Skin pathologies are different according to the age of the child. In the newborn, congenital lesions such as vascular malformations or melanocytic nevi are observed. In infants, seborrheic dermatitis and diaper dermatitis are very frequent. When the child is older we find warts, molluscum, impetigo and acquired nevi (moles). The typical skin disease of adolescence is acne, and at any age we can see one of the most frequent dermatological pathologies in childhood, atopic dermatitis.
Causes and symptoms of skin diseases
Each of the skin pathologies in pediatric age has a different etiology. Some have a genetic cause, while others are inflammatory diseases due to excess sebaceous secretion or dryness of the skin. Some, such as warts and impetigo, have an infectious origin, and in acne there is a hormonal influence.
As for the symptomatology, it depends on each type of lesion. Some are asymptomatic and only appear as a simple spot on the skin. Others, however, such as atopic dermatitis, can cause intense itching.
Treatment of skin pathologies
The treatment, as well as the symptomatology, is specific to each pathology. Some, such as atopic dermatitis, seborrheic dermatitis or diaper dermatitis, require topical treatment with lotions, creams, ointments, ointments or soaps appropriate to each case. Others may require oral treatment, as in some cases of impetigo or acne. Curettage may also be necessary in molluscum or surgical excision in some nevi.
The consequences of these pathologies in the child’s life are not usually very important, but in the case of atopic dermatitis, if not properly controlled with treatment, it can cause constant discomfort such as itching. Untreated warts or molluscum prevent the child from going to the swimming pool. In the case of acne, the psychological impact on the adolescent can be significant. And we must not forget possible long-term consequences such as malignization of lesions like nevi.