<%@ Language=JavaScript %> Pediatric Dermatology3
 

  

           A Professional Association

             185 Page Rd. -  Suite A  -  Pinehurst, NC  28374

             Phone:  (910) 295-5567           Fax:  (910) 295-3315
 
   

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Stephen E. Rostan, MD

R. Carter Grine, MD

Board Certified By the American Board of Dermatology and Dermatopathology

Board Certified By the American Board of Dermatology

Pamela Guest, MD

  

Board Certified By the American Board of Dermatology

 Elena M. Avila, PA-C

 


Pediatric Dermatology

Head Lice

**Do any of these symptoms sound familiar...

** An itchy head or neck or a rash, that may be worse behind the ears or on the back of the neck?

**Insects or "nits" that are stuck to your hair?

** Insect "droppings" that look like a fine black powder, but is actually digestive waste that shows up on your collar, pillows, and sheets?

**Crusty sores on your scalp that may ooze liquid or drip blood?

If you answered yes to any of these questions, we want to help you...

First, rest assured that your head lice are not a result of you or your home being "dirty".

That's an old wives' tale. Unfortunately, many wives and mothers still believe that, and they think bad things about you and your family.

If you or a family member has head lice, it's not your fault. The insect infestation is simply passed from person to person by contact.

Sharing a comb or brush with an infected person is enough to give you head lice.
 
Hives

Hives, also known as Urticaria, nettle-rash or welts, are red skin welts with whitish centers. Hives are basically a reaction to histamine, a substance secreted by mast cells that are distributed throughout the body when you come in contact with a foreign material.

When histamines are released, they will dilate the blood capillaries, which cause the skin to become red and warm. This is why you form red, itchy bumps as a reaction to something your body is not familiar with or does not like. These skin outbreaks can remain for different amounts of time, anywhere between just a few seconds to several days. They can vanish and come back without any warning.

Symptoms of hives include:

**Circular, raised welts that look similar to mosquito bites

**The welts are red on the outside of the circle and white in the center

**Itching

**Each welt only lasts around 24 hours

**Welts appear in clusters or patches

** One patch of welts will fade as a new one appears

** The rash may last for days or weeks

When your body comes in contact with something it does not like, your skin erupts into hives that are raised above the skin level with intense itching.

These welts usually worsen when you scratch them or expose them to heat. Hives can appear on any part of the skin and can be localized to one spot, or they can spread over your entire body.

 

Impetigo

Impetigo, a contagious skin infection that usually produces blisters or sores on the face and hands, is one of the most common skin infections among kids.

It is generally caused by one of two bacteria: group A streptococcus or staphylococcus aureus. Impetigo usually affects preschool and school-age children, especially in the summer months. A child may be more likely to develop impetigo if the skin has already been irritated or injured by other skin problems, such as eczema, poison ivy, insect bites, or a skin allergy to soap or makeup.

Good hygiene can help prevent impetigo, which often develops when there is a sore or a rash that has been scratched repetitively (for example, poison ivy can get infected and turn into impetigo). Impetigo is typically treated with antibiotics.

Signs and Symptoms
Impetigo may affect skin anywhere on the body but commonly occurs around the nose and mouth, hands, and forearms.

When impetigo is caused by group A streptococcus, it begins as tiny blisters. These blisters eventually burst and leave small wet patches of red skin that may weep fluid. Gradually, a tan or yellowish-brown crust covers the affected area, making it look like it has been coated with honey or brown sugar.

Impetigo that is caused by staphylococcus aureus triggers larger fluid-containing blisters that appear clear, then cloudy. These blisters are more likely to stay intact longer on the skin without bursting.

Contagiousness
 Impetigo may itch and can be spread by scratching. Kids can spread the infection by scratching it and then touching other parts of the body.

Impetigo is contagious and can spread to anyone who comes into contact with infected skin or other items, such as clothing, towels, and bed linens, that have been touched by infected skin.

Treatment
 When it just affects small areas of the skin, impetigo can usually be treated with antibiotic ointment. But if the infection has spread to many areas of the body, or the ointment isn't working, your child's doctor may prescribe an antibiotic pill or liquid.

Once antibiotic treatment begins, healing should start within a few days. It's important to make sure that your child takes the medication as the doctor has prescribed it. If that doesn't happen, a deeper skin infection or a blood infection could develop.

While the infection is healing, gently wash the areas of infected skin with clean gauze and antiseptic soap every day. Soak any areas of crusted skin in warm soapy water to help remove the layers of crust (it is not necessary to completely remove all of it).

To keep your child from spreading impetigo to other parts of the body, your child's doctor or nurse will probably recommend covering infected areas of skin with gauze and tape or a loose plastic bandage. Keep your child's fingernails short and clean.