Skin

Resources for printing in English, Māori, Samoan and Tongan. 

There are some simple steps you can take to prevent your child getting a skin infection.

Ringworm is a flat, ring-shaped infection. See a health professional if the ringworm is on your child's scalp as this needs treatment with medicine.

Scabies is caused by a tiny mite which digs under the skin and lays eggs. Small blisters form on the skin above each egg and the skin gets very itchy.

Any area of skin can become infected with cellulitis if the skin is broken in some way. Cellulitis is a serious infection that needs treatment with antibiotics.

Find out the most important steps when tamariki (children) have skin infections. Every day check, clean, cover, eat well, sleep. Wash your hands before and after touching infected skin.

A boil is a tender red lump on the skin - an infection caused by bacteria. Boils are not usually a serious problem and you can treat most boils at home, especially if you notice them early. Sometimes, boils need more treatment.

Antiseptic baths 2 times a week can help prevent infection and improve eczema. Bleaches come in different strengths - see the instructions for how much to use.

If your child's skin has active eczema and is red and itchy, topical steroids can help to soothe that and allow the skin to heal and become comfortable again. You use steroid creams alongside other important eczema treatments, particularly moisturisers and avoidance of soap.

Bathing can be really helpful for tamariki (children) with eczema. Bathing once a day helps to clean the skin and prepares the skin for creams after the bath.

Find out how you can reduce eczema's impact on your child's quality of life. Use lots of moisturiser - at least twice a day, more if possible. Use it all over the body, including the face.

There are 3 really important steps when caring for your child with eczema: using lots of moisturiser; bathing once a day and using steroids when your child's skin has active eczema. Watch the video to see these steps in action.  

Tips from keeping your child cool to using lots of moisturiser - check the top 10 tips when caring for your child with eczema.

Measles can be a serious illness. Make sure your tamariki (children) are vaccinated against measles. Immunisation is the best protection.

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.