7 Reasons To Take Your Child To Pediatric Dermatologist

Young children have sensitive skin that needs extra care and attention. As a parent you need to be vigilant and address even the slightest symptoms as early as you can. While a majority of issues can be resolved with a pediatric visit, you may need to see a pediatric dermatologist in some circumstances. As the name suggests, a pediatric dermatologist is a practitioner who specializes in skin conditions in children. Since children are different from adults, these practitioners take a different approach for diagnosing and treating them.

A pediatric dermatologist can confirm and treat various types of problems with the skin, hair and nails that commonly occur in young patients. Furthermore, they can guide you about the apt preventive measures that you can take to avoid skin conditions in children in the first place. Also, they help you choosing mild skin care products that are likely to work the best for the child. If you are still in doubt whether to visit a pediatric dermatologist, here are some good reasons that you should do it.

1. Your child has a persistent rash

Skin rashes are a common occurrence in young children but they can make them very uncomfortable. This is one condition that should be given medical attention sooner rather than later because it usually gets worse if not treated in time. A skin rash may be the result of a deep-seated disease as well, which is the reason that you should not ignore it. Check out with an expert early if the rash is accompanied by redness, itching and fever.

2. You notice cracks or lesions on the skin

Another warning sign that warrants an immediate visit to a specialist is when you notice appearance of cracks or lesions on the child’s skin. These could be an early indication of chronic conditions such as eczema or psoriasis. Check the joints and skin folds thoroughly and on a regular basis because timely action can make these conditions much easier to resolve.

3. The child has a birthmark, mole or wart

A birthmark, wart or mole on the child’s skin may also need medical attention. Pediatric Dermatologists in Philadelphia recommend that parents should be watchful about such marks and warts and visit a clinic if they observe any changes in their appearance. Even if they do not seem suspicious, such appearances should be evaluated by a specialist once in a while. They could be cancerous in some rare cases, so it is better to be on the safer side.

4. You notice skin discoloration or pigmentation

Skin discoloration or pigmentation is another concern that parents should not overlook. Even if you notice slight appearances, make sure that you have it checked by a pediatric dermatologist. These patches may appear in skin folds to begin with; so it is good to watch out for them as early detection is the key to prevent major problems.

5. There are some suspicious changes in scalp conditions

Skin problems are not the only reason that you should take your child to specialist. If you notice some changes in the scalp condition, seek immediate medical attention. Watch out for symptoms such as itchiness, flakiness, excess oiliness and formation of scales. The dermatologist will probably recommend special pediatric hair care products for resolving the condition.

6. You see changes in shape or structure of nails

Another concern that require immediate visit to a pediatric dermatologist is any change in the shape or structure of nails. Brittleness and appearance of dark spots on the nails can indicate nutritional deficiencies and underlying health conditions. It is better to be vigilant and seek help if you notice any such symptoms.

7. You may seek preventive advice as well

Besides seeing the doctor in case of medical emergencies and symptoms, parents of young children should opt for regular visits to get preventive advice as well. This is all the more important if there are some prevailing skin problems in the family because the child may come across a hereditary condition. A pediatric skin specialist can also guide you about checking the symptoms and using the best skin care products for the child. You can ask them about the daily skin care routine for the child as well.

Regular visits to a skin specialist for children are as essential as dental and ophthalmological appointments. As a parent, you should ensure that not even the slightest symptoms are ignored because they may eventually become major issues. Also, preventive care and use of right products is equally important.