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Rash, Localized, Cause Unknown

Avoid the Cause:
- Try to find the cause.
- Consider irritants like a plant (e.g., poison ivy), chemicals (e.g., solvents or insecticides), fiberglass, detergents, a new cosmetic, or new jewelry.
- A pet may be the intermediary (e.g., with poison ivy or oak) or your child may react directly to pet saliva.
Avoid Soap: Wash the area once thoroughly with soap to remove any remaining irritants. Thereafter avoid soaps to this area. Cleanse the area when needed with warm water.
Local Cold: Apply a cold, wet washcloth or soak in cold water for 20 minutes every 3 to 4 hours to reduce itching or pain.
Steroid Cream: If the itch is more than mild, apply 1% hydrocortisone cream (no prescription needed) every 2 hours until it feels better, then 4 times per day. (Exception: suspected ringworm.)
Avoid Scratching: Encourage the child not to scratch. Cut the fingernails short.
Contagiousness: Children with localized rashes do not need to miss any day care or school.
Expected Course: Most of these rashes pass in 2 to 3 days.
IF your child becomes worse: Review Should I Call? recommendations.