My Three-Year-Old Has Itchy Skin

If your child has itchy, irritated skin, it could be a simple reaction to a change in the weather, or it could be a sign of a more serious infection or allergic reaction. When your 3-year-old develops an itchy rash, you can try treating the outbreak at home for a few days before seeking out a doctor's opinion, as long as the rash is not causing severe pain or discomfort, according to Skinsight 1.

Causes

If your 3-year-old suddenly develops itchy skin, he may just be experiencing common skin dryness. He also could have a parasitic infection, such as scabies, or a viral infection, such as viral exanthem. Itchy skin can also be a sign of chicken pox or an allergic reaction, such as hives or eczema, to airborne allergens. If your child suddenly has an itchy rash, take him to his pediatrician for proper diagnosis.

Appearance

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Your 3-year-old's itchy skin may be accompanied by skin redness, flaking or bumps that look like hives or chicken pox marks. If you take your child to a doctor, the doctor may be able to determine the cause of the skin itchiness and redness just by looking at your child's skin.

Treatments

The best treatment for a child's itchy skin depends on the cause of the skin irritation. If your child has seasonal dry skin, you can use an over-the-counter moisturizer to soothe and relieve itchiness. If your child has a parasitic infection in her skin, her doctor will prescribe a prescription topical cream. To treat an allergic reaction that is causing your child to develop itchy skin, her doctor may prescribe anti-allergy medications.

Prevention

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If your 3-year-old is experiencing itchy skin as a reaction to touching a poisonous plant, such as poison ivy, removing the plant from his environment can help prevent future outbreaks. Dress your child in long sleeves and pants to protect his skin from poisonous plants while he is outside.

If bug bites, such as mosquito bites, are causing your child to have itchy skin, apply insect repellent to his skin before he goes outside to prevent him from getting more itchy bites.

Expert Insight

Pediatrician Bob Sears recommends preventing your child from scratching her skin when it's itchy to prevent spreading infection and increasing irritation. Keep your child's fingernails short to prevent scratching. Make sure your child has clean fingernails. Dirt and bacteria trapped under fingernails can lead to infection if the bacteria comes into contact with the skin during scratching. Keep your child dressed in long sleeves and pants to cover her itchy skin and prevent scratching. Consider using a topical over-the-counter cortisone cream to treat itchy skin 1.