What Causes Red Blotchy Skin On Face In Children?

Posted on Thu, 30 Apr 2015

Question: Hi my 4 year old daughter has red blotchy skin on her face for last couple if weeks. It can get red as day goes on and can be a little swollen looking under her eyes. She does not complain and have shown doctor and thought maybe an allergy. It doesn't seem to be getting better or any worse. Hope you can help?

Answered by Dr. Shoaib Khan (14 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Could you upload clear pictures of her face if you don't mind?

Detailed Answer:
Hello and welcome.

Thank you for writing to us.

I have gone through your query with diligence and would like you to know that I am here to help. It would really help if you could upload clear images of her face from different angles for my visual examination.

If you do not mind, please also provide your kind response for the following questions:

+Is it cold there? Or hot? Winter or Summer? Autumn with lots of pollen? How is the weather now (temperature)?
+Have you noticed her to find the affected region itchy?
+Does her diet include hot drinks, caffeine, spices, etc? Which are used during winter to keep a person warm?
+What does she use to wash her face?
+Have you noticed any acne?
+Have you noticed any visible veins?
+Does her diet include a lot of fats and/or oils?
+Any new items in her diet (e.g. egg, fish, etc.), any new cosmetics, new detergents, new soaps, pollen in the air, etc?

I look forward to hearing from you in order to help you and your daughter further. Please do not hesitate to write to me about anything, and if you have any other relevant information that could help.

Best wishes.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Shoaib Khan (32 minutes later)

Thanks for your reply. She is asleep at present so i. Ant sho you a picture. Its reasonably nice weather at present but it was quite cold at time it started. Its spring time and maybe pollen related. Have trued her afew days on an antihistimine but nit much change. She diesnt get many fizzy drinks just odd dilluted orange and milk. She has reasonably good diet and is fond of sweet things. We are just over easter and alot of chocolate around but try to keep it minimal. I use elave sensitive bath wash and silcocks base or aqueous cream. This eve after her wash i moisturised her skin eith aqueous cream and she cried saying it was stingy for a minute. No acne or visible veins. No new washing detergents and polle not high as yet.n

Answered by Dr. Shoaib Khan (23 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Thank you so much for that information

Detailed Answer:
Hello once again.

Thank you so much for that information.

My observations:

+If it started during winter, then it could be related to the cold weather and should slowly subside as the weather changes

+If it is pollen related, and an anti-histamine was used without effect. It is also important to note that as long as the individual is exposed to the allergen, the anti-histamine will not really help, don't you think?

+If you used a moisturiser on her skin and she cried complaining about it stinging, there could be an issue with dry skin here, which is also aggravated during winter. I would recommend continuation of the moisturising cream and increasing her hydration level

I understand you must be worried, but do post that picture once your daughter wakes up. For now stop worrying ma'am, kids are very sensitive to the smallest of things and I am positive about her making a complete recovery soon. Keep in touch and keep me updated.

Best wishes.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Shoaib Khan (4 minutes later)

Thank you for your reply i will post you a picture in morning and see what you think.

Answered by Dr. Shoaib Khan (5 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
I look forward to it

Detailed Answer:
Hello once again ma'am.

Thank you so much XXXXXXX

I look forward to it. Rest well, speak with you tomorrow.

Best wishes.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Shoaib Khan (11 hours later)

Answered by Dr. Shoaib Khan (4 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Greetings :)

Detailed Answer:
Hello XXXXXXX

How are you today? :)

First of all, you have a very cute daughter.

Second, the rash does not resemble anything systemic and could match our suspicion of it being climate or diet related. But with such a presentation, I feel an allergic reaction is unlikely.

Would you mind getting a few blood investigations done (RA factor, ANA, CRP, ESR, Hb, blood coagulation profile, eosinophil count)? And if you have conducted anything recently, then please do share them with me.

Thank you.

Note: For further follow up on related General & Family Physician Click here.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar