My son has a rash?

Question

My son who is 11 has some kind of rash or something. Its the same colour as his skin and its on her arms, legs, chest, just about everywhere besides his face. His skin feels very rough, everyhwere his skin for some reason does not have any moisture.

I have made him take hot long baths every night and then towelling him off.

Is there any past expierences or anything that if your son or daughter had and how you fixed it? If it did what was the age when they had it- It can be very important

thanks!

I do not know for sure if its a rash... usually rashes are different colour but his skin is same colour but just feels rough.

Answer 1

Have you recently changed detergents or soaps in your home? Does it itch? A lot of time exposure to harsh cause rashes. A lot of rashes do have some red coloring so I'm not exactly sure what it may be.
I did have a rash that started as a single raised area & it eventually spread all over my body except my face & arms when I was 15. My doctor suggested a change in detergent, I was on topical steriods (not good for long term use b/c it thinned my skin). If I had to be on it then I would have opted for the cream instead of the solution, but I was a kid at the time & didn't know about that stuff till I got to pharmacy school.However, steroids are good if there is inflammation.

I have no idea how I got this rash, but it eventually went away over the next year. I went to my family doctor who didn't treat it properly (that's how I got the permanant stretch marks on my legs w/ the meds me tried). Then I went to a dermatologist who finally resolved the issue. I would go straight to the dermatologist since they specialize in skin problems, b/c family doctors treat so many things & it's more of a trial & error hoping the med they selected solves the problem. A dermatologist is more likely to have seen those skin problems more often & properly treat it. I'd go straight to the dermatologist so you don't have to go through long term treatment w/ improper meds, b/c you don't want to end up w/ scarring or stretch marks like I did. Plus if it is properly diagnosed, then it can be properly treated so the rash can resolve sooner.

Before you go to the doctor, it could just be an allergic reaction to something. Try these first & see if they work. You can use an oatmeal bath (ie. Aveeno or store brand) to moisturize & smooth the skin. You can also use a mosturizing cream not lotion b/c it's thicker & tends to absorb into the skin better to retain moisture. I also agree w/ the above comment of no hot baths. That draws moisture out of the body & can worsen dry skin. Look for a container that says non-comedogenic-meaning that it does not clog pores & cause breakouts). Brands such as Eurcerin are pretty good, but store brands are fine as well. If it itches then you could try giving Benadryl if you already haven't done so. If it works it may be an allergic reaction to something. W/ kids it tends to make them a bit hyperactive (it's sedating for adults) so don't over do it.
If none of the above work or it doesn't resolve or worsens then I would suggest going to the Dr. b/c it could be an bacterial/fungal infection that may need to be treated w/ rx meds.

Good luck & hope it helps.

Answer 2

Who asked you to give him the moisture robbing baths? Are you sure you didn't scald him once? That widespread of a rash may sound like the effects of hot water that gave him a first degree burn. Did you see a doctor?

Answer 3

It sounds a lot like exema to me. My daughter has it. Get a cortisone cream and rub on it on a small area and see if it helps. You might need a prescription for it.

Answer 4

if his skin is dry, long hot baths will only make it worse. maybe its something like psoriasis. you should take him to a dermatologist to have it checked out.

Answer 5

bad reaction to the soap?