Children are more susceptible to fungal skin infections in hot weather due to increased sweating, so parents need to pay attention to personal hygiene and the living environment to limit the growth and spread of fungi.
According to Dr. Vu Thi Thuy Trang, a specialist in Dermatology and Cosmetic Dermatology at Tam Anh General Hospital in Ho Chi Minh City, fungal skin infections are common skin diseases in children over 2 years old. However, the disease can also occur in infants and adults.
Fungal skin infections are common, with a relatively high incidence rate, especially during hot weather like the present. High temperatures and excessive sweating create a favorable environment for fungal spores to thrive, causing fungal skin infections in areas with exposed skin and large folds such as between the fingers and toes. Furthermore, poor personal hygiene, wearing tight clothing, overuse of soap, and weakened immunity also contribute to the development of fungal skin infections. Children can also contract fungal infections from sharing items with infected individuals or contact with pets carrying the fungus.
If a child has a fungal skin infection, one or more circular or oval, or arc-shaped, erythematous patches with well-defined borders and small blisters along the edges will appear on the skin. These patches tend to heal in the center but gradually spread. Sometimes, due to the child rubbing or scratching, or the application of inappropriate medication by parents, secondary bacterial infections may occur, resulting in skin erosions, swelling, pus formation, scabbing, or blurred borders.
In addition, fungal infections can also appear on the scalp with symptoms such as small, scaly patches with no defined boundaries, swelling, pustules forming a honeycomb pattern, or small, blister-like areas containing pus.
According to MSc. Dr. Vu Thi Thuy Trang, parents should note the following to prevent illness in children:
Keep your baby's body dry by bathing them regularly and thoroughly drying them, especially between their fingers and toes and in skin folds.
Dress your child in loose, breathable clothing and put on slippers, even at home. Change their socks and underwear when they sweat a lot. Do not let your child share clothes or towels with others.
Regularly clean children's personal items and toys such as combs, towels, blankets, bed sheets, etc.
Trim the child's nails to prevent scratching, which can spread the fungal infection to other areas of the skin.
Wash children's hands with soap after playing with pets and after using the toilet.
If someone in the family has a fungal skin infection , immediate treatment is necessary, and the patient's belongings should be sanitized.
Keeping children's bodies clean and dry is a way to prevent fungal skin infections. Photo: Freepik
Dr. Thuy Trang advises that when a child's skin develops circular or arc-shaped erythematous rashes with many blisters and scales, parents should take their child to a dermatologist or cosmetic skin specialist. The child will be examined and tested for fungal infection before medication is prescribed.
When using topical antifungal medication, parents should wash their hands thoroughly before and after applying the medication to their child. Apply a sufficient amount to the affected skin area, extending 2-3 cm beyond the edges, twice a day. After the rash has completely cleared, continue applying the medication for 1-2 weeks. Antifungal medications can cause some side effects; therefore, parents should absolutely not buy medication for their children without consulting a doctor. Furthermore, if parents notice any unusual symptoms in their child, they should quickly take the child to the hospital for timely examination.
The duration of treatment for fungal skin infections can vary depending on the location of the infection. For smooth skin, topical medication alone may be sufficient for 2-4 weeks. However, scalp ringworm is more difficult to treat and requires a combination of topical and oral medications for 4-8 weeks, or even longer.
Nguyen Van
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