Lichen in children is a fairly common problem. These are infectious skin diseases that are the result of infection with pathogenic fungi or viruses. As a rule, the disease is accompanied by various lesions of the skin, and the source of pathogens can be both a person and a sick animal.
Lichen in children and their causes
As already mentioned, the disease is the result of infection with fungi or viruses. However, not every infected child shows symptoms, as some factors of the external or internal environment are of great importance here:
- First of all, the weakened immune system of the child should be attributed to risk factors.
- Also, fungal infections spread much faster in damp, warm weather.
- The risk of developing the disease increases with various endocrine diseases, in particular diabetes. In addition, lichen in children often appears against the background ofhormonal disruptions, for example, during puberty.
- Excessive sweating can also be attributed to risk factors, since fungal organisms need not only heat, but also moisture for normal development. In addition, with increased sweating, the pores on the skin expand, which makes it easier for pathogens to penetrate into the deeper layers of the skin.
Lichen in children: photos and main symptoms
In fact, "lichen" is a term that combines many different skin diseases.
- Ringworm is a fungal disease that is transmitted through contact with a sick person or animal. The disease manifests itself as red rounded spots on the skin, which are often covered with thin crusts. The disease is accompanied by constant itching and burning.
- Pityriasis versicolor in children is considered the most common problem. The role of the pathogen here is played by fungal organisms that are transmitted from a sick person to a he althy person both by direct contact and by sharing towels, toiletries, bed linen, etc. At the same time, spots of different colors appear on the skin - from light lemon to dark brown.
- Shingles is a disease caused by the herpes virus. This form is accompanied by the appearance on the skin of a characteristic herpetic rash in the form of small bubbles filled with liquid. As a rule, redness literally surrounds the child's chest. At the same time, it is possible to increasebody temperature, severe itching and general weakness.
- Lichen planus in a child is not so common. And to this day, the cause of the disease is not entirely clear - some experts believe that it is a viral disease, while others tend to think of an allergic or neurogenic origin.
Lichen in children: treatment
A child with a rash on the body should be immediately shown to a dermatologist - do not self-medicate, as some diseases can quickly become chronic. Treatment, of course, depends on the severity of the disease and the nature of the pathogen. For fungal lichen, various antifungal agents are used, including gels and ointments to treat the affected areas of the skin. And for shingles, antiviral and immunomodulatory drugs are used.
