What does a child's skin allergy look like?

Allergic reactions on the skin can occur in every child. Distinguishing such a rash from the symptoms of other skin diseases is a very difficult task. It is worth understanding what a child's skin allergy looks like.

How does it arise?

Allergy development is promoted by foreign substances - allergens. Penetrating into the child's body, they are capable of triggering many inflammatory reactions. This process is developing rapidly. Within a few hours from the moment the allergen enters the body, various symptoms begin to appear.

The most dangerous manifestations of allergic reactions in infants. The skin of babies at this age is very delicate and sensitive.

Even a small amount of an allergen is enough to cause allergic rashes.

Kinds

Allergic skin rashes look different. The severity of manifestations largely depends on the age of the baby and the initial level of immunity. An infant may have more extensive skin lesions and multiple rashes.

The most common allergic manifestations can look like this:

Pustules. These are small cavities that are filled with various contents. In most cases, it is clear or slightly bloody. When a secondary infection is attached, the fluid filling the vesicles becomes cloudy or has a yellow tint.
Papules. They look like small bumps that rise several millimeters above the surface of the skin. These formations do not have a cavity inside. When you touch it with your finger, you can feel a slightly uneven surface. The width of the papules may vary, but usually it does not exceed 3-4 mm.
Plaques. They rise above the skin only a couple of millimeters. They can be of various sizes, reaching even a centimeter in length. They differ in shape and have a fairly clear outline.

Spots. They differ from healthy skin only in color. They look like bright red elements. Do not rise above the skin surface. When trying to touch, they practically do not differ in texture from the skin.
Vesicles. They resemble in appearance small bubbles filled with a clear or reddish liquid. Reach in sizes of several millimeters. If touched, they can easily be injured, after which the liquid flows out.
Bubbles. They look like large vesicles. Usually they reach 8-9 mm, and in some cases even more than a centimeter. There is liquid inside the bubble. The epithelial layer that covers the outside of the element is rather thin. The blisters are often traumatized and re-infected with bacterial flora.

Symptoms

With the development of skin allergies, numerous skin rashes appear, which can be represented by different types. Allergic urticaria is characterized by the appearance of a rash, which consists of a large number of individual vesicles. With atopic dermatitis, allergic spots appear, and in some cases, papules.

The development of contact dermatitis is also characterized by the formation of large red spots, which are localized mainly in the areas of contact with the allergen. Allergic eczema is accompanied by the appearance of pustules, and in some cases, even blisters filled with bloody fluid. For different forms of allergic pathologies, the development of different types of rashes is characteristic.

How to distinguish allergies?

Often the occurrence of skin manifestations with allergies is not a specific symptom of the disease. Differential diagnosis is extremely difficult in many cases. Most often, allergies can be confused with the following diseases:

Chickenpox. The appearance of a profuse rash on almost the entire body is characteristic. The difference is in the previous history. All babies who got chickenpox had contact with a sick child. Allergies cannot be contracted (unlike infections). Chickenpox is also accompanied by a strong increase in temperature and an increase in peripheral lymph nodes, which is not the case with allergic pathology.
Measles. It is found mainly in toddlers in preschool age. Seasonal outbreaks of the disease are characteristic - mainly in the cold season. It is accompanied by a strong increase in body temperature, in some cases - up to 39 degrees. Measles also enlarges the lymph nodes. Contact with a sick child or a visit to a children's educational institution the day before indicates a possible infection with a measles infection.
Teenage acne. Such skin elements appear mainly on the forehead, as well as on the upper half of the back. They occur during adolescence - without prior exposure to any chemicals. For the exact exclusion of allergic pathology, additional analyzes and allergenic tests are required.
Sweating. It is characterized by the appearance of pink and reddish spots on the body. It is localized mainly on the neck and in the folds of the skin. Quite often prickly heat is confused with allergies. Prescribing antihistamines removes doubts. With prickly heat, these drugs do not work.

Scabies. It is characterized by the appearance of red spots on the skin that itch. They are localized mainly in the interdigital spaces. Itching with scabies usually bothers at night, and with allergies - during the day. A close examination of the affected areas helps to establish a diagnosis. With scabies, a strong striation of the skin pattern is visible, which indicates the presence and active vital activity of subcutaneous mites.
We deprive. With this disease, areas of redness and excessive flaking are formed. The diagnosis helps to establish a special analysis. To do this, using a scraping, the doctor takes a small amount of skin for microscopic examination. Such an analysis helps to detect pathogens.
Herpes infection. Herpes is characterized by the appearance on the skin of numerous bubbles filled with a clear liquid. They are very similar in appearance to allergic vesicles. The most common herpes sores occur on the mucous membranes of the mouth or genitals. Allergic vesicles can occur on all areas of the skin.
Fungal infection. Mostly the fungus affects the scalp, nails, and can also occur on the fingers. Upon closer examination, one can notice a certain feature: peeling is noticeably pronounced at the periphery of such spots. Skin cleansing is gradual. Only the use of antifungal drugs brings a positive effect.
Insect bites. Often, with such influences, numerous papules are formed, which, with a large number of rashes, can be mistaken for allergic manifestations. If a few days ago the child was in a forest zone or was resting in a camp, then you should ask the child in more detail about possible insect bites.

To establish allergies and exclude all possible diseases that occur with similar symptoms, if skin manifestations occur, it is imperative to show the baby to the doctor. In some cases, only additional tests for allergens help to clarify the diagnosis.