Pediatric Contact Dermatitis: When Should Your Child See a Dermatologist?

June 5, 2024 by Katie.thielsen

Contact dermatitis is a common skin issue for adults, but can also be a problem in children. If your child is experiencing contact dermatitis, should you consult a dermatologist or your primary physician, or will this issue go away on its own?

If something causes an allergic reaction on a child’s skin, contact dermatitis can result – which causes a rash of itchy blisters. Diaper rash is a type of contact dermatitis. Many other common environmental factors can also cause this condition. Thankfully, contact dermatitis is NOT contagious.

For relief, children must avoid what causes the rash. Treatment may also be needed for it to clear.

While determining the cause may sound easy, this can be a challenge. More than 15,000 environmental factors that touch our skin can cause an allergic reaction. Some common irritants include certain fragrances and nickel, which are found in hundreds of products and everyday items. Because of this, it is best to consult a board-certified dermatologist if you notice the signs of contact dermatitis in your child.

Dermatologists can help treat your child’s contact dermatitis by:

• Identifying what irritates their skin or causes an allergic reaction.
• Treating the rash and/or blisters caused by contact dermatitis.
• Helping you and your child avoid what causes the contact dermatitis.

The longer your child has contact dermatitis, the longer it will take to clear after the cause is found, so the sooner your child sees a dermatologist, the better.

If your child is suffering from contact dermatitis symptoms, your local VitalSkin dermatology team is here to help. Schedule an appointment today!