Differential Diagnosis for White Rash on Infant Skin
- The following is a list of possible causes for a white rash on an infant's skin, categorized by likelihood and importance.
Single Most Likely Diagnosis
- Eczema (Atopic Dermatitis): A common skin condition in infants, characterized by itchy, inflamed skin, and often appears as a white or light-colored rash.
- Milky Spots or Milia: Small, white bumps on the skin caused by keratin buildup, commonly seen on the nose, cheeks, and chin of newborns.
Other Likely Diagnoses
- Seborrheic Dermatitis: A skin condition that causes a red, oily, and flaky rash, often with white or yellowish scales, typically on the scalp, face, and ears.
- Contact Dermatitis: A skin reaction to an allergen or irritant, resulting in a red, itchy, and sometimes white rash.
- Impetigo: A highly contagious bacterial skin infection, often starting as a white or yellowish spot that turns into a honeycomb-like crust.
Do Not Miss Diagnoses
- Congenital Syphilis: A serious condition that can cause a variety of skin rashes, including white or pale-colored lesions, and requires prompt treatment to prevent long-term damage.
- Leucoderma (Vitiligo): A condition that causes loss of skin pigment, resulting in white patches, which can be a sign of an underlying autoimmune disorder.
- Langerhans Cell Histiocytosis: A rare disorder that can cause skin lesions, including white or light-colored rashes, and requires early diagnosis and treatment.
Rare Diagnoses
- Epidermolytic Hyperkeratosis: A rare genetic disorder that causes thick, scaly skin and can appear as a white or light-colored rash.
- Ichthyosis: A group of rare genetic disorders that cause dry, scaly skin, which can appear white or light-colored.
- Sclerema Neonatorum: A rare condition that causes hardened, white skin in newborns, often associated with serious underlying medical conditions.