What is sand dermatitis, what are the symptoms and how to treat it?

Many playgrounds have special sand piles for children to play in, and children like them very much. However, what is frustrating is that after playing with sand, children often have small pink bumps on the back of their hands and wrists. So what should we do if they get sand dermatitis?

【Symptoms】 Pale pink papules the size of rice grains

"In this season, sand dermatitis is more common, mostly occurring on the arms, and is also called childhood papular dermatitis." DR Xu said that most of the patients with sand dermatitis are boys. It is common to see children with skin-colored or light red papules on the back of their hands, wrists, forearms or knees. These papules are about the size of rice grains, round, smooth, and densely clustered. There are often isolated scattered rashes at the edges of the dense papules, which are symmetrically distributed and itchy.

After a child repeatedly scratches, the skin will become thickened, rough, and flaky. This change is called "sand dermatitis", which is also medically known as "frictional lichenoid rash" or "childhood papular dermatitis".

Before the onset of the disease, most children have a history of contact with sand and soil, such as playing in parks, beaches, etc., or have come into contact with objects with rough surfaces, such as rough carpets and mats. In addition, it can also happen if children play with water in fish tanks or water for raising turtles, or if their sleeves get wet after playing in the water and they don't roll up their sleeves in time.

【Cause】 Friction stimulates the skin to react

When children come into contact with rough sand and water, their skin will be soaked or exposed to the sun, the surface protection ability will be reduced, and the skin will react after friction. Liu Xiaoyan said that sand dermatitis is a frictional lichenoid rash, and frictional physical stimulation is its cause. Because children's skin is too thin and tender, they cannot tolerate physical stimulation, which causes the body to react.

In addition, it is a chronic process. When children are playing, their forearms and knees are in contact with the outside world the most, and there are often stimuli, so healing will be slower.

【Treatment】 Do not use hot water to wash the affected area during medication

Sand dermatitis is not contagious, but it usually takes 2 months to heal. After using the medication, the skin will turn red and become connected into patches, but will gradually turn dark red and become flat until it subsides. No scars will be left after healing.

DR Xu reminded parents that the course of sand dermatitis is relatively long and medication needs to be used for a long time. At the same time, he guided parents on how to use the medication. Do not use soap or hot water to wash the affected area during medication. Children can play outdoors, but they should reduce the time and frequency to reduce friction and irritation to the skin.

【Prevention】 It is advisable to play with sand for half an hour

When children play outdoors and come into contact with rough irritants, such as sand, dirt, or rough carpets and mats, it is advisable to limit their play time to about half an hour. If your sleeves get wet, be sure to roll them up in time.