevalent dermatological conditions in pediatric populations.
  • Identification of common infections, infestations, and dermatitis in Indian children.
  • Synthesis of information relevant to primary care management of childhood skin disorders.

Main Results:

  • Infections, infestations, and dermatitis are identified as the most prevalent dermatological diseases among Indian children.
  • These conditions frequently require consultation in pediatric and dermatology outpatient settings.
  • A significant proportion of childhood health issues stem from dermatological problems.

Conclusions:

  • General Practitioners play a vital role in the initial assessment and management of common childhood skin diseases.
  • Familiarity with prevalent pediatric dermatological conditions is essential for effective primary care.
  • This review serves as a guide to important pediatric dermatological issues, aiding in timely intervention and parental reassurance.

Related Concept Videos

Skin Diseases and Disorders01:23

Skin Diseases and Disorders

Skin is the first line of defense and encounters a variety of microbes. Some pathogenic strains are often the cause of a broad range of infections of the skin and other body systems. These conditions can affect people of all ages and may have different causes, including genetic factors, infections, autoimmune reactions, environmental factors, and lifestyle choices.
Gram-positive Staphylococcus spp. and Streptococcus spp. are responsible for many of the most common skin infections. However, many...
5.4K
Acne Infection01:27

Acne Infection

Acne is a multifactorial skin condition primarily affecting adolescents and young adults, with a global prevalence estimated to exceed 75% in this demographic. The condition is characterized by the formation of comedones (blackheads and whiteheads), papules, pustules, nodules, and, in severe cases, cysts, particularly in areas rich in sebaceous glands such as the face, neck, chest, and back. The pathogenesis involves increased sebum production, follicular hyperkeratinization, colonization by...
94
Staphylococcal Skin Infections01:29

Staphylococcal Skin Infections

Staphylococcus aureus is a Gram-positive coccus that resides harmlessly on the skin and mucous membranes of healthy individuals. When the skin barrier is breached, it can shift from a commensal to an opportunistic pathogen. This transition is facilitated by surface adhesins, such as clumping factor B and S. aureus surface protein G (SasG), which bind to structural proteins, including loricrin and cytokeratin, in the damaged epidermis. Protein A, another key factor, binds the Fc region of...
143
Changes in Skin Color: Clinical Perspectives01:14

Changes in Skin Color: Clinical Perspectives

The first thing a clinician sees is the skin, so the examination of the skin should be part of any thorough physical examination. Most skin disorders are relatively benign, but a few, including melanomas, can be fatal if untreated. A couple of the more noticeable disorders, albinism and vitiligo, affect the appearance of the skin and its accessory organs.
Albinism
Albinism is a genetic disorder that affects (completely or partially) the coloring of skin, hair, and eyes. The defect is primarily...
3.6K
Skin Cancer01:30

Skin Cancer

Skin cancer is a type of cancer that occurs when there is an abnormal growth of skin cells, usually triggered by damage to the DNA within the skin cells. It is primarily caused by exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation from the sun or artificial sources like tanning beds. Skin cancer is the most common type of cancer worldwide, and its incidence continues to rise.
Basal Cell Carcinoma (BCC): BCC is the most common type of skin cancer, accounting for about 80% of cases. It typically develops in...
5.2K
Accessory Structures of the Skin: Sebaceous Glands01:21

Accessory Structures of the Skin: Sebaceous Glands

A sebaceous gland is a type of oil gland found almost all over the skin ( except palms and soles) and helps lubricate and waterproof the skin and hair. Most sebaceous glands are associated with hair follicles. They generate and excrete sebum, a mixture of lipids, onto the skin surface, thereby naturally lubricating the dry and dead layer of keratinized cells of the stratum corneum, keeping it pliable.
These glands that produce the oils on the skin and hair are holocrine glands. The mature...
5.5K