Dermatology for Children

Pediatric Dermatology

Graves Derma Care PC also welcomes children and teens. We believe that early detection and understanding the importance of having healthy skin in children resonates through life. During a visit, children, teen and their parents will have a consultation, receive the appropriate medical services if necessary along with the preventions of maintaining healthy skin.

Pediatric dermatology includes the examination, diagnosis and treatment of a variety of skin conditions such as: dermatitis; eczema; cradle cap; severe diaper rash; and psoriasis. At Graves Derma Care PC, you can feel confident that your child will receive personalized attention in the diagnosis and treatment of their dermatologic condition from birth through their teen years.

Graves Derma Care PC provides services for a variety of skin conditions specific to children, including: diagnosis and treatment of skin conditions. The most common conditions we treat are:

Contact (allergic) Dermatitis

Contact dermatitis is a reaction of the skin to contact with certain substances, caused by either irritants, or allergen, which trigger an allergic response. Common irritants include: soap and shampoo, detergent, saliva, food, lotions, metal, plants, cosmetics (after contact with an adult), medication, and latex. Although each child reacts differently, visible symptoms of contact dermatitis typically include redness, blistering and swelling of the skin, which may be accompanied by itching, scaling and temporary thickening of the skin. The point of contact usually exhibits the most severe symptoms.

Atopic Dermatitis (eczema)

Eczema in children is a common skin disorder. The location of affected skin usually varies according to the age of the child. In younger patients and infants, the rash presents on the face, outside of the elbows, and the knees. As a child ages, the hands and feet, arms, insides of the elbows and the back of the knees are the most affected.  This skin disorder is not contagious. Symptoms will differ for each child, and may include: redness, swelling and dry, scaly skin; small bumps that open and weep when scratched; and thickening of the skin over time. Based on the child’s age, the extent of the eczema and other factors, a treatment plan will be established to reduce the itching and irritation, moisturize the areas, and prevent infection. Typically an ointment or lotion will be prescribed.

Seborrheic Dermatitis (cradle cap)

Seborrheic dermatitis is a condition affecting babies generally under the age of one year, which is typically characterized by fine, dry or greasy white scales that form crusts, that in addition to occurring on the scalp (cradle cap), also is found on the face, neck, trunk and diaper area. The skin underneath the scaly area may appear red, but usually is not accompanied by itching. The cause of Seborrheic dermatitis has not yet been determined, and although treatments are effective in clearing the condition, this rash has the potential to re-occur. Cradle cap is a unique looking rash and is customarily easily diagnosed with a basic physical examination.

Diaper Dermatitis (diaper rash)

Diaper dermatitis affects infants between 9 and 12 months, but may be seen in babies as young as 2 months. It is a skin rash that occurs in the diaper area. Although symptoms vary among children and the type of diaper dermatitis, the most common symptom of the condition is a red, shiny, scaling rash which in extreme cases may also have ulcerated spots. Depending on the cause of the rash, it typically appears either in the folds and creases of the thighs and diaper area, or in the case of contact diaper dermatitis, on the buttocks extending up to the stomach. There are several potential major causes of diaper dermatitis, including: irritation from urine and feces; a yeast infection (Candida) in the diaper area; and Seborrheic diaper dermatitis, a chronic pinkish rash skin condition that most commonly causes cradle cap but can evidence on the face, scalp, or neck simultaneously.