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Suggest Treatment For Rash On A 4 Yr Old
Question: My 4 yr old daughter has a rash. See attached. Please help
Brief Answer:
Additional details required
Detailed Answer:
Thanks for posting your query at HealthCareMagic. I went through the image sent by you. It looks like a tick bite. However, I would need a few more details to be able to answer your query:
1. Firstly, I would like to know where do you and your daughter live and whether your have any recent history of travel.
2. I would also like to know about the possibility of a tick bite or an insect bite.
3. Please mention if the child has a fever and any other associated symptoms.
4. Any possible history of injury.
5. How it originated. Was it of same nature or size when you first observed it and whether it has been extending in size
6. Itchiness or burning sensation over the rash.
Please revert back with the above details and I would be happy to help you further. Any other information that you might like to add is also welcome.
Additional details required
Detailed Answer:
Thanks for posting your query at HealthCareMagic. I went through the image sent by you. It looks like a tick bite. However, I would need a few more details to be able to answer your query:
1. Firstly, I would like to know where do you and your daughter live and whether your have any recent history of travel.
2. I would also like to know about the possibility of a tick bite or an insect bite.
3. Please mention if the child has a fever and any other associated symptoms.
4. Any possible history of injury.
5. How it originated. Was it of same nature or size when you first observed it and whether it has been extending in size
6. Itchiness or burning sensation over the rash.
Please revert back with the above details and I would be happy to help you further. Any other information that you might like to add is also welcome.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Ashwin Bhandari
No itching but when sun XXXXXXX lotion is applied it stings. No feaver it did get bigger on elbow and more red. I do have a question could it be ringworm? Is it contagis ? I have 3 other kids
Brief Answer:
Less likely to be ringworm or contagious
Detailed Answer:
Thanks for writing back although you have not mentioned all the details I asked for. Based on the little details that I have and looking at the picture, it is unlikely to be a ringworm which is basically a fungal infection. To me it looks more like 'Erythema chronicum migrans' which is seen in the early stage of Lyme disease caused due to a tick bite. It is an infectious disease and needs to be treated. Please consult your doctor who would be able to treat it.
It could also be 'Erythema anulare centrifugum' or 'palpable migrating erythema' (less likely due to its rarity). These sometimes increase size and spread over time and may not be complete rings but irregular shapes. No treatment is usually needed as they usually go away anywhere from months to years. The lesions may last from anywhere between 4 weeks to 34 years with an average duration of 11 months.
The third possibility is 'Erythema marginatum'. The rings are barely raised and are not itchy. It is sometimes associated with rheumatic fever. It is also seen in conditions like allergic drug reactions, sepsis and a kidney condition called glomerulonephritis.
The condition is not likely to be contagious directly although the possibility of infection needs to be I would strongly insist that you visit a dermatologist who would be able to analyse better and treat it. I would hope that your daughter gets well soon. Feel free to contact back in case of further queries.
Less likely to be ringworm or contagious
Detailed Answer:
Thanks for writing back although you have not mentioned all the details I asked for. Based on the little details that I have and looking at the picture, it is unlikely to be a ringworm which is basically a fungal infection. To me it looks more like 'Erythema chronicum migrans' which is seen in the early stage of Lyme disease caused due to a tick bite. It is an infectious disease and needs to be treated. Please consult your doctor who would be able to treat it.
It could also be 'Erythema anulare centrifugum' or 'palpable migrating erythema' (less likely due to its rarity). These sometimes increase size and spread over time and may not be complete rings but irregular shapes. No treatment is usually needed as they usually go away anywhere from months to years. The lesions may last from anywhere between 4 weeks to 34 years with an average duration of 11 months.
The third possibility is 'Erythema marginatum'. The rings are barely raised and are not itchy. It is sometimes associated with rheumatic fever. It is also seen in conditions like allergic drug reactions, sepsis and a kidney condition called glomerulonephritis.
The condition is not likely to be contagious directly although the possibility of infection needs to be I would strongly insist that you visit a dermatologist who would be able to analyse better and treat it. I would hope that your daughter gets well soon. Feel free to contact back in case of further queries.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Ashwin Bhandari
Sorry for not giving you enough info. I hope this helps. My wife took her to a doctor before we left on vacation and they gave her hydrocortizone 2.5 and clotrimazole 1% cream. It seems XXXXXXX neither cream is working. It gets better when i put nothing on it. Also is it contagious. She also fell in the playground that had red ants in XXXXXXX Could this cause this as well Our biggest convern is that she starts school later this week.
Brief Answer:
Ant bites could be responsible
Detailed Answer:
Thanks for sharing the details which have really been helpful. It is unlikely to be contagious, so stop worrying. The red ants in XXXXXXX could indeed be responsible. The hydrocortisone cream is intended to reduce the inflammation. I would insist you to continue applying it only if it helps in reducing it. However, if you feel that it is ok or better even without it, you may skip using it. Clotrimazole is an antifungal and since this is unlikely to be ringworm, the cream is unlikely to be effective and you may stop using it.
If the ant bite is responsible some anti allergics like levocetirizine is likely to be helpful. One thing that needs to be confirmed from your doctor is that whether he thinks of the possibility of erythema migrans which occurs in Lyme's disease and is caused by a tick bite. If he rules that out, you can relax and the rashes will heal soon on their own.
I hope I have been able to help you. Wish your daughter to get well soon.
Ant bites could be responsible
Detailed Answer:
Thanks for sharing the details which have really been helpful. It is unlikely to be contagious, so stop worrying. The red ants in XXXXXXX could indeed be responsible. The hydrocortisone cream is intended to reduce the inflammation. I would insist you to continue applying it only if it helps in reducing it. However, if you feel that it is ok or better even without it, you may skip using it. Clotrimazole is an antifungal and since this is unlikely to be ringworm, the cream is unlikely to be effective and you may stop using it.
If the ant bite is responsible some anti allergics like levocetirizine is likely to be helpful. One thing that needs to be confirmed from your doctor is that whether he thinks of the possibility of erythema migrans which occurs in Lyme's disease and is caused by a tick bite. If he rules that out, you can relax and the rashes will heal soon on their own.
I hope I have been able to help you. Wish your daughter to get well soon.
Note: For further queries related to your child health, Talk to a Pediatrician. Click here to Book a Consultation.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Ashwin Bhandari
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