Common Skin Infections in Children

Common skin infections in children usually start small, with a patch of redness, swelling, or irritation, and then grow larger or more painful over a day or two. Children pick up scrapes, bug bites, and small cuts constantly, and most will heal on their own without any trouble.

In Alaska, our pediatric team commonly sees the following skin infections in children:

Impetigo, a bacterial infection that often appears around the nose and mouth

Cellulitis, a deeper bacterial infection that causes redness and swelling

Ringworm, a fungal infection that creates a ring-shaped rash

Infected cuts or scrapes that have not healed properly

Staph infections, including boils or infected pimples

Eczema that has become infected from frequent scratching

Skin Infection Symptoms in Children

Skin infection symptoms can look different depending on your child's age. Recognizing symptoms early helps prevent the infection from spreading and makes treatment much easier for your child.

Infants and toddlers may have:

• Redness or warmth around a diaper area, folds of skin, or a healing scrape

• Fussiness, poor feeding, or trouble sleeping

• A rash that spreads or does not respond to usual diaper cream

• Blisters, crusting, or oozing patches

School-age children, preteens, and teens may have:

• A cut, scrape, or bug bite that becomes more painful, swollen, or warm instead of healing

• Round, itchy, scaly patches, often from ringworm picked up at school, daycare, or sports practice

• Pus-filled bumps or boils, sometimes from shared sports equipment or locker rooms

• Redness spreading outward from a wound, sometimes with faint red streaking

Skin Infection Treatment for Children

Skin infection treatment depends on what is causing the infection and how far it has spread. After examining the area, our pediatric providers will recommend the option that best fits your child's specific situation, which may include:

• A topical antibiotic ointment for mild bacterial infections such as impetigo

• An antifungal cream for ringworm or other fungal infections

• An oral antibiotic if the infection is widespread or has not responded to a topical treatment

• Draining or cleaning a wound that has become infected

• Guidance on hygiene habits, such as keeping the area clean and covered, to help the infection heal and keep it from spreading to other family members

Most skin infections improve within a few days once the right treatment is started. Our team will also let you know what to watch for at home and when to check back in if the area is not improving as expected.

Why Your Child Has a Skin Infection

Skin infections happen because young skin is thinner, more delicate, and more likely to be scratched, bitten, or scraped than adult skin. Alaska's dry indoor heat in the winter and time spent outdoors in the summer can contribute to cracked or irritated skin that lets germs in more easily. Knowing the difference between a normal healing scrape and a true infection is one of the most important things Alaska parents can do to protect their child's skin health and know when it’s time to seek medical care.

When to Visit a Children's Urgent Care for Skin Infections in Alaska

Many mild skin infections can be evaluated through a telemedicine visit at our urgent care for skin infections. During a video visit, our pediatric providers can look closely at the affected area, ask about your child's symptoms and history, and often prescribe a topical or oral treatment through your local pharmacy. This works well for early impetigo, mild ringworm, and rashes that are not accompanied by significant swelling or a high fever.

Telemedicine visits are recommended when:

• You want a provider to look at your child's rash, sore, or bite and assess whether it looks infected

• Your child has a mild rash, ringworm patch, or minor sore that does not involve significant swelling or fever

• You need guidance on cleaning a wound, applying a topical treatment, or preventing a rash from spreading to other family members

• You live in a rural or remote part of Alaska and cannot easily reach our clinic in Anchorage

In-person visits are recommended when:

• A provider needs to touch and closely examine the affected skin, not just view it on camera

• The area is significantly swollen, warm to the touch, draining fluid, or spreading quickly

• A wound needs to be cleaned, drained, or closely examined by hand

• A fever develops alongside the rash, sore, or wound

Our providers can determine on video whether your child needs to come in, so you never have to guess. Telemedicine visits are available statewide, from Anchorage to the smallest rural communities across Alaska, with providers available daily from 8 a.m. to midnight.

Why Choose Alaska Children's Urgent Care and Outreach?

If your child has a rash, sore, or wound that is not healing the way it should, do not wait for it to get worse. Treatment at our urgent care is entirely child-friendly. Our pediatric team offers:

• Same-day appointments

• Providers who specialize in pediatrics

• Telemedicine access from anywhere in Alaska

• A calm, family-centered environment

Every child is valued, and every visit is designed to support both the child and the parent as we work through allergy symptoms together.

Medical Disclaimer: This information is for educational purposes and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.

Frequently Asked Questions