Unconsciously, any parent understands that pale skin with vessels appearing through it is not a very good sign. In a baby, it should be pink and velvet. The question arises - how serious is the pathology manifested by marbling of the skin in children? After all, this condition even has a medical name - Livedo.
You need to understand that marble skin in infants and newborns is not a reason for panic. But if even after a year there are these manifestations, it is necessary to undergo a medical examination. Since this can be a symptom of one of the serious diseases.
Pale skin in children from 0 to 1 year
Marbling of the skin in children under 1 year of age is the norm, since its vegetative system still adapts to a new world for it. Gradually, the vessels will become accustomed to changes in ambient temperature and begin to respond to it, expanding and narrowing when necessary.
In a situation where marbling of the skin in children under 1 year old is accompanied by a high temperature and pallor around the lips, you should definitely consult a doctor. Since this is already a symptom of the disease. Although sometimes it happens that it is just a consequence of a strong overheating of the baby.
Pallor in children from 1 to 4 years
When marbling of the skin is observed in children 3-4 years old, then this is most likely an underdevelopment of the vascular system and this must be combated. It is possible to conclude whether this is a pathology or not by observing the regularity of the appearance of this condition of the skin. If it occurs during the heat, then there is nothing unusual and dangerous. But when the skin turns pale on a regular basis, you should definitely consult a doctor.
Pale skin in children from 5 to 12 years
Marbling of the skin in children 5 years of age and older can indicate the presence of any disease:
- Livedo Racemosa is a symptom of diseases such as lupus erythematosus, syphilis, tuberculosis, malaria, chronic tonsillitis, or one of the diseases of the cardiovascular system.
- Livedo Reticularis a Frigore is a consequence of severe hypothermia of the body. This condition does not last long and passes with the normalization of the temperature surrounding the child's environment. But in some cases, such a pattern on the skin may indicate a violation of the internal organs.
- Livedo Reticularis a Celore and Ienticelaris - occurs as a result of overheating of the child.
In principle, marbled skin in a child at a temperature is already a dangerous condition. Since this is a sign of an inflammatory process in the body. In this case, one cannot do without the help of a specialist.
In order not to risk when a disease occurs, you must definitely show them to your doctor.
Localization of pallor
The condition of the child depends on where the pallor is localized. That is, the appearance of marbling of the skin in one place or another can tell what kind of pathology the baby has. For example, if marbling appears on the face, around the nose and lips, this may be a signal that the child has problems with the heart or nervous system. In this case, only a cardiologist and, accordingly, a neurologist can make an accurate diagnosis.
If the marble skin of a child and an adult covers the entire body, then this may indicate an incorrect or incompletely formed vascular system. It is too close to the surface of the skin, the network of blood vessels clearly shines through in case of overheating or hypothermia. Such manifestations usually disappear after normalizing the ambient temperature.
Marble skin on the legs is an early sign of vascular erythema - a pathology manifested by venous spasms. Most often, it occurs already in adults.
Pale skin with streaks of blood vessels on the hands - this is a usual slight frostbite. It is observed in the cold season in children and adults, passes when a person warms up.
If the skin is pale and thin on the palms of the hands, then this is most likely a neurological disease, and one cannot do without proper treatment in this situation.
No need to look for the causes and methods of treating marble disease in children, if it manifests itself on the feet. This phenomenon is a genetic feature of the baby. It is not pathological or hazardous to health. The help of a doctor is not required.
Types of marbling skin
Conventionally, marbling of the skin is divided into 2 main types - physiological and pathological. The physiological type is caused by the influence of the external environment and is not related to diseases of the body. Marble skin by physiological type does not require treatment - this is a short-term phenomenon that disappears after the body returns to comfortable conditions.
The pathological type is characterized by the fact that marble skin is one of the manifestations of a disease. You need to understand that this is not the main and, moreover, not the only symptom of the disease. Typically, pathology has several manifestations, in some of which there is also a pallor of the skin with protruding vessels.
Physiological Causes of Pale Skin
Mentioning that pallor of the skin is one of the symptoms of many diseases, we can distinguish a number of pathologies in which this manifestation is mandatory. When diagnosing the disease, other characteristic symptoms are taken into account.
The causes of marble skin in a child are quite diverse:
- Change in ambient temperature - cold or heat. To deal with this phenomenon is quite easy, you need to dress the child adequately for the weather or room temperature. Ideally, it should be 23-27 degrees with high humidity.
- Exercise stress. No treatment is required.
- Binge eating. This situation can occur only in infants. It is necessary to normalize its nutrition and revise the diet. A pediatrician or a nutritionist can help with this.
- If the baby was born 7 months old, then pallor of the skin is, rather, the norm. Special treatment is not required, as this will pass by 1 year.
- Weight deficit. Pale skin for this reason is a logical phenomenon. It goes by itself with the normalization of nutrition.
Pathological factors
The causes and treatment of marble skin in children in case of pathology are identified by specialists in a number of additional signs and symptoms:
- Pale skin as a sign of a lack of oxygen during pregnancy. The treatment for this condition is to eliminate oxygen starvation. The methodology is chosen only by a specialist according to the individual indications of the patient.
- Low hemoglobin in the blood. It is confirmed by a special blood test. Therapy of this condition is to correct nutrition with the addition of a number of foods rich in iron and vitamins.
- Heart disease. The treatment technique and drugs are selected by the cardiologist. Self-medication can lead to the death of the patient.
- Dropsy or cystic mass in the central nervous system. Treatment includes taking special medications or surgery. Therapy is prescribed only by a specialist. Self-medication is impossible.
- Violation of the work of vegetative-vascular dystonia. This violation has the longest and most comprehensive treatment. The child must observe the daily routine. Take multivitamins, eat according to the prescribed diet, exercise regularly, in some cases, a consultation with a psychologist is required. Drug treatment is extremely rare, most often a patient with such a diagnosis is prescribed physiotherapy, during which the necessary drug is administered.
- With Down syndrome or Edwards, there is no cure as such. The psychologist helps the child to adapt in society. At the same time, the doctor teaches the family members of the baby to treat the child correctly so that he feels comfortable.
Temperature complication
When marble skin is complicated by fever, this indicates the presence of an infection in the body. On the face, there is a violation of heat transfer and spasm of blood vessels, hence the effect of marbled skin. In such a situation, you need to immediately deliver the patient to a doctor or call an ambulance, especially if the temperature is 40 degrees or higher.
Prevention
Preventive measures are aimed at preventing situations in which pallor and vascular spasms may appear. It is necessary to monitor the temperature in the room with the baby. It should not have drafts and lower temperatures below 23 degrees Celsius. Comfortable air humidity is required - to achieve this is simple, just put a small basin of water next to the bed.
From 1 year, you can start hardening the child, but this should be done only after a thorough examination of the doctor and on his recommendation, since the baby may have hidden pathologies or simply weak immunity.
It is very useful to do baby baths - at least 1 time per day. For the normal development of the skeleton and muscle tissue of the child, it is necessary to massage him and conduct gymnastics.
Many parents from 4-5 years old give their child to swim. This strengthens his health and has a therapeutic effect in many congenital diseases.
Breastfeeding can be continued up to 1 year. No longer is needed, but less than 6 months will not be enough for a healthy child to grow. It is very important to monitor the correct diet of the baby, a specialist nutritionist will help to balance the diet.
Many believe that taking vitamins is necessary at any age. This is so, but everything needs to be done only as prescribed by the doctor - you need to take only those drugs that he will prescribe. If you do it yourself, then in the end the situation may worsen.
How lifestyle affects skin
In the modern world, the most interesting thing for the baby is on the other side of the monitor screen and TV. From 2-3 years old, parents teach their child to cartoons and computer games. This is convenient - the baby is safe and does not require attention. You can safely do your own thing.
But it is just such a plant-based lifestyle that leads to the appearance of marbled skin.
You need to understand that for the full development of the baby should walk more, engage physically, and in any weather. Ideally, the child should be on the street 4-5 hours a day.
Conclusion
Marble skin is neither a sentence nor a terrible pathology. It is not necessary to be afraid of it, but it is also impossible to take this phenomenon lightly. Regular pallor of the skin with the manifestation of the vascular network can talk about various dangerous pathologies that require immediate treatment. In any case, the situation cannot be left to chance, it is necessary first of all to seek the advice of a doctor. The specialist will be able to pinpoint the cause and prescribe the necessary treatment.