Common Childhood Diseases

What is Slapped Cheek Syndrome?

Slapped Cheek Syndrome is a type of viral infection (parvovirus B19) which is common in children.

• The most common symptom is the appearance of a typical bright red rash on the cheeks. This is how the condition got its name
• Most children will not need treatment as slapped cheek syndrome is usually a very mild condition that passes in a few days. Occasionally it can last up to four or five weeks
• It is passed from person to person through contact with infected fluid from the nose and throat, ie. by coughs, sneezes, shared toys etc
• It’s difficult to prevent the spread of the virus as people are most affected before their symptoms begin, so they are unaware they are infected.

What is Impetigo?

Impetigo is a highly transmitted skin infection which causes sores and blisters. It’s very common and affects mainly children. There are two types:

• Non-bullous impetigo, which affects the skin around the nose and mouth, sores develop quickly and then burst to leave a yellow-brown crust
• Bullous impetigo, which typically affects the central part of the body between the waist and neck, causing fluid-filled blisters to develop that burst after a few days to leave a yellow crust.

Impetigo usually gets better on its own, without the need for treatment, within two to three weeks. However, antibiotic creams or tablets are usually recommended because the infection spreads easily. To minimise the risk of impetigo spreading to other people or other areas of the body, you need to ensure your child is:

• not touching the sores whenever possible
• washing their hands regularly
• not sharing flannels, sheets or towels
• staying away from school, nursery or playgroup until the sores have dried up or treatment has been continuing for at least 48 hours.

What is Ringworm?

Ringworm is a common and highly infectious skin infection that causes a ring-like red rash on the skin

• Ringworm is caused by fungal infections of the skin, hair and nails
• Ringworm is caught by direct skin to skin contact of an infected person or animal (cat or dog)
• The infectious period lasts for as long as the infection is present, it may be from months to years if untreated
• Skin ringworm can be treated by applying a cream prescribed by a doctor or purchased at the chemist for a period of 2 to 4 weeks
• Tablets or syrup are needed to treat nail and scalp infections.
• It’s really important, where possible, to prevent spreading the infection. You should avoid sharing towels, bedding or clothes with anyone diagnosed with ringworm
• Children should be encouraged to have high standards of hygiene and wash their hands frequently. If your child has ringworm, they do not need to stay off school. However, you should inform the school your child has the condition.

What is Chicken Pox?

Chickenpox is a mild and common childhood illness that most children catch at some point.

• Chickenpox is infectious from one to two days before the rash starts, until all the blisters have crusted over (usually five to six days after the start of the rash) your child will probably feel pretty gloomy and irritable while they have it
• Your child may have a fever for the first few days of the illness and the spots can be very itchy
• The rash usually appears on the trunk developing into clear blisters which become puss filled and then dry to a crust
• Spread is by direct person to person contact or contact with infected articles such as clothing and bedding
• The incubation period for chickenpox is 2 to 3 weeks, usually about 15 to 18 days. Cases are infectious just before the onset of the rash, until five days after the first crop of blisters
• There is no specific treatment for chickenpox, but there are pharmacy preparations that can alleviate symptoms
• These include paracetamol to relieve fever, and calamine lotion and cooling gels to ease itching
• In most children, the blisters crust up and fall off naturally within one to two weeks.

What is Hand, Foot and Mouth?

Hand, foot and mouth disease is a viral infection that can affect young children

• It is characterised by blisters in the mouth and on the palms and soles, but not elsewhere on the body. These spots can last up to 10 days
• Children may have a high temperature and a poor appetite due to the spots in their mouth
• Spread is by direct contact with poo, infected fluid from the nose and throat, ie. by coughs, sneezes, of an infected person
• The incubation period is 3 to 5 days and a person will be infectious during the acute illness and for some time after recovery, as the virus may persist in the faeces for some weeks
• This virus is in no way related to animal foot and mouth disease.

What is Scabies?

Scabies is a skin condition caused by a mite that burrows under the skin causing an allergic reaction, which results in severe itching

• Although mostly found on the hands, the mites can be at a number of sites but they are too small to be seen with the naked eye. A rash may appear anywhere on the body but it is particularly common on the wrists, waist, and ankles
• In children the head, neck, palms and soles may be affected
• Itching may not start until 2 to 6 weeks after infestation for people who have not had scabies before, or between 1 to 4 days after infestation for those that have
• It is passed from person to person through direct, skin to skin contact such as holding hand
• Scabies remains infectious until treate
• You will need to see a doctor.

Our patients matter

Mersey Care NHS Foundation Trust listens and responds to patients and their carers to help improve the services we deliver.

If you have any comments, compliments or concerns you can speak with a member of staff or contact our Patient Advice and Liaison Service (PALS) and Complaints Team.

Telephone: 0151 471 2377
Freephone: 0800 328 2941
Email: palsandcomplaints@merseycare.nhs.uk

Mersey Care NHS Foundation Trust
V7 Building, Kings Business Park, Prescot L34 1PJ
August 2021​​​​​​​