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Paediatric Dermatology

Children's skin is not simply adult skin in miniature. Conditions present differently, treatment must be matched to age and site, and the effect on sleep and family life is often as important as the rash itself.

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At a glance

Who it is for: Infants, children and adolescents — from newborns onwards.
Common reasons to attend: Eczema, birthmarks, nappy rash, viral skin infections, warts, molluscum, acne in adolescence and scalp conditions.
Why it differs: Treatment strength, formulation and site all need adjusting for a child's age and skin. What is appropriate for an adult may not be for a toddler.
Parents included: Parents stay with the child throughout, and the plan is explained so it can be carried out confidently at home.
Languages: Consultations available in English and Mandarin.

What it is

Dermatology for children

Paediatric dermatology covers skin, hair and nail conditions in infants, children and adolescents. Some conditions occur almost exclusively in childhood; others occur at all ages but look and behave differently in a child.

Treatment requires particular care. Children have a larger skin surface area relative to their body weight, thinner skin at certain sites, and different tolerances. The strength of a topical treatment, its formulation, and where it may safely be used are all adjusted accordingly.

There is also a practical dimension. A treatment plan only works if a parent can realistically carry it out — several times a day, on a child who may not cooperate, alongside everything else. Explaining the plan properly is part of the treatment.

Sleep matters as much as skinFor conditions such as eczema, disturbed sleep affects the child's mood, concentration and growth — and the whole household's wellbeing. Improving sleep is a legitimate treatment goal in its own right, not a secondary benefit.

What we see

Common childhood skin conditions

Some of the most frequent reasons children are brought to a dermatologist.

👶

Infants and newborns

Infantile eczema, often affecting the cheeks and scalp
Cradle cap and seborrhoeic dermatitis
Nappy rash and its complications
Milia and neonatal rashes
Birthmarks of various types

🌸

Birthmarks and vascular lesions

Infantile haemangiomas — the “strawberry” birthmark
Port-wine stains and other vascular malformations
Congenital melanocytic naevi
Dermal melanocytosis
Assessment of which need treatment and which do not

🦠

Inflammatory conditions

Atopic dermatitis (eczema)
Contact dermatitis
Psoriasis in childhood
Keratosis pilaris
Papular urticaria and insect bite reactions

🧿

Infections

Molluscum contagiosum
Viral warts
Impetigo and other bacterial infections
Fungal infections including scalp ringworm
Hand, foot and mouth disease and other viral rashes

👩

Adolescents

Acne — and early treatment to limit scarring
Excess sweating
Pigmentary changes
Hair and scalp conditions
Skin concerns affecting confidence

👥

Hair and scalp

Alopecia areata
Scalp ringworm (tinea capitis)
Head lice
Scalp psoriasis and seborrhoeic dermatitis
Hair loss with other causes

Birthmarks

When a birthmark needs attention

Most birthmarks are harmless and many need no treatment at all. The purpose of assessment is to identify which type is present and whether it falls into a group where earlier action is worthwhile.

Infantile haemangiomas are the most common benign growths of infancy, affecting around 4–5% of babies. They are usually not present at birth, appearing in the first one to three weeks, growing most rapidly in the first few months, then slowly regressing — around 90% have finished regressing by about four years of age.

Most require only observation. However, prompt assessment is advised if a haemangioma is:

On the lip, or around the eye
Anywhere on the face or the front of the neck
In the nappy area
Large, or growing rapidly, at any site
Showing broken skin, ulceration or pain
Present in numbers — multiple haemangiomas warrant further checks

Timing matters with haemangiomasWhere treatment is indicated, it is generally more effective when started early during the growth phase. If you are uncertain whether your baby's birthmark needs review, it is better to have it looked at sooner rather than waiting to see what happens.

Practical help at home

Caring for a child's skin

Simple measures that make treatment easier and more effective.

Helpful

Apply emollient generously and often for dry or eczematous skin
Keep baths short and lukewarm rather than hot
Use fragrance-free, soap-free cleansers
Keep fingernails short to limit scratch damage
Treat a flare properly and early rather than waiting for it to worsen
Bring photographs if the rash comes and goes

Unhelpful

Undertreating a flare through concern about steroid creams
Starting exclusion diets without medical advice
Using adult-strength preparations on a young child
Scrubbing or vigorously towel-drying sensitive skin
Sharing towels or flannels when there is a skin infection
Waiting months before having a rapidly growing birthmark assessed

Seeking help

When to bring your child in

Consider an appointment if:

A rash is not settling with treatment from your GP or pharmacy
Your child's sleep is disturbed by itching
Eczema flares frequently or never fully clears
A birthmark is growing rapidly, ulcerating, or is at one of the sites listed above
Skin infections recur
A rash is affecting your child's confidence or school life
You would simply like a diagnosis confirmed

Seek urgent medical attention ifyour child has a rash together with fever and appears unwell, a rapidly spreading painful rash, a rash that does not fade when pressed, or widespread blistering. Call 995 or attend a children's emergency department.

Dr Chen Qiping

Consultant Dermatologist · MBBS, MRCP (UK), M.Sc, FAMS (Dermatology)

Dr Chen practises paediatric as well as adult dermatology, and is a member of the Asian Society of Paediatric Dermatology and the International Society of Paediatric Dermatology. Consultations are available in English and Mandarin.

Full profile →

Common questions

Paediatric dermatology — frequently asked questions

At what age can a child see a dermatologist?

At any age, including newborns. Skin conditions occur throughout infancy and childhood, and some — such as certain birthmarks — are best assessed early because treatment options may be more effective when started sooner.

Will my baby grow out of their eczema?

Many children do improve substantially. Atopic dermatitis usually starts in infancy and affects up to 20% of children, with around 80% of affected children developing it before the age of six. It often settles in late childhood or adolescence, though a proportion continue to have it as adults. Good control in the meantime matters for sleep, comfort and quality of life for the whole family.

Are topical steroids safe for children?

Used appropriately they are safe and effective, and they are used routinely in paediatric practice. The principles are to match the strength to the child's age, the severity and the body site — milder preparations on the face and thin skin — and to treat a flare properly rather than applying inadequate amounts for prolonged periods. Concern about steroids leading to undertreatment is a common and avoidable problem.

What should I do about my baby's birthmark?

It depends on the type. Infantile haemangiomas typically appear in the first weeks of life, grow rapidly for a period, then slowly regress. Most need no treatment. However, assessment is advised promptly if a haemangioma is on the lip, around the eye, on the face or front of the neck, in the nappy area, is large or growing rapidly, or has broken skin — because treatment is generally more effective when started early. Other types of birthmark have different considerations.

Is molluscum contagiosum something to worry about?

It is a common, harmless viral skin infection of childhood that spreads by contact. It resolves on its own, though this can take many months. Treatment is not always necessary, and the decision usually depends on the number of lesions, whether they are inflamed or itchy, and their effect on the child. It is worth having the diagnosis confirmed rather than assumed.

How do you make a consultation easier for an anxious child?

Children are given time to settle, examination is explained before it happens, and parents stay with them throughout. Nothing uncomfortable is done without discussion first. It helps if you can explain beforehand, in simple terms, that the doctor will look at their skin.

References

DermNet. Skin conditions in children. dermnetnz.org
Society for Pediatric Dermatology. Patient Perspectives handouts — Infantile Hemangiomas. pedsderm.net
Australasian College of Dermatologists. Infantile Haemangiomas. dermcoll.edu.au
Primary Care Dermatology Society. Birthmarks — an overview. pcds.org.uk

Page last reviewed: 28 July 2026.

Important — This page is general information about a skin condition and is not medical advice. It cannot take the place of an individual consultation, examination and diagnosis. Treatment options, their suitability and their possible side effects should be discussed with a qualified doctor who has assessed your skin. Individual results vary. If you have concerns about your skin, please arrange a consultation.

Concerned about your child's skin?

Arrange a consultation with Dr Chen Qiping at our Collyer Quay clinic — two minutes' walk from Raffles Place MRT. Consultations in English and Mandarin.

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