My child is scratching excessively

 

My child is scratching excessively Scabies - If no past history of atopic eczema scabies is highly likely. Look in usual hot spots for burrows, web spaces, wrists, elbows. Ask if anyone else in the family is itchy. In very young babies sometimes pustules on palms and soles. Atopic eczema - Usually FH of asthma, eczema or hay fever, rash at front of elbows and behind knees, often secondary infection.  Consultations in Dermatology Papular urticaria - Sudden onset of raised itchy papules in exposed areas if fleas or covered areas if bed bugs. Exposure to pets or sand flies in sand pit. May also be a presentation of scabies. Look for burrow in the roof of the papule.  Consultations in Dermatology View the video of this topic

Itchy rash all over

 

I have an itchy rash all over. If acute then consider a drug eruption particularly hives (urticaria). It will be red and non scaly but if red and scaly then consider atopic eczema, scabies and in the elderly a red scaly drug rash , metabolic problem (renal or liver failure) or just aged, sun damaged dry skin in the elderly. Scabies - Itch is all over but spares the face. Check the classic web spaces, wrists, elbows for burrows. If several people in the same family are all itchy it is scabies until proven otherwise. Lyclear cream or oral Ivermectin. Urticaria - Lesions come and go every few hours. Not fixed. Usually antibiotics, viral infections or food allergy for acute presentations. Autoimmune or physical urticaria if chronic. Acute drug reaction - May be urticarial or erythema multiforme or morbilliform but itch only if urticarial. Generalised and not systemically unwell. Acute flare of Atopic Eczema - Usually history of atopic eczema. May be infected. Stress a common precipitant. Chronic dry skin - Elderly with chronic already sun damaged skin. Moisturise, Soap substitutes. Rare- underlying Kidney or Liver problems, Polycythaemia vera - Renal or Liver failure leads to generalised itch and excoriations. View the video of this topic