Two-year-old boy develops sores all over his body after bathing with herbal medicine.

According to information from the Central Dermatology Hospital, doctors at the hospital are treating a child with severe psoriasis caused by incorrect home treatment.

Specifically, a 23-month-old boy in Nghe An was admitted to the hospital with his entire body covered in sores and scabs covering his head. His mother said that from the age of 3 months, he had shown signs of itching and red skin with tiny bumps. Initially, the skin lesions were on his neck and back, then spread throughout his body, causing the child to cry frequently, have trouble sleeping, and experience intense itching.

The child is currently receiving treatment at the National Dermatology Hospital. Photo: Thu Trang.

The family used various medicinal leaves for bathing and applied unknown ointments to the child's skin, but there was no improvement.

Over the past three months, the condition has worsened. The child's head is red and scaly, forming patches of skin. The child's hands, feet, and face also show dense red patches with pus-filled sores, prompting a medical examination.

Here, doctors diagnosed the child with severe psoriasis, recommending topical medication. After one day in the hospital, the child's condition improved; the skin lesions were less red and began to flake off.

However, according to the doctors, the child still needs continued monitoring of their response to medication to determine whether long-term treatment is necessary.

Previously, doctors at the Pediatrics Department of Cao Bang Provincial General Hospital also admitted a 4-month-old patient with widespread skin inflammation, ulcers, redness, erosion, bleeding, and oozing.

According to family members, when the baby was one month old, tiny rashes appeared on her body. They used boiled and cooled leaves to bathe her. After the bath, a rash spread all over her body. The family continued to apply medication, but it didn't help. After examination and tests, the child was diagnosed with sepsis following bathing with herbal leaves.

Be cautious when bathing children with herbal remedies.

In fact, using various types of leaves to boil water for bathing newborns is a very common folk practice. However, bathing babies with leaves requires careful consideration and caution due to the potential for unforeseen risks.

Experts advise caution when bathing children with herbal remedies. (Illustrative image.)

According to Dr. Hoang Thi Phuong, Head of the Day Inpatient Treatment Department at the Central Dermatology Hospital, dermatologists do not recommend patients bathe with plant leaves but instead use moisturizing shower gels or soaps to soften the skin. Plant leaves may contain irritating ingredients that cause the skin to become redder, which is one of the factors that can worsen the condition.

For young children, especially newborns, the skin is very thin and its structure is not yet stable, making it very susceptible to damage, allergies, and infections. Most skin conditions in newborns are caused by bacteria from the outside. Meanwhile, leaves growing in bushes, along roadsides, and in fields are often contaminated with bacteria, or even pesticides, which are difficult to wash away, even with boiling, as the pathogens may not be completely eliminated.

Especially during hot weather, improper bathing with herbal leaves can lead to secondary infections in children, potentially causing sepsis and endangering their lives.

According to doctors, not all cases of bathing with herbal leaves cause skin reactions. Some folk remedies for bathing children, such as bathing with bitter gourd, fresh tea leaves, lemon, or other types of leaves, are very good for children.

However, not all infants tolerate these herbal and fruit-based infusions. Therefore, it's best to cleanse the baby's skin daily with warm water or antibacterial bath soaps with an appropriate pH level to avoid irritation or allergies.

To avoid harming children during bathing, experts advise against using herbal bathwater indiscriminately. If you notice any unusual red rashes on your child's skin that are spreading, you should take them to a medical facility for examination and treatment to prevent potential complications.

Source: https://giadinh.suckhoedoisong.vn/be-trai-lo-loet-toan-than-vi-thoi-quen-dieu-tri-benh-sai-cach-nhieu-nguoi-hay-mac-phai-172241026194001476.htm