Dermatology is not just for adults- children are prone to a multitude of skin conditions that benefit from expert treatment.
Pediatric Dermatology
What do dermatologists provide?
Dermatologists diagnose various skin conditions, prescribe treatments, and can even provide minor surgical procedures if necessary. Many skin conditions can be treated more quickly and with more skill by the expert in the field vs. a general practitioner.
Can a baby see a dermatologist?
Yes! We encourage a dermatologist visit if your baby has developed any skin conditions, rashes, or other skin concerns as they are more fragile and untreated conditions can worsen faster than those of an adult.
Common Skin Conditions in Children
While some of these may be present in adults, these are some of the most common skin conditions you might see in children:
- Eczema
- Chickenpox
- Diaper rash
- Warts
- Acne
- Hives
- Ringworm
- Bacterial or fungal rashes
- Rashes from allergic reaction
Common Infant Skin Conditions
Newborns are at a higher risk due to their new and developing immune system, which means they may develop certain skin conditions you don’t see too much in older children or adults.
Erythema Toxicum Neonatorum – In the first few days of life, your newborn may develop a rash that looks like little insect bites or red spots on the skin. These can sometimes have overlying white or yellow papules and pustules as well.
While the overall cause isn’t known, it’s believed to be an immune response to the new environment they’re sensitive to. This skin condition will often go away on its own in a few weeks and isn’t usually dangerous.
Keratosis Pilaris – While this can actually form at any age, you may see this in your infant on their upper outer arms, tops of their thighs, and even cheeks presented as small red or white bumps.
Keratosis pilaris tends to have a hormonal component as the cause, which is why we see this often in infants with hormones from the mothers. See a dermatologist for treatment options for this skin condition.
Eczema or atopic dermatitis – This is a chronic rash that can appear on the face, extensor surfaces of the arms and/or legs in infants. While often found in children with a family history of this, it can usually start at 3 months old and will flare up more during the colder, dryer months and appear as red, scaly patches.
Teen Acne
Acne amongst teenagers is super common, but can often be debilitating to self-esteem and can often be severe and cause acne-scarring.
Teenage acne is more unique because of its tie with fluctuating hormones during puberty. Therefore, talking with your dermatologist to understand your teen’s specific acne type and treatment options is important in order to avoid permanent damage and scarring.
Children and Skin Cancer
While skin cancer is rare to develop in children, prevention during childhood is crucial as severe skin burning as a kid can be a precursor for skin cancer later in life.
Sun damage prevention is the key with children, which means they should always have sunscreen on when they go outdoors, even in the winter for their faces!
We recommend always using a sunblock with SPF 30 or higher, remembering to reapply when necessary, and choosing ones containing zinc and/or titanium, as they’re natural mineral blockers that do a better job of blocking the sun’s rays—and are healthier for the skin.