08/22/2026
Join Dr. Aleta Simmons on August 22 at 10:30 am CST for our Back-to-School Skin Health Webinar, where we'll discuss common skin concerns parents may encounter as children return to school, sports, and extracurricular activities.
Your child comes home with red, itchy, irritated skin.
You might immediately wonder: Is it eczema? Heat rash? An allergy? Or an infection?
Many skin conditions can look similar at first, but the cause and the appropriate treatment can be very different.
Eczema commonly causes dry, itchy, inflamed skin and often appears in areas such as the creases of the elbows and behind the knees.
Heat rash can develop when sweat becomes trapped in the skin, causing small bumps or irritation, particularly during hot and humid weather.
Contact dermatitis occurs when the skin reacts to substances it comes into contact with, such as certain fabrics, soaps, detergents, or other irritants.
Skin infections may have different characteristics and can sometimes spread, making proper diagnosis and treatment important.
This is why treating every rash the same way isn't always the best approach.
Pay attention to:
How quickly the rash appeared
Where it is located
Whether it is itchy, painful, or spreading
Whether there is swelling, drainage, or crusting
Whether it keeps coming back
Whether it improves with basic care
If you're unsure what's causing a persistent skin problem, a dermatologist can help determine the cause and recommend appropriate treatment.