Could It Be a Skin Condition?

Updated on November 19, 2008
S.H. asks from Kechi, KS
37 answers

My two year old has had "heat rash" all summer in the creases of her arms. It gets really red and itchy and the doctor said it was just heat rash. Well, shes had it all summer and it hasnt gone away. I figured it was because her little arms are always bent and probably sweaty. Well now its cooler outside and its turned from red to scaly!! She wants me to scratch it all the time and lotions dont seem to help. Its so dry there really are scales!! The come off when picked at and dont bleed but Im sure they could if I messed with it more. Could this be Eczema or Psoriasis?? How do I get some relief for her? It doesnt seem to bother her all the time but she does say its itchy. Thanks in advance!!

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A.C.

answers from St. Louis on

Go to a dermatologist. They will know exactly what it is. Instead of guessing and trying different remedies, you can get it over with.

1 mom found this helpful
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C.D.

answers from St. Louis on

Eczema does tend to appear in the creases of arms and behind the knees. My daughter had this over the summer and we switched to sunscreens, lotions and soaps that were paraben free, as some people are allergic to those, and it cleared it up. Good luck.

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N.G.

answers from Columbia on

My youngest used to have eczema all over his stomach and part of his back. It was these dry, red and almos flaky spots. I bought Aveeno lotion for babies and the first time we used it all most all of it went away. Aveeno also has other products designed for eczema, the lotion, and a bath wash. We still use the lotion from time to time, but we haven't had a problem since. Don't know if this is the same thing or not, but hope it helps.

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K.V.

answers from Kansas City on

It does sound like eczema or something along those lines.
My mom used to do a regiment of vitamins that cleared it up completely. I am not sure what they were. I know that primrose oil(an oral vitamin)is one the things that she took.
My best to you. I am so sorry that she is having this problem.

1 mom found this helpful
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A.N.

answers from St. Louis on

It definitely sounds like it could be eczema. My daughter has had eczema since she was a little over a year old. It started in the creases of her arms and knees, and now at nearly 5, the poor thing has it everywhere! It's a tough situation, becuase eczema can be caused, and aggravated by so many different things, and it seems to be different for everyone. Sometimes it's allergy related, or a sensitivity to certain detergents, etc. Other times, it seems to be just extremely dry skin, which can be aggravated by dry weather or heat. The routine that has helped keep ours under control is, twice a day we moisturize all over (currently we're using Cetaphil cream), and we use a Rx topical steroid for her really bad spots. I tried getting away from steroids for a while and tried lots of alternative things, but that is the only thing that has really worked for us. If her condition is pretty mild, you might try an OTC hydrocortisone cream like Cortaid. That may help the itching. Also, you will hear a lot of conflicting advice about baths, but frequent baths work best for us - everyday when possible. But always follow baths immediately with a heavy duty moisturizer like cetaphil cream, aquaphor, or even plain old vaseline works pretty well. Best of luck!

1 mom found this helpful
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C.O.

answers from Kansas City on

My 19 year old daughter has had problems with rashes most of her life. She has excema and it flares up in the heat. The only thing that has worked for her is Emu oil. you can find it at health stores or you can go to www.hearbalhealer.com and order it online. It is all natural so no side affects. If you go to the above web site you can read all about how it works ect. Hope this helps.
C.

1 mom found this helpful
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S.P.

answers from Lawrence on

My daughter also has this on her arms, and the doctor said it is a form eczema, and is caused from allergies, we have a topical creme,clotrimazole/bethameth, that helps. But really helps is an anahistamine or latatadine, for a time to help with the allergic reaction. It comes and goes, and I have seen it in different spots, wrist, upper arm, back of elbows. He said where they sweat you will see it. The cream does leave a white spot on there arm for a time and fades.
Hope this helps!
S.

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K.B.

answers from Wichita on

Good Morning S., I would guess it is Eczema. Our almost one yr old Gr son has it very bad.Arms, wrists, back tummy, legs ankles..etc
His Ped gave us a script and then told us to put A cortisone cream with Aloe and Vit B in it on top of that. The trick is to put it on when they are wet just out of the tub. It really does work well. He told us if it gets really bad to put them in wet PJ's when applying the script and cortisone.

Best of everything to you, hope you can get some relief for your little angel girl
K.
Nana of 5

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L.A.

answers from Columbia on

I would ask for a referral to a pediatric dermatologist. If your doctor refuses, change doctors.

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P.H.

answers from Wichita on

My son had Exzema from day 3. It would come and go, and completely clear up only to come back. By the time he was two, he had it in his arm creases, and behind his knees consistantly.
All the things the Moms have said will work in various combinations. You will have to find out what works for her best by trying different things.
Over the years we've tried prescription lotions, over the counter things, but what has finally settled out to be the best regimine for him is things the allergist and other doctors have suggested.
1.) soaking in lukewarm bath for up to 20 minutes. Eczema according to the dermatologist, is a condition that doesn't allow the skin cells to hang on to moisture, so this helps rehydrate the cells.
2.) Liberally apply either Renew lotion by Melalucca, or overthe counter Eucerine lotion every day after the bath, and in between times as needed.
3.) If the rash is open or oozing, apply Hydrocortozone cream, and antibiotic ointment.
4.) Maintain allergy routines (medicines and avoidance of any foods)
5.) Fish oil capsules daily. Check for body weight for dosage.

This really seems to keep the rash and itching down and sometimes completely cleared up. My son is now 13, and is pretty good about making sure the regimine is followed on his own.

S.L.

answers from Kansas City on

To me it sounds more like some sort of fungus. I deal with this and it comes out in a variety of ways. I've never found a good product that cures it and I've been on internal medicines that are very potent on top of so many creams. I wish I had a better answer for you. But it couldn't hurt trying the lotrimin creams meant for athletes foot.

D.H.

answers from Kansas City on

If your insurance will allow you, I'd go see the pediatric dermatologist at Children's Mercy. We went and our daughter was diagnosed with a nickel allergy and we've been able to control it with what the doctor has told us to do. In my daughter's case her flare-ups are in the winter and she is clear in the summer. I hope you find something to help her. Good luck and God Bless.

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S.R.

answers from Kansas City on

It sounds like Eczema to me. I have eczema. Try a lotion with oatmeal in it and when she showers or takes a bath make sure the water it not to hot because that can dry out the skin also. I put lotion on as soon as I get out of the shower. Make sure that she is dried off really well. If it doesn't get better you may have to see a dermatologist.

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N.W.

answers from Columbia on

S.,
My husband is a family practice Doctor and he usually tells moms to see a Dermatologist if he cannot explain or treat an unknown rash. However, one thing he ALWAYS tells his moms is "don't pick on anything". That substantially increases risk for infection or for your Doctor or Dermatologist not to really be able to identify something that has been 'messed with.'
Hope this helps.

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L.P.

answers from Kansas City on

I would honestly try Arbonne baby wash, lotion & oil. OR another great product is Melaleuca's Renew lotion.

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K.B.

answers from St. Louis on

Hey S.,
What I have found with many others in your same situation is if they try a sample of the Arbonne baby care products there eczema has become a non issue. Please let me send you a sample to try and see what results you get also I would be happy to send some picture testimonials of all the great results people are getting, it is unbelievable but great for all involved.
I hope to be able to help!!
K.

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G.R.

answers from St. Louis on

I would try Hydrocortisone 1% cream.

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P.P.

answers from Topeka on

sounds like the allergy exzema I had as a child. Have you tried an anti-histamine? Talk to your doc about it.

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J.V.

answers from Topeka on

It sounds like a YEAST INFECTION. Yes, people, especially children and elderly, can get yeast infections under arm pits, in groin areas, behind the knees, on the behind, and anywhere there is a skin fold. Talk to your Dr. about getting your child checked for a yeast infection.

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D.M.

answers from Lawrence on

Hi S., I have a 2 1/2 year old and he has the same problem and he has Eczema. I took him to the Dermatologist and she told me that was exactly what it was and gave me a few medications to help him. Eczema is usually behind the knees, and in the bend of the arms and all the little places like that. It does get worse when it is hot outside but it is there all year round. My son has it every where but it gets really bad behind his knees and stuff. What kind of lotion's are you using to they have dyes or scents to them, that makes the Eczema worse. You have to use a lotion with no scents or dyes. Another thing is i use clear all when I wash my son's clothes because if anything as a scent to it, makes his Eczema worse. Good luck to you and God Bless!!!

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C.S.

answers from St. Louis on

My daughter had same rash, on crease of her arms and back of her knees. She was missed diagnosed with scabbies! After months of treating her with meds it still did not go away. Then another doctor told me it was Psoriasis. He gave me steroid ointment and it was gone in a couple days. Also, to help the skin, put on olive oil or any pure vegetable oil or vaseline, this will help, lotions only irritate. I have also been using dead sea bath salts (unscented) to support the skin. The Psoriasis can come back although no one really knows what causes it.

Hope this helps.

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S.S.

answers from St. Louis on

sounds like Eczema. both my daughter and older son have it. I use Mary Kay night cream. for us, nothing works faster or better. It only takes alittle bit and it keeps their skin in good shape all winter long. When my son was little he would go to his dad's and they wouldn't put anything on his skin so it would flair up, and I would hav eto use kids hydrocortozone cream before I could put the Mary Kay night cream on because the skin was iritated and it hurt him, until we got it back under control.

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S.J.

answers from St. Louis on

My son has eczema and that sounds like what happens to him. He gets it mostly in the creases of his little rolls on his legs and arms. I would go to a dermatologist if I were you. Good luck.

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T.S.

answers from Wichita on

My daughter has the same thing. Her's gets so bad that I have to wrap her arms in ace bandages because she itches until it does bleed. She has allergies to a lot of things. This seems to be an allergic reaction for her. I thought it was eczema at first because my other daughter has that. I would notice when she drinks too much milk or has tomato sauce her arms get worse. Weather also affects it. When she starts to get a little red I start giving her singulair. I don't give it to her all the time just when she's having some problems. You might check with an allergy dr. For temporary relief you could try some hydrocortizone cream and wrap her arms so she doesn't touch them.

Good Luck!

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D.Z.

answers from St. Louis on

Definetly take her to dermatologist my niece had a rash on inside of her arm an they could never figure out what it was until after they did biopsy on it. And Now I can't remember what it was called but she had to have medicine from him to clear it up. Diana Z

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S.H.

answers from St. Louis on

my 12 y.o.son had this over the summer, & our dr diagnosed it as a "fungus" like athlete's foot. We were given Mentax, & it did clear the rash up.

If our son uses "manly" shampoos/body wash, then he tends to dry out & begin to scratch in these areas. If he doesn't remember to back-off the manly stuff, then he eventually ends up with the rash again. It's not that the rash never clears up, it's just a case of triggering the drying & allergic reaction again/again. He does very well if he remembers to use the Aveeno/Oil Olay/or any other sensitive body wash.

Another interesting fact would be...swimming in chlorinated pools also clears it up! In a snap, in fact....yuck, huh?

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S.C.

answers from Kansas City on

Sounds like eczema to me. My 3.5 yr old twins have it. My daughter was first diagnosed at about 4 months old. We use the heavy duty moisturizing cremes, limit exposure to water, especially hot water, and use 1% hydracortizone creme on the really bad areas. Hope this helps.

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V.M.

answers from Wichita on

Hi S.,

I see someone has already recommended Arbonne baby products. They are awesome products and I love the fact that they are all natural. My granddaughter has the same issue and the Arbonne products really help her. I live in the Wichita area and can get you more info, free samples, etc. If you decide to purchase, they have a 45 day money back guarantee too so if it doesn't work you've lost nothing. We also offer an annual membership where you can shop wholesale and save 35% and more on orders. Just send me a message and I'll be happy to get the info and free sample to you. Hope you can find some relief for her soon.

V.
____@____.com
www.vickimartinez.myarbonne.com

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L.K.

answers from Kansas City on

it sounds exactly like eczema. I can't believe the doctor
said it was a heat rash. the itching, scaling and eventually
cracking of the skin is eczema. there are lotions you can
buy in the baby section of walgreens or CVS that are made
specially for eczema and there is also a mild steriod cream
called triamcinalone that I use and so does my bf's son. it
clears it right up but you have to get it from your doc.
you might have to take her to a dermatologist.

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S.K.

answers from Wichita on

It sounds like it might be eczema or psoriasis. Or perhaps she is allergic to something. Maybe even the soap you are using for her bath or on the clothes. You might try changing laundry soaps to one of the dye/fragrance free products and see if that helps. And you might try starting a food diary to see if her symptoms worsen after eating certain foods.

We use a silver solution made by Nutronix on my granddaughter's (and ourselves) when they get scrapes, scratches, and they heal up really fast. I'd heard it was good for burns, but hadn't gotten burnt till a couple weeks ago when my son was home and I was baking pies. I got a 'good' burn on my arm, put ice on it immediately, then the silver before I went to bed, and it was almost healed the next morning.

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D.L.

answers from Topeka on

Take your daughter to a dermatologist to confirm but it does sound like eczema. That is the same location as to where my son's begins. He only baths in aveeno shampoo(he is 6) and his soap is cetaphil(you buy it over the counter at the drugstore). He must be patted dry in those areas of his arms immediately when he gets out of the shower. The we use aquaphor if it is still dry. My son's is perfectly clear right now. Watch your laundry detergent, highly fragranced stuff will irritate it especially if she sweats in that area.

Good luck,
D.

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J.R.

answers from Joplin on

It sounds like a yeast problem. I have yeast breakouts at the back of my neck under my hair line and some other places. Yeast likes moist, warm places. Go to a health food store and get her started on acidolpholus (spelling???) ... the person at the store can help you. The doctors tried to tell me it was eczema or psoriasis also, and everything they prescribed NEVER worked! I had to take a huge quantity of acidolpholus in order to get it under control. You also have to be very consistent taking it every day ... or even several times a day. It took around four to six months to get it under control, but I started seeing a relief much earlier. Good luck!

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J.H.

answers from Kansas City on

Hi S.,
My guess is that it is one of those skin conditions, I have psoriasis and my little niece has eczema and thats something we both deal with, so I would return and talk again to your doctor. It can be very painful so I wouldn't let it go til its taken care of.
Take care,
J.

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L.S.

answers from Springfield on

I briefly read over all the suggestions and didn't see this: Keratosis Pilaris. Look it up online and see if that looks like what she has. As the season changes, due to the skin already being dry, it begins to itch and sometimes spread. I just found out I had it. Its treated with Amlactin most commonly, you can ask your pharmacist at Walmart for it (they keep it behind the counters) and there are 3 different types, the regular, XL, and XL something else (can't remember what additional ingredients are in it). If you end up trying this, google coupons for it, the XL is very expensive, $35, but you can get a $5 coupon off. The smallest bottle of regular stuff is 11'ish and medium bottle is 13'ish. I've been using the regular stuff and it's working just fine, I didn't want to use the strongest available if the standard would work :). It's noteworthy that it's also used for psoriasis and eczema. If it is KP it will get rid of the bumps/scales but it will take a while for the redness to go away. My dermatologist prescribed something to reduce the redness initially and then just maintain with the Amlactin. Best of luck!

M.B.

answers from St. Louis on

Its probably eczema. My daughters eczema goes crazy when she is hot. Take her to a dermatologist. Good luck its no fun. My daughter developed her eczema when she was two.

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M.R.

answers from Kansas City on

Sounds like eczema to me too. I scanned the answers and didn't see this suggestion. Try only bathing her every other day at most. Baths and soaps will dry her skins. If she has opens areas on her skin, the water and soap can sting and hurt her. Our allergist recommended a cream to put on the skin every night that has helped Eucerin. Does she have asthma? I have read information that Eczema and asthma are often both present. The person is more likely to have asthma if they have eczema on their face. Hope this helps. M.

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D.S.

answers from Kansas City on

I work with a company that manufactures wellness products for your home. They are safer "greener" products that help with conditions such as Eczema, Psoriasis, etc. As well as Asthma and other respiratory conditions. Normal household cleaners are full of toxic, caustic chemicals that are h*** o* your body internally and externally. I would love to give you all the details of the products. I had a skin condition on my arms since I was a kid and after one month of using the body lotion, the condition is gone! I lived with it for 40 years and one month, it's gone! Please call me at ###-###-#### and I can give you all the details on converting your home to a safer, healthier place for you and your daughter!

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