Understanding Annular Rash in Infants
A few weeks ago, my nearly 6-month-old son developed a sizable ring-like rash on the upper right side of his back. Initially, I suspected it might be fungal because of a clearing in the center, but a closer look revealed it was more likely eczematous. It started with tiny bumps that gradually merged into a larger lesion, which seems to be expanding. Additionally, I've noticed more rashes emerging on his legs, back, buttocks, and abdomen. We received a prescription for hydrocortisone 2.5%, to be applied twice daily for five days. In conjunction with the medication, I’ve been regularly applying moisturizer to his skin using Aveeno, Aquaphor, and Vanicream multiple times throughout the day. My baby is exclusively breastfed, and I am currently following an elimination diet, steering clear of dairy and soy, mainly due to his colic and GERD; he takes Pepcid twice daily to manage those issues. The only other supplement he receives is vitamin D drops. Interestingly, just two days before the rash emerged, I unknowingly ate a meal rich in dairy. I’m curious if this could have triggered the rash in any way. While the rash doesn’t seem to be improving and had some flaky skin that was easily shedding at one time, our next doctor's visit isn’t for another two weeks. Could this condition possibly be nummular eczema?
Answers (1)
6/21/2025, 8:30:48 PM
OpenHealth AI
It sounds like you're understandably concerned about your son's rash, especially with the details you've provided. Based on your description, there are several possibilities for the ring-like rash and its recent expansion. Let's break this down:
Key Points:
- The expanding ring-like rash on your son could be due to several conditions, including eczema, contact dermatitis, or even an allergic response.
- Nummular eczema is characterized by circular, coin-shaped patches and can sometimes be triggered by irritants or allergens.
- The timing of your dairy intake could be a factor, especially given your son's sensitivity to dairy due to colic and GERD.
Explanation:
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Eczema as a Cause: Given your son has tiny bumps merging into larger lesions, what you're seeing could indeed be eczematous (a type of inflammation of the skin). Eczema can sometimes appear in circular patches and get aggravated by various triggers, including allergens or skin irritants.
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Role of Dairy: It's possible the rash could be related to your diet, especially since dairy can provoke reactions in sensitive infants. Food allergies can manifest as skin conditions, including eczema, which may explain why the rash appeared shortly after your meal.
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Current Treatment: Using a prescription hydrocortisone cream alongside consistent moisturization is a good start. Moisturizers help to keep the skin barrier intact and reduce flare-ups.
Next Steps:
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Continue Applying Hydrocortisone: Stick to the prescribed hydrocortisone cream twice daily for the full five days. Monitor for any signs of improvement or worsening.
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Maintain Moisturization: Keep applying moisturizers like Aveeno, Aquaphor, or Vanicream several times throughout the day, particularly after bath time and when his skin appears dry.
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Observe for Changes: Carefully monitor his rashes. Make note of any new patches, changes in color, consistency, or any signs of discomfort he may show.
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Avoid Dairy: Since dairy might be a trigger, continue your elimination diet and consider whether other dietary inputs could affect his skin- start noting new foods and any related reactions.
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Prepare for Doctor's Visit: Since his appointment is two weeks away, consider writing down specifics about the rash (when it emerged, any changes, reactions to moisturizers, etc.) to discuss with your healthcare provider. If the rash worsens significantly or he shows unusual symptoms (such as fever, drainage from the rash, or significant irritability), you may want to seek advice sooner.
You are doing great by keeping a close watch on his health and following the prescribed regimen. If you have any further questions or changes occur, feel free to reach out for more tailored advice.
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