Children love to mess with cats, dogs and other animals. However, not always a favorable experience in communicating with the animal kingdom turns into a benefit, and one day parents discover pink or red spots in a child caused by a disease called lichen. Then a number of questions arise for parents: “What is lichen?”, “How to treat lichen?” and "How to protect the rest of the family from this disease?"
In nature, a wide variety of lichen species is found, and not necessarily its carriers and sources of infection are animals. Depending on the variety of this dermatosis, appropriate treatment is prescribed. However, before treating lichen, it is necessary to establish what kind of disease the skin of the patient is affected.
Lichen planus
Symptoms of red lichen are lesions of the skin, mucous membranes of the body and nails with the formation of red spots filled with fluid, accompanied by severe itching and unpleasant sensations. The lesions of lichen planus are located mainly on the skin of the abdomen and hands. This disease is viral, can cause complications and develop into a chronic form. In case of symptoms, one should, without delay, consult a doctor who, on the basis of a more accurate diagnosis of the disease, will tell you how to treat lichen and how to protect relatives from this infection.
The treatment of lichen planus is comprehensive. External therapy is carried out, antihistamines and sedatives are prescribed. In severe forms of the disease, antibiotics are used. The gastrointestinal tract is examined for the presence of diseases, the neuropsychic and hormonal state of the body.
Ringworm
This type of lichen got its name due to the fact that it occurs on the hairline of the human body and affects the hair in these areas. From the outside, it looks like a clipped tuft of hair, mostly round in shape. Most often, children who attend educational institutions and have close contact with other children suffer from ringworm. Ringworm can be transmitted through common things and objects on which the pathogen can linger for a long time.
Ringworm is treated with prescription of antimycotic drugs (lamisil, griseofulvin, orungal, nizoral). For local treatment, sulfur-salicylic and sulfur-tar ointments, mycosolone, Wilkinson ointment are used.
Shingles
Symptoms of this viral disease are characterized by a rash of fluid-filled vesicles on the body, which are usually very itchy and are accompanied by painful sensations. The patient may have fever, headache, chills. This is the most severe form of all known types of deprivation of the disease, which can last for many years and give serious complications. Therefore, how to treat shingles, the doctor will best tell.
Treatment of shingles is carried out with the use of antiviral drugs, sometimes corticosteroids. Analgesics and sedatives are prescribed. Local therapy is carried out using antiseptic ointments.
Pink lichen
This infectious-allergic skin disease most often affects the skin of the back, abdomen, arms, legs and very rarely the face. The lesions have a pale pink color and strongly flaky from the middle to the edges. In case of pink lesion, the patient must be isolated, since this infectious form is highly contagious.
In the treatment of pink lichen, antihistamines, antipruritic and sedative drugs are prescribed, in severe cases of the disease - antibiotics. The patient is recommended to limit walks in the sun, water procedures. A set of general strengthening measures is being carried out.
Pityriasis versicolor
The activity of the fungus is manifested in the form of pale pink spots of various shapes, with no obvious signs of inflammation. The disease begins to progress in conditions of high humidity and a warm environment, such as in patients with excessive sweating.
Pityriasis versicolor is treated with agents that soften the cornea of rashes, antifungal drugs, and zinc pyrithione-containing products.
In all varieties of lichen, the main signs of damage in the early stages are very similar and are expressed by the appearance of flaky pale pink spots in closed areas of the body, an increase in temperature and an increase in the size of the lymph nodes.
At the first symptoms of a lesion, the patient must be protected from close contact with surrounding people, disinfection of his things. If this is a child, then make sure that he does not comb the stains. Do not give a bath, as in a humid environment, lichen spreads faster. Wear cotton items on the patient. Limit it from overheating and walking in the open sun.
Before treating lichen, in any case, you should consult a doctor for advice, since it is quite difficult to diagnose a variety of the disease yourself. Moreover, the causes of the appearance of some species of lichen are not well understood.
And do not forget about basic hygiene: wash your hands after using public transport, keep your house and apartment clean, especially if you have pets. In case of danger, it is worth boiling linen and clothes. It is important to teach your child to keep his body clean. Provided that these simple tips are followed, the infection may be bypassed and you won’t have to think about how to treat lichen.