The appearance of spots on the legs of a child indicates the development of a pathological process in the body. Only a specialist can determine which disease caused the characteristic manifestations. The only thing a parent can do is show their child to a pediatrician as soon as possible.
Why do spots appear on the legs of a child?
Children have weak immune systems. Even a slight impact of negative factors quickly creates the basis for the development of the pathological process. The vast majority of diseases are characterized by characteristic symptoms that appear depending on which organ or system is damaged by the pathogen.
Spots on a child's legs (photos are presented in the article) can appear both under the influence of external and internal stimuli. Both those and others, if measures are not taken in time, can threaten the development of serious diseases.
External factors causing spots:
- Diaper rash.
- Stings and stingsblood-sucking insects.
- Allergic reaction to material for clothing, toys, cosmetics and other external irritants.
Internal factors:
- Diseases of infectious genesis.
- Dermatological fungal diseases.
- Parasitic infestations.
- Pathologies of internal organs or systems.
- Allergic reaction to internal stimuli.
Inadequate hygiene
Because of inexperience, young mothers often perform hygiene procedures inappropriately. The skin of young children is very thin and delicate. The upper layer of the epidermis has good permeability, but its protective functions are poorly developed. As a result of friction on the diaper, clothes, under the influence of urine residue (with poor hygiene), pathogenic microorganisms penetrate the skin, generating inflammatory processes.
One of the most common causes of spots on the legs and bottom of a child is diaper dermatitis. The disease affects every second baby, and children who are artificially fed, with a tendency to allergies, are more susceptible to it. Dermatitis is characterized by red spots on the buttocks and thighs with slight swelling. When touching the affected areas, the baby begins to cry.
Another cause of spots is diaper rash. Infectious inflammation of the skin occurs due to prolonged contact with feces, urine, sweat. Favorable factors for the development of inflammation include rare diaper changes and excessivewrapping.
Spots on the arms and legs of a child are a sign of allergies
Baby's skin is very sensitive and instantly reacts to various external and internal stimuli. Allergies in children are the reaction of a weak immune system to exposure to an allergen.
- Urticaria is an allergic disease characterized by the development of a rash. With hives in children, itchy patches with a rim of matte shades all over the body suddenly appear. Skin changes may be accompanied by high fever, headache.
- Atopic dermatitis is an allergic skin disease. Pathology is acute and chronic. Acute is characterized by the appearance in a child of rough spots on the legs, in the buttocks, arms, and on the skin of the face. Erythemas are bright pink in color, subsequently vesicles appear in their place with the formation of crusts.
Dermatological diseases
Along with allergic inflammatory processes, fungal skin diseases (mycosis) are the cause of spots on the skin of a child. The causative agent of the disease is pathogenic microscopic fungi that affect smooth skin, as well as hair and nails. According to statistics, about 40% of all dermatological diseases are mycoses. A significant proportion of the patients are children. The danger of illnesses is that they have a toxic and sensitizing effect on a weak children's body, which leads to a weakening of the immune system and aggravation of chronic pathologies. The most common diseaseswhich are characterized by the appearance of spots on the skin, are the following:
- Shingles is an infectious dermatosis, accompanied by a rash, itching, pigmentation disorders. In the first days, a red rash with vesicles forms. After a few days, they become cloudy and dry, leaving white spots on the child's legs.
- Pityriasis versicolor is the most common fungal skin disease. A variety of keratomycosis is characterized by pink-brown spots. The spread of the fungus contributes to increased sweating. The disease is prone to relapse and it is completely impossible to get rid of it, because the pathogen affects the mouth of the follicle.
- Drug dermatitis is an inflammation of the skin that occurs when a drug is used. The disease is characterized by the appearance in a child of red rough spots on the legs, arms and other parts of the body. The child's body is very sensitive to medications, so their use should be under the supervision of a pediatrician.
After a disease, children do not develop immunity to it, and therefore the risk of re-infection is very high.
Viral and bacterial infections
Protective functions in children are poorly developed. The child's body is attacked not only by pathogenic fungi, but also by bacteria, as well as viruses. The latter affect the body as a whole, therefore, diseases are accompanied, in addition to a rash, by other more dangerous manifestations. The following diseases are most commonly diagnosed in childhood:
- Chickenpox is an infectious disease caused byvaricella zoster virus. Chickenpox is considered the most common childhood infection. A characteristic symptom of the disease are rashes that can occur anywhere. Initially, the rash appears as red spots, which later progress to papules.
- Rubella is a viral disease characterized by intoxication and rashes that appear against its background. The rash first appears on the face and neck. A day later, the child has pink spots on the legs and other places, except for the palms and feet. Most often, rashes are preceded by itching.
- Erysipelas is an infectious disease caused by streptococcus. Erysipelatous inflammation is characterized by focal reddening of the skin, which disappears with pressure. In children, the disease is more often diagnosed at an early age. Treatment of babies is carried out exclusively in the hospital.
Insect bites
When bitten by stinging or blood-sucking insects, poison or active enzymes with anticoagulant, toxic effects enter the skin with saliva. The appearance of red spots in a child on the legs or in other places after a bite is a manifestation of hypersensitivity to the components of substances that enter upon contact with arthropods.
When bitten by bumblebees, hornets, bees, wasps or ants, in most cases, acute reactions occur, especially if contact occurs for the first time. The venom of stinging insects contains a large amount of proteins and other organic substances that contribute to the development of unwanted reactions.
When bitten by mosquitoes, bedbugs, horseflies, fleas, toxic active elements enter the skin with saliva, which cause hypersensitivity. A negative reaction can occur not only to a bite, but also to any contact with arthropod waste products.
Common bite rash often accompanied by itching, slight swelling, and sometimes soreness at the point of contact (usually from bee and wasp stings).
Vascular and blood diseases
Another reason that a child has spots on his legs may be a violation of the hemostasis system. The rash appears due to hemorrhages or bleeding in case of malfunctions of the platelet, plasma or vascular link of the hematopoietic system. In young patients, the most common pathological conditions are:
- Hemorrhagic vasculitis or capillary toxicosis - inflammation of small vessels (arterioles, venules, capillaries) of non-bacterial origin. The disease is characterized by small hemorrhagic spots that do not disappear with pressure. Most often, the rash appears on the buttocks, thighs, lower legs, much less often on the arms and torso. In a chronic relapsing course, peeling occurs. Rough spots appear on the child's legs.
- Thrombocytopenic purpura is a hematological pathology characterized by a lack of platelets in the blood, accompanied by bleeding. Rashes are different - from small dotted spots of dark red color to large purple-blue bruises. In children, the disease develops acutely and severely,often becomes chronic.
- Disseminated intravascular coagulation is a violation of hemostasis, characterized by the formation of blood clots in the microcirculatory network. With a moderate course, a plum-colored rash is observed. DIC is life-threatening due to the high likelihood of major bleeding.
Parasitic infestations
Helminthiases are parasitic diseases caused by helminths. Among all those infected, children account for about 85% of cases. Parasitic invasions are often confused with other diseases of infectious and non-infectious etiology, which interferes with timely therapy and contributes to the chronicity of the pathology.
Acute helminthiases are characterized by the appearance of spots on the child's legs, in the area of the elbow, like a urticaria. Other typical symptoms include loose stools, nausea, and abdominal pain.
Parasitic worms weaken the immune system, contribute to the development of an allergic reaction (dermatosis, eczema). The affected organism in the fight against infection produces a large number of protective cells, an inflammatory process occurs, which manifests itself in the form of an allergic reaction.
The most commonly diagnosed helminthiases in children:
- Enterobiosis.
- Ascariasis.
- Hookworm infection.
- Opistorhoz.
- Echinococcosis.
- Strongyloides.
How is the diagnosis made?
Only a pediatrician can determine the cause of red spots on the arms and legs of a child. You may also need a conclusiondermatologist, allergist and infectious disease specialist.
Diagnosis is carried out according to the following scheme:
- Collecting an anamnesis. The doctor specifies when the spots appeared, whether their color and shape changed. To make a diagnosis, it is also important to find out the nature of the accompanying symptoms, the presence of chronic pathologies, whether the onset of erythema was preceded by medication.
- During an external examination, the localization, prevalence, color, structure, size and nature of the spots are assessed. The pediatrician also assesses the general condition of the child.
Various laboratory tests are ordered to confirm a preliminary diagnosis:
- Clinical blood test allows you to assess the general condition of the body. Indicators of ESR and leukocytes make it possible to judge the nature of the pathological process.
- Blood biochemistry.
- ELISA for immunoglobulins G and E reveals the body's tendency to allergies.
- Blood test for parasite markers.
- Urine analysis (general). The study of the physicochemical characteristics of urine allows you to evaluate the functions of internal organs.
- Histological examination of the skin.
If necessary, an instrumental examination is scheduled:
- Dermatoscopy allows you to evaluate the affected area of the skin.
- Fluorescence microscopy.
- Transillumination.
- Scratching.
- Diascopy.
According to the results of the research, a conclusion is made and treatment is prescribed.
Therapy Methods
The treatment is based on the elimination of the causative agent of the disease, symptomswhich are red spots on the legs of a child. The most effective method of therapy is the use of drugs. They are selected individually based on the diagnosis, he alth, age and characteristics of the child's body.
- Antiviral drugs: "Anaferon for children", "Arbidol", "Cycloferon" fight various viruses and improve immunity.
- Antihistamines block histamine receptors, reduce redness, itching, and prevent and alleviate allergic reactions. Most often prescribed "Zodak", "Zirtek".
- Interferons have immunomodulatory antiviral activity. Increase the effectiveness of the immune response of the child's body to pathogenic organisms ("Genferon", "Viferon").
- Adsorbents reduce the toxic effects on the body. This helps to reduce inflammatory processes. Children are prescribed drugs such as Smecta, Enterosgel.
- Antifungal agents or antimycotics have antibacterial and antifungal activity against most pathogens. The most effective and safe are "Terbizil", "Nystatin", "Pimafucin".
As a therapy, a hypoallergenic diet, general UV therapy, acupuncture are prescribed.
Prevention
With adequate therapy and compliance with all the recommendations of the pediatrician, the prognosis of most diseases is favorable. Preventive measures will help to avoid the reappearance of unpleasant skin manifestations:
- Compliancehygiene.
- Child should wear clothes made from natural hypoallergenic fabrics.
- Remove from the diet any foods that can cause an allergic reaction.
- Use insect repellents in nature.
- Perform adequate and timely treatment of any disease.
- Get regular check-ups.
- In case of suspicious symptoms, do not self-medicate, but immediately contact a pediatrician.
