Common Childhood Skin Problems

What's That?

Wondering what that rash, welt, or bump on your child's skin is? Infection, allergies, and temperature extremes are often behind the skin conditions seen in babies and children -- and many are minor and easily treated. You can learn to recognize some of the most common conditions -- but remember: Always consult a doctor for proper diagnoses and treatment.


Ringworm

Worms don't cause ringworm. Instead, this skin infection is caused by a fungus living off dead skin, hair, and nail tissue. Starting as a red, scaly patch or bump, it develops into an itchy red ring with raised, blistery, or scaly borders. Ringworm is passed on by skin-to-skin contact with a person or animal, and by sharing items like towels or sports gear. Most ringworm infections can be treated with antifungal creams.


Fifth Disease ('Slapped Cheek')

A contagious and usually mild illness that passes in a couple weeks, fifth disease starts with flu-like symptoms, followed by a face and body rash. Spread by coughing and sneezing, it's most contagious the week before the rash appears. Treatment includes rest, fluids, and pain relievers (do not give aspirin to children), but watch for signs of more serious illness. If your child has fifth disease and you are pregnant, contact your doctor.


Chickenpox

Although chickenpox rash was a common rash when most current adults were children, it isn't commonly seen in children these days because of the chickenpox vaccine. Very contagious, chickenpox spreads easily, leaving an itchy rash and red spots or blisters all over the body. Chickenpox spots go through stages: blistering, bursting, drying, and crusting. Chickenpox can lead to serious complications such as pneumonia, brain damage, or death.


Impetigo

A contagious infection usually caused by staphylococcal or streptococcal bacteria, impetigo causes red sores or blisters that can break open, ooze, and develop a yellow-brown crust. Sores can occur anywhere on the body but usually appear around the mouth and nose. Impetigo can be spread to others through close contact or by sharing items like towels and toys. Scratching can also spread it to other parts of the body. Antibiotic ointment usually cures it. Antibiotic pills may be needed.


Warts

Skin growths caused by contact with the contagious human papillomavirus, warts can spread from person-to-person or via contact with an object used by a person with the virus. Common warts are most often found on fingers and hands. Prevent the spread of warts by not picking them, covering them with bandages, and not biting your nails or cuticles. In most cases warts are harmless, painless, and go away on their own. If they persist, treatments include freezing, surgery, lasers, and chemicals.



Heat Rash ('Prickly Heat')

The result of blocked sweat ducts, heat rash looks like small red or pink pimples. Appearing over an infant's head, neck, and shoulders, the rash is often caused when well-meaning parents dress baby too warmly, but it can happen to any infant in very hot weather. A baby should be dressed with only one more layer than an adult; though their feet and hands may feel cool to the touch, this is usually not a problem.

Contact Dermatitis

Contact dermatitis is a skin reaction caused by touching a substance, such as food, soap, or the oil of plants like poison ivy, sumac, or oak. The rash usually starts within 48 hours after exposure. Minor cases may cause mild skin redness or a rash of small red bumps, while severe reactions can cause swelling, redness, and larger blisters. Contact dermatitis is usually mild and goes away when contact with the substance ends.


Hand-Foot-Mouth Disease (Coxsackie)

This common, contagious childhood illness starts with a fever, then painful mouth sores and a non-itchy rash with blisters on hands, feet, and sometimes buttocks and legs follow. It spreads through coughing, sneezing, and used diapers, so wash hands often when dealing with coxsackie. Home treatment includes ibuprofen or acetaminophen (do not give aspirin to children) and lots of fluids. Not serious, coxsackie usually goes away on its own in about a week.


Atopic Dermatitis

A problem causing dry skin, intense itching, and a raised rash, some children outgrow atopic dermatitis (the most common type of eczema) or have milder cases as they age. What causes atopic dermatitis isn't clear, but those affected may have a personal history of allergies and asthma and a sensitive immune system.


Hives (Urticaria)

Hives occur as a rash or welts and are often itchy, or may burn or sting. They can appear anywhere on the body and may last minutes or days. Hives can signal serious problems, especially if accompanied by difficult breathing or facial swelling. Medications like aspirin or penicillin; foods like eggs, nuts, and shellfish; food additives; temperature extremes, and infections like strep throat can cause hives. Removing the trigger often resolves the hives and an antihistamine can help. If hives persist or are accompanied with other symptoms, seek medical help.


Scarlet Fever

Scarlet fever is simply strep throat with a rash. Symptoms include sore throat, fever, headache, abdominal pain, and swollen neck glands. After 1-2 days, a red rash with a sandpaper texture appears, after 7-14 days, the rash sloughs off.  Scarlet fever is very contagious, but good hand washing can reduce its spread. Call your pediatrician immediately if you think your child has it, and treat with antibiotics to avoid serious complications.


Roseola Infantum (Sixth Disease)

A mild, contagious illness, roseola infantum is most common in children age 6 months to 2 years, and is rare after age 4. The symptoms are respiratory illness, followed by a high fever (which can trigger seizures) for several days. Fevers abruptly end and are followed by a rash of small, pink, flat, or slightly raised bumps on the trunk, then the extremities.

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10 Super Snacks With 100 Calories or Less

1/2 Cup Slow-Churned Ice Cream

Surprise! Ice cream tops our list of low-calorie snacks. The key is to look for slow-churned or double-churned varieties. This refers to a process that reduces fat and calories while retaining the creamy texture of full-fat varieties, so 1/2 cup has just 100 calories. As a bonus, you’ll get some protein and calcium.

• Saturated Fat: 2 g


• Sodium: 45 mg


• Cholesterol: 20 mg


• Carbs: 15 g

6 Cups Microwave Popcorn

When you want a large snack with a small calorie count, popcorn delivers. Some microwave brands have just 100 calories in 6 cups. "You have to chew it, so it's satisfying," says Joan Salge Blake, RD, a spokesperson for the American Dietetic Association. It's also high in fiber, which can help you stay full longer.

• Saturated Fat: 0.5 g


• Sodium: 220 mg


• Cholesterol: 0 mg


• Carbs: 24 g

Mini Quesadilla

You may not expect cheese quesadillas to make a list of low-calorie snacks, but try this recipe: sprinkle an ounce of grated low-fat cheddar cheese over a corn tortilla. Fold in half and microwave for 20 seconds. This quick and tasty snack has only 100 calories and 1.3 g of saturated fat.

• Saturated Fat: 1.3 g


• Sodium: 182 mg


• Cholesterol: 6 mg

Cottage Cheese and Cantaloupe

Cottage cheese is a protein powerhouse, with 1/2 cup delivering 14 g. Like fiber, protein can help you stay full longer. Enjoy low-fat cottage cheese plain or with a side of fruit. A small wedge of cantaloupe brings the total calories to 100.

• Saturated Fat: 0.7 g


• Sodium: 468 mg


• Cholesterol: 5 mg

Three Crackers With Cheese

Choosing whole-grain crackers is the key to this classic snack. The fiber will keep you feeling full between meals, and the cheese provides protein and calcium. To stay under 100 calories, cut up one slice of low-fat cheese and split it over three crackers.

• Saturated Fat: 1.2 g


• Sodium: 397 mg


• Cholesterol: 7 mg

Fourteen Almonds

When the munchies strike while you're on the go, there are few things more convenient than nuts. You can eat 14 almonds without hitting the 100-calorie mark. Plus, they're rich in fiber and protein, which help keep hunger at bay. "They're a great snack when you're stuck in traffic," Blake adds.

• Saturated Fat: 0.63 g


• Sodium: 0 mg


• Cholesterol: 0 mg

Six Whole-Grain Pretzel Sticks

For those who don't like nuts, pretzels are just as convenient when you're on the move. To stay under 100 calories, stick to six whole-grain pretzel sticks. This snack is cholesterol-free, low in fat and sugar, and provides more than 3 g of fiber to help tide you over.

• Saturated Fat: 0.4g


• Sodium: 257mg


• Cholesterol: 0 m

Baked Apple

Apples are still one of the healthiest snacks around, and there are plenty of ways to put a twist on this old standby. Blake recommends enjoying baked apples – they taste like dessert but provide the same vitamins and fiber as their fresh counterparts. You can even sprinkle cinnamon on top without adding calories.

• Saturated Fat: 0 g


• Sodium: 2 mg


• Cholesterol: 0 mg

Cheese-Stuffed Pita Pocket

Here's one that's easy to make and gives you the satisfaction of biting into a sandwich. Grab a whole-grain pita pocket and stuff it with 1/2 ounce part-skim ricotta cheese. The fiber and protein will help fill you up, and the whole snack has less than a gram of saturated fat.

• Saturated Fat: 0.8 g


• Sodium: 149 mg


• Cholesterol: 4 mg

Blueberry Smoothie

A fruit smoothie offers a scrumptious way to get in some extra calcium and antioxidants during your day. Try blending 1/3 cup of nonfat yogurt with 2/3 cup of frozen blueberries and ice. "It's very refreshing and very cold," Blake says. "That slows down your ability to drink quickly." Snacks that take more time to finish are often more satisfying.

• Saturated Fat: 0 g


• Sodium: 59 mg


• Cholesterol: 2 mg

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Surprising Reasons You're in Pain

Pain Trigger: Flip-Flops

Often, the blame for our pain rests on the simple choices we make every day. The Cleveland Clinic Florida's David Westerdahl, MD, shares a few examples -- starting with flip-flops and foam-soled sandals. They provide poor arch support, leading to pain in the feet, ankles, and knees.
Solution: Wear shoes with arch support. When you know you'll be walking a lot, opt for sneakers.


Pain Trigger: Smart Phones

Do you have a phone that lets you text, surf the web, and play games? That's a lot of mileage for your thumbs. Doctors have begun reporting cases of arthritis at the base of the thumb in younger people, possibly related to texting.
Solution: When your thumbs begin to ache, give the texting a rest. If pain continues, use your phone to make an actual call -- to a doctor. There are effective treatments for arthritis.


Pain Trigger: Active Video Games

Video games that simulate the motions of popular sports can result in real sports injuries. Doctors say overzealous gaming can cause everything from sprains to torn ligaments and broken bones.
Solution: Do some stretching before starting an active video game. Make sure you have plenty of space around you, so you won't trip or crash into anything. And don't play for longer than you would a real sport.Trigger: Smart Phones
Do you have a phone that lets you text, surf the web, and play games? That's a lot of mileage for your thumbs. Doctors have begun reporting cases of arthritis at the base of the thumb in younger people, possibly related to texting.
Solution: When your thumbs begin to ache, give the texting a rest. If pain continues, use your phone to make an actual call -- to a doctor. There are effective treatments for arthritis.


Pain Trigger: Cheese

Cheese lovers, take note -- your favorite food may be the reason for all those headaches. Aged cheese, such as blue cheese, cheddar, parmesan, and Swiss contain high amounts of a substance called tyramine.This notorious headache trigger is also found in some processed meats and beverages.
Solution: Keep a food diary to help spot links between foods and headaches, so you'll know what to avoid.


Pain Trigger: Couch Potato Syndrome

Even down time can be a source of aches and pains. Do you often lie across the couch with your head turned toward the television? You're setting yourself up for a sore neck -- especially if you fall asleep in that position.
Solution: Maintain good posture even when you're relaxing. Sit up straight on your couch and make sure your TV is not positioned too high.


Pain Trigger: Your Baby

The simple act of lifting your baby out of the crib each day can lead to de Quervain's tenosynovitis. This is a repetitive stress injury that causes pain and swelling in the wrist and thumb.
Solution: Learn to lift your baby without straining the wrists. Place your hands under the back and buttocks, and lift with the bigger muscles of your arms.


Pain Trigger: Laptop Case

If you carry your laptop around like an extra limb, you're likely to strain some part of the body. Handheld laptop cases put stress on the forearm and can actually give you tennis elbow, says Westerdahl. Bags that you wear over one shoulder can contribute to back and shoulder pain.
Solution: Try a rolling laptop case or consider switching to a lighter model.


Pain Trigger: Your Hairdo

A tight ponytail may trigger -- or worsen -- a headache. Some migraine sufferers are more sensitive to sensations that wouldn't bother others, such as a tight hat, headband, bun, or braids.
Solution: Wear your hair down and skip the hat.


Pain Trigger: Sleep Habits

If you wake up sore most mornings, take a good look at your sleep posture. Stomach sleepers may twist their necks to the point of hyperextension. Other people sleep on their sides with one arm overhead. After many hours, this position can strain the shoulder.
Solution: Better ways to sleep are on your back or on your side with your arms below shoulder level. Side sleepers can place a pillow between the knees to support the lower back. Back sleepers can put a pillow under the neck and beneath their knees.


Pain Trigger: Beverages

When it comes to beverages, alcohol is the king of pain. Red wine, whiskey, beer, and champagne are the drinks blamed most often for a throbbing head.
Solution: Limit your intake of alcohol.


Pain Trigger: Lifting With the Back

A top source of back pain is lifting the wrong way. A common mistake is curving the back forward to grab an object, then straightening the back as you lift. This forces your back muscles to take the brunt of the burden. Twisting while you lift is another problem.
Solution: To lift properly, bend the knees and hips until you are squatting. Keep the back upright. Grab the object and lift with your leg muscles by straightening your knees and hips.

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Lung Cancer Risks Myths and Facts

Reviewed by Louise Chang, MD on April 27, 2010
Source: 2010 WebMD


Myth: If You've Smoked for Years, the Damage Is Done

Fact: It's never too late to stop smoking. Quitting has almost immediate benefits, including improved circulation and lung function. Risk of lung cancer begins to decline over time. Ten years after quitting, former smokers cut their risk of developing lung cancer by half.

Myth: Low-Tar or "Light" Cigarettes Are Safer Than Regular

Fact: Light, ultra-light, or low-tar are just as dangerous as regular cigarettes. And beware of menthol: Some research suggests that menthol cigarettes may be more dangerous and harder to quit. Their cooling sensation can allow smokers to inhale more deeply.

Myth: Smoking Marijuana Doesn't Increase Lung Cancer Risk

Fact: Marijuana smoking may increase lung cancer risk, but more research is needed. Many people who use marijuana also smoke cigarettes, and marijuana smoking exposes a person to more tar and other cancer-causing substances that you would find in cigarettes.

Myth: Smoking Marijuana Doesn't Increase Lung Cancer Risk

Fact: Marijuana smoking may increase lung cancer risk, but more research is needed. Many people who use marijuana also smoke cigarettes, and marijuana smoking exposes a person to more tar and other cancer-causing substances that you would find in cigarettes.

Myth: Pipes and Cigars Don't Cause Lung Cancer

Fact: Smoking pipes or cigars increases not only lung cancer risk but also the risk for cancers of the mouth, throat, and esophagus. Cigar smoking puts you at much greater risk of both heart disease and lung disease. Cigars are just as toxic, maybe more so, than cigarettes.

Myth: Smoking Is Your Only Lung Cancer Risk Factor

Fact: The second leading cause of lung cancer, after tobacco smoke, is an odorless radioactive gas called radon. Emitted from rock and soil, it can seep up into homes and other buildings. The only way to know if you're living with dangerous levels is to test your house or office for it. Call your state or county health department for information.

Myth: Talcum Powder Causes Lung Cancer

Fact: Researchers have found no association between lung cancer and breathing in talcum powder. However, occupational exposure to asbestos, vinyl chloride, and other substances do increase lung cancer risk.

Myth: If Diagnosed With Lung Cancer, Quitting is Pointless

Fact: Continued smoking decreases the effectiveness of cancer treatment and may make side effects worse. Smokers undergoing surgery, for example, have more trouble healing than ex-smokers. Those who smoke while undergoing radiation for cancer of the larynx are less likely to regain normal voice quality. In some cases, quitting can cut the risk of a second cancer forming.

Myth: Exercise Doesn’t Affect Lung Cancer Risk

Fact: Regular physical activity may reduce the risk of lung cancer by up to 20%, studies show. In addition, exercise improves lung function and reduces the danger of other diseases, including heart disease and stroke.

Myth: Air Pollution Is a Leading Cause of Lung Cancer

Fact: Outdoor air pollution is responsible for only about 5% of lung cancer cases. Tobacco smoke remains by far the biggest killer.

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Adult Skin Problems

Wrinkles

are a by-product of the aging process. With age, skin cells divide more slowly, and the inner layer, called the dermis, begins to thin. The network of elastin (the protein which causes skin to stretch) and collagen fibers (the major structural proteins in the skin), which support the outer layer, loosen and unravel, causing depressions on the surface. With aging, skin also loses its elasticity, is less able to retain moisture, oil-secreting glands are less efficient and the skin is slower to heal. All of these contribute to the development of wrinkles.

Dandruff

Skin cells that grow and die off too fast are the cause of dandruff, but doctors do not know why this happens. One possible cause is a fat-eating fungus calledPityrosporum ovale, which is present in most people but to excess in dandruff sufferers. This fungus lives on the scalp of most healthy adults without causing any problems. Sometimes its numbers grow out of control and it feeds on the oil made by hair follicles. This causes irritation, which leads to an increase in skin cell shedding.

Female Pattern Baldness

Mistakenly thought to be a strictly male disease, women make up a significant percentage of American hair loss sufferers. Forty percent of women have visible hair loss by the time they are age 40, according to the American Academy of Dermatology. Hair loss in women can be absolutely devastating for self image and emotional well-being.

The American Hair Loss Association recognizes that hair loss in women is a serious life-altering condition that can no longer be ignored

Male Pattern Baldness

The male pattern baldness (MPB) form of androgenetic alopecia (there is also afemale pattern baldness) accounts for more than 95% of hair loss in men. By age 35, two-thirds of American men will have some degree of appreciable hair loss and by age 50 approximately 85% of men have significantly thinning hair. About 25% of men who suffer from male pattern baldness begin the painful process before they reach 21.

Contrary to societal belief, most men who suffer from male pattern baldness are extremely unhappy with their situation and would do anything to change it. Hair loss affects every aspect of their life. It affects interpersonal relationships as well as their professional life. It is not uncommon for men to change their career paths because of hair loss. Read more about hair loss.

Premature Gray Hair

"Premature graying is genetically determined for the most part," David Bank, MD, tells WebMD. Bank is director of the Center for Dermatology, Cosmetic, and Laser Surgery in Mount Kisco, N.Y. "Graying is natural. We all do it eventually."

When more than half the hair is white by age 40, though, this is considered "premature."

Bank also points out that head hair grows more actively than body hair. So the head can go gray while other hairy parts remain your normal color. Correction: Your former color. Read more about the ABCs of premature graying hair.

Telogen Effluvium

Telogen effluvium (TE) is probably the second most common form of hair loss dermatologists see. It is a poorly defined condition; very little research has been done to understand TE. In essence though, TE happens when there is a change in the number of hair follicles growing hair. If the number of hair follicles producing hair drops significantly for any reason during the resting, or telogen phase, there will be a significant increase in dormant, telogen stage hair follicles. The result is shedding, or TE hair loss.

Yellow Dandruff

If dandruff flakes are greasy and yellow, the probable cause is the skin condition known as seborrheic dermatitis; seborrhea is usually associated with redness as well. Dry, thick lesions consisting of large, silvery scales may be traced to the less-common psoriasis of the scalp. These scaly conditions become a hazard only if you scratch to the point of causing breaks in the skin, which can place you at greater risk for infections, particularly from staph and strep bacteria.

Dysplastic Nevi (Atypical Moles) Close-Up

Dysplastic nevi are moles that are larger than average (larger than a pencil eraser) and irregular in shape. They tend to have uneven color with dark brown centers and lighter, uneven edges. These moles tend to be hereditary (passed on from parent to child through genes). People with dysplastic nevi may have more than 100 moles and have a greater chance of developing melanoma, a serious form of skin cancer. Any changes in a mole should be checked by a dermatologist to detect skin cancer.

If the mole is found to be cancerous, and only a small section of tissue was taken, the dermatologist will remove the entire mole by cutting out the entire mole and a rim of normal skin around it, and stitching the wound closed.

Pigmented Nevi

Pigmented nevi (moles) are growths on the skin that usually are flesh-colored, brown or black. Moles can appear anywhere on the skin, alone or in groups. Moles occur when cells in the skin grow in a cluster instead of being spread throughout the skin. Moles may darken after exposure to the sun, during the teen years and during pregnancy.

In most cases, health care professionals can diagnose birthmarks based on the appearance of the skin. If a mole exhibits potentially cancerous changes, abiopsy may be performed.

Actinic Keratosis (Solar Keratosis)

Actinic keratoses are lesions on the outer skin layer caused by too much exposure to the ultraviolet rays of sunlight. They are also the beginnings of skin cancer, most often appearing after age 40. In some areas where climate is mild year-round -- like Florida and California -- these lesions appear in much younger people, even teenagers.

People with fair skin, blond or red hair, and blue or green eyes are most at risk of developing these rough, scaly "bumps." A history of burning rather than tanning also increases risk. If not treated, these bumps can develop into a more serious form of skin cancer.

Basal Cell Carcinoma

Basal cell carcinoma is the most common form of skin cancer and accounts for more than 90 percent of all skin cancer in the U.S. These cancers almost never spread (metastasize) to other parts of the body. They can, however, cause damage by growing and invading surrounding tissue.

Light-colored skin and sun exposure are both important factors in the development of basal cell carcinomas. About 20 percent of these skin cancers, however, occur in areas that are not sun-exposed, such as the chest, back, arms, legs, and scalp. The face, however, remains the most common location for basal cell lesions. Weakening of the immune system, whether by disease ormedication, can also promote the risk of developing basal cell carcinoma.

Cutaneous Horns

The cutaneous horn appears as a funnel-shaped growth that extends from a red base on the skin. It is composed of compacted keratin (the same protein in nails). The size and shape of the growth can vary considerably, but most are a few millimeters in length. Squamous cell carcinoma is often found at the base. It usually occurs in fair-skinned elderly adults with a history of significant sun exposure.

Less Common Skin Cancers

Uncommon types of skin cancer include Kaposi's sarcoma, mainly seen in people with weakened immune systems; Merkel cell carcinoma, which is usually found on sun-exposed areas on the head, neck, arms and legs but often spreads to other parts of the body; and sebaceous gland carcinoma, an aggressive cancer originating in the oil glands in the skin.

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