Skin

If your child has Henoch-Schonlein purpura, you may first notice a rash. This is caused by inflammation and swelling of the small blood vessels in the skin. 

The foreskin is the loose skin that covers and protects the end of the penis. The foreskin and penis of a baby or child need no special care. A child's foreskin should never be pulled back (retracted) by force.

School sores (impetigo) are common in tamariki (children). They are easily spread and need treatment. Keep your child home from school, kindergarten or daycare until one day after the start of treatment.

Warts are common, harmless skin growths caused by a virus. Warts will disappear within 2 years in most tamariki (children).

Chickenpox is a common childhood illness caused by a virus. Tamariki (children) with chickenpox need to stay home from school and daycare. Tamariki can have free chickenpox immunisation at 15 months of age.

Allergies happen when your child's immune system mistakenly treats normally harmless substances as 'harmful'. The substances that trigger allergies are called allergens. The symptoms of an allergy vary according to what a child or young person is allergic to. 

Eczema is a dry skin condition. You can easily manage most eczema at home but it needs care every day. There is no cure for eczema - just good management.

The main cause of nappy rash is wearing a wet or dirty nappy for too long. Keep your baby's skin clean and dry. 

Head lice are small insects that live on the human scalp. They are common and cause concern and frustration for parents, tamariki (children) and rangatahi (young people). Dimethicone lotion is a very effective treatment that a health professional can prescribe. Check out our step by step guide.