Dermatology

Whether the bite is from a family pet or an animal in the wild, scratches and bites can become infected and cause scarring. Animals can also carry diseases that can be transmitted through a bite.

Detailed information on benign skin growths and pigmentation disorders in children

Detailed information on birthmarks and the different types, including vascular birthmarks, hemangiomas, and port-wine stains.

Detailed information on bites, including human bites, animal bites, and insect bites

Detailed information on blisters, including cause, first aid, and treatment.

Detailed information on bacterial skin infections, including impetigo, cellulitis, scarlet fever, folliculitis, boils, carbuncles, and staphylococcal scalded skin syndrome

Know the types of burns you can get and how to keep you and your family safe.

Cellulitis is a spreading skin infection. It may affect the upper skin layer. Or it may affect the deeper skin and layer of fat under the skin. When cellulitis affects the upper skin layer, it may be called erysipelas. This type of infection is more common in children.

Chickenpox is a common childhood disease that causes an itchy, blistering rash and is easily spread to others.

Detailed information on common skin disorders, including Bacterial Skin Infections, Fungal Skin Infections, Viral Skin Infections, Viral Exanthems (Rashes), and Parasitic Skin Infections

Cradle cap (infant seborrheic dermatitis) is scaly patches on a baby's scalp. Cradle cap isn’t serious, but it can cause thick crusting and white or yellow scales. Some babies can also have seborrheic dermatitis in the diaper area, and on the face, neck, and trunk. Cradle cap usually clears up within the first year.

Detailed information on dermatitis, including the different types of dermatitis such as atopic dermatitis (eczema), contact dermatitis, dermatitis herpetiformis, generalized exfoliative dermatitis, seborrheic dermatitis, localized scratch dermatitis, nummular dermatitis, perioral dermatitis, and stasis dermatitis

A helpful look at some of the terms a healthcare provider may use to describe your child's skin condition.

Diaper dermatitis is inflammation of the skin in the diaper area. It’s a very common condition in babies and toddlers.

When your child is bitten or scratched by an animal, remain calm and reassure your child that you can help. Here's what you need to know.

Medicine rashes are the body’s reaction to a certain medicine. The type of rash that occurs depends on the type of medicine that is causing it. Rashes can range from mild to severe.

Bacteria on the skin can cause an infection of one or more hair follicles. A hair follicle is the base or root of a hair.

Fleas, mites, and chiggers are different kinds of small insects. They are also parasites. This means they feed off the blood, skin, or both of animals and humans. These insects are more common in the warm weather. They bite skin and cause symptoms such as bumps, redness, pain, or itching.

Detailed information on fungal skin infections, including Candidiasis, Tinea Infections, and Tinea Versicolor

Impetigo is a skin infection. When it affects just the surface, it’s called superficial impetigo. Impetigo can also affect deeper parts of the skin. This is called ecthyma. It may occur on healthy skin. Or it may occur where the skin was injured by a cut, scrape, or insect bite.

Detailed information on dermatology and children

Detailed information on insect bites, including fleas, mites, chiggers, and ticks

Head lice are tiny parasitic bugs that can infest the skin. They live on people’s heads and feed on their blood. Head lice can cause intense itching.

Molluscum contagiosum is a viral skin disease that causes small pink or skin-colored bumps on your child’s skin. It is not harmful and usually does not have any other symptoms. The virus is inside the bumps and is mildly contagious. These bumps usually clear over time.

Toxic epidermal necrolysis is a life-threatening skin disorder. It causes skin blistering and peeling. Read on to learn more about this condition.

Detailed information on non-infectious skin conditions, including dermatitis, acne, drug rashes, poison ivy/poison oak, and toxic epidermal necrolysis

Detailed information on benign skin growths, including dermatofibromas, dermoid cyst, freckles, keloids, lipomas, moles, atypical moles, pyogenic granulomas

Detailed information on parasitic skin infections, including scabies and lice

Pityriasis rosea is a mild, common rash. Read on to learn more about diagnosis, symptoms, and treatment.

Poison ivy rash is an allergic reaction to poison ivy. Poison ivy is very a common plant in the U.S. It is similar to two other plants called poison oak and poison sumac. The plants cause allergic dermatitis.

Roseola is a contagious viral illness. It causes a high fever and then a rash that develops as the fever goes away.

Rubella is a viral illness that causes a mild fever and a skin rash. It is also called German measles, but is not caused by the same virus that causes measles (rubeola).

Measles (rubeola) is a respiratory illness caused by a virus. It causes a red, blotchy rash. It’s a very contagious illness.

Scabies is an infestation of tiny bugs called mites on the skin. It causes a small red rash and intense itching. This infection is very contagious. It often spreads from child to child while children are sleeping together in the same bed or have close personal contact.

Skin cancer is a type of cancer that grows in the cells of the skin. It can spread to and damage nearby tissue and spread to other parts of the body. Skin cancer is rare in children.

Scarlet fever is an infectious disease that causes a rash. It is caused by the same kind of bacteria that cause strep throat.

Detailed information on dermatology and children

Detailed information on skin injuries, including blisters, burns, sunburn, and bites

Staphylococcal scalded skin syndrome (SSSS) is a serious skin infection. The infection causes peeling skin over large parts of the body. It looks like the skin has been scalded or burned by hot liquid. It’s more common in the summer and fall.

Protect your child from the sun. Up to 80% of total lifetime sun exposure occurs in the first 18 years of life.

Ticks attach themselves to the scalp, behind the ear, in the armpit and groin, and also between fingers and toes. Find out what to do if you find a tick on your child.

Ringworm is a type of skin infection cause by a fungus. Learn about details such as causes, symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment.

Tinea versicolor is a fungal skin infection. It’s caused by yeast on the skin. It occurs most often in teens and young adults. But it can happen at any time.

Skin cancer in children can be treated in several ways. The best choice for your child depends on the size, place, and stage of the cancer, along with other factors.

Detailed information on viral skin infections, including Herpes Zoster (Shingles), Pityriasis Rosea, Warts, and Molluscum Contagiosum

Detailed information on viral exanthems (rashes)

Warts on the skin are harmless growths. They are caused by a virus. Warts can spread to other parts of the body and to other people.

Shingles (herpes zoster) is a painful skin rash. It’s caused by the varicella-zoster virus (VZV). This is the same virus that causes chickenpox.

Fifth disease is a viral illness that causes a rash. It occurs most often in the winter and spring.

Human bite wounds are more likely to become infected than dog or cat bites. A healthcare provider should check any human bite that breaks the skin.

Detailed information on the most common types of skin pigment disorders, including albinism, melasma, vitiligo, and skin pigment loss following sun damage.

Detailed information on the most common types of skin tests, including patch testing, skin biopsy, and skin culture.

Lyme disease is an infection caused by bacteria called Borrelia burgdorferi. The bacteria are usually spread by tick bites. Lyme disease is a year-round problem, but it peaks during the spring and summer months.