As the excitement of a new school year builds, parents across the Atlanta metro area are busy shopping for supplies, organizing schedules, and preparing their children for the academic adventures ahead. But while you’re focused on backpacks and lunch boxes, there’s another important aspect of back-to-school preparation that deserves attention: your child’s skin health.

At Spectrum Dermatology of Atlanta, Dr. Susan Spitzler and Dr. Emma Murad have seen firsthand how the school environment can impact children’s skin. With Dr. Spitzler’s specialized training from her two-year pediatric dermatology residency at the University of Connecticut, our team understands the unique challenges that students face when it comes to maintaining healthy skin throughout the school year.

The transition back to school brings increased exposure to germs, shared surfaces, stress, and environmental changes that can trigger or worsen various skin conditions. From the playground to the classroom, children encounter numerous factors that can affect their skin health in ways that many parents don’t anticipate.

Understanding these potential skin issues and knowing how to prevent and address them can help ensure your child has a comfortable, confident school year. Let’s explore the most common back-to-school skin conditions that every parent should have on their radar.

The Classroom Culprits: Infectious Skin Conditions

Schools are notorious breeding grounds for contagious conditions, and several skin-related infections tend to spike when children return to close-contact environments.

Impetigo: The Honey-Crusted Concern

Impetigo is one of the most common bacterial skin infections in school-aged children, and for good reason. This highly contagious condition spreads easily through direct contact or by sharing contaminated items like towels, clothing, or sports equipment.

The infection typically appears as red sores that quickly rupture, ooze, and form characteristic honey-colored crusts, usually around the nose and mouth area. While impetigo can occur anywhere on the body, it’s particularly common on areas that are easily scratched or irritated.

What makes impetigo particularly concerning in the school setting is its ability to spread rapidly through a classroom. Children who pick at the lesions can easily transfer the bacteria to other parts of their body or to surfaces that other students touch.

Early recognition is crucial because prompt treatment with topical or oral antibiotics can clear the infection quickly and prevent its spread. Most children can return to school 24 hours after starting appropriate antibiotic treatment, making early intervention beneficial for both the affected child and their classmates.

Head Lice: The Persistent Classroom Visitor

Despite common misconceptions, head lice have nothing to do with poor hygiene—they’re simply opportunistic insects that spread easily in environments where children are in close contact. The start of the school year often sees an uptick in lice cases as children who may have picked up these pests during summer activities bring them into the classroom.

Head lice are tiny, wingless insects that live on the scalp and feed on human blood. They spread primarily through direct head-to-head contact, though they can occasionally be transmitted through shared items like hats, hair accessories, or pillows during sleepovers.

The primary symptom is intense itching, which may not develop until several weeks after the initial infestation. This delayed reaction often means that lice have time to spread to other family members or classmates before the problem is identified.

While over-the-counter treatments are available, some lice populations have developed resistance to common treatments. Professional evaluation can help determine the most effective approach and ensure complete eradication of both live lice and their eggs (nits).

Molluscum Contagiosum: The Persistent Bumps

Molluscum contagiosum is a viral skin infection that’s particularly common in school-aged children. This condition causes small, raised, pearl-like bumps with a central dimple that can appear anywhere on the body, though they’re most common on the torso, arms, and legs.

The virus spreads through direct skin contact or by touching contaminated surfaces, making school environments ideal for transmission. Children involved in contact sports or activities that involve shared equipment are at higher risk.

While molluscum contagiosum is generally harmless and often resolves on its own over time, the process can take months or even years. During this time, the bumps can spread to other areas of the child’s body and potentially to other children.

Treatment options are available and may be recommended to prevent spread, reduce the duration of infection, or address lesions that become irritated or infected. The decision to treat often depends on the location of the lesions, the child’s age, and family preferences.

Environmental and Stress-Related Skin Reactions

The school environment introduces children to new allergens, irritants, and stressors that can trigger various skin reactions.

Contact Dermatitis: The Unexpected Classroom Reaction

Schools are full of potential allergens and irritants that can cause contact dermatitis in susceptible children. From cleaning products used on desks to materials in art class, new exposures can trigger skin reactions that parents might not immediately connect to the school environment.

Common school-related triggers include metals in zippers or snaps, fragrances in soaps or sanitizers, adhesives in bandages or tape, latex in gloves or balloons, and chemicals in art supplies or science materials.

Contact dermatitis typically appears as red, itchy, sometimes blistering skin in the areas that came into contact with the offending substance. The reaction may develop immediately or take several hours to appear, making it challenging to identify the trigger.

Prevention involves identifying and avoiding known triggers when possible, but this isn’t always practical in the school setting. Teaching children to wash their hands thoroughly after activities and to avoid touching their face can help minimize reactions.

Eczema Flares: When Stress Meets Sensitive Skin

For children with existing eczema (atopic dermatitis), the start of the school year can be particularly challenging. The combination of new stressors, environmental changes, and increased exposure to potential irritants can trigger flares of this chronic condition.

School-related eczema triggers can include stress from academic or social pressures, dry air from heating or air conditioning systems, frequent hand washing or sanitizer use, new detergents used on school linens, and exposure to dust mites in classroom carpets or furniture.

Eczema flares typically involve dry, red, itchy patches of skin that may crack, bleed, or become infected from scratching. In children, these often appear on the face, neck, and flexural areas like elbow and knee creases.

Managing school-related eczema flares requires a comprehensive approach that includes maintaining proper skin hydration, identifying and avoiding triggers when possible, managing stress through appropriate outlets, and working with teachers to accommodate necessary skin care routines.

Athletic and Activity-Related Skin Issues

As children engage in sports and physical activities, new skin concerns may arise related to increased sweating, equipment use, and physical contact.

Athlete’s Foot and Fungal Infections: The Locker Room Legacy

Communal areas like locker rooms, swimming pools, and shower facilities create ideal conditions for fungal infections. Athlete’s foot (tinea pedis) is particularly common among student athletes, but any child who uses these facilities is at risk.

The warm, moist environment of athletic shoes and communal areas provides perfect conditions for fungi to thrive. Symptoms typically include itching, burning, and scaling between the toes or on the soles of the feet.

Prevention is key and includes keeping feet clean and dry, wearing moisture-wicking socks, using antifungal powder in shoes, wearing shower shoes in communal areas, and changing out of sweaty shoes and socks promptly.

Early treatment with over-the-counter antifungal medications is often effective, but persistent or severe infections may require prescription treatments.

Sports-Related Skin Injuries and Infections

Participation in sports increases the risk of cuts, scrapes, and other skin injuries that can become infected if not properly cared for. Additionally, the combination of minor injuries and close physical contact can facilitate the spread of bacterial and viral skin infections.

Common sports-related skin issues include bacterial infections of cuts and scrapes, herpes simplex virus (particularly in contact sports), staph infections including MRSA, and friction-related injuries like blisters and calluses.

Proper wound care, maintaining good hygiene, and avoiding sharing personal items like towels or razors are essential prevention strategies.

Acne and Hormonal Changes

For middle and high school students, hormonal changes can trigger or worsen acne, which can significantly impact self-esteem during these crucial social years.

The Back-to-School Acne Challenge

The stress of returning to school, combined with hormonal fluctuations common in adolescence, often leads to acne flares just when students are most concerned about their appearance. This timing can be particularly challenging for students’ mental health and social confidence.

School-related factors that can worsen acne include stress from academic and social pressures, irregular sleep patterns due to schedule changes, dietary changes from school lunch programs, and increased touching of the face due to anxiety or habits.

Modern acne treatment has advanced significantly, and early intervention can prevent scarring and reduce the psychological impact of this common condition. Treatment plans can be tailored to work within school schedules and activities.

Beyond Topical Treatments: A Comprehensive Approach

Effective acne management often requires addressing multiple factors, including proper skin care routines that fit into busy school schedules, dietary considerations and hydration, stress management techniques, and sometimes prescription medications when over-the-counter options aren’t sufficient.

Working with a pediatric dermatologist ensures that treatment plans are age-appropriate and consider the unique challenges that students face.

When to Seek Professional Help

While many skin conditions can be managed at home with over-the-counter treatments, certain situations warrant professional evaluation and care.

Red Flag Symptoms Requiring Immediate Attention

Parents should seek prompt medical attention for any rapidly spreading rash or infection, signs of bacterial infection such as increased pain, warmth, swelling, or pus, fever accompanying a skin condition, or any condition that significantly impacts the child’s quality of life or school attendance.

The Value of Specialist Care

Pediatric dermatologists like Dr. Spitzler and Dr. Murad at Spectrum Dermatology of Atlanta have specialized training in recognizing and treating skin conditions that are unique to children or that present differently in pediatric populations.

This specialized expertise is particularly valuable for accurate diagnosis of conditions that may be confused with others, treatment recommendations that consider a child’s age, development, and lifestyle, guidance on managing chronic conditions like eczema or psoriasis, and coordination with schools when skin conditions affect attendance or participation.

Prevention Strategies for the School Year

Proactive measures can significantly reduce the risk of many back-to-school skin conditions.

Daily Hygiene Habits That Make a Difference

Establishing consistent hygiene routines helps prevent many infectious skin conditions. Key practices include regular hand washing with soap and water (especially important given increased use of hand sanitizers), daily bathing or showering, particularly after physical activities, keeping fingernails short and clean to reduce scratching and bacterial accumulation, and not sharing personal items like towels, brushes, or clothing.

Environmental Modifications

Simple changes can reduce exposure to common triggers: using fragrance-free, hypoallergenic products, maintaining appropriate humidity levels in bedrooms, washing bedding and clothing in gentle, fragrance-free detergents, and creating a calm bedtime routine to manage stress.

Communication and Education

Teaching children about skin health empowers them to make good choices and recognize when they need help. Age-appropriate education should cover the importance of not picking at skin lesions, recognizing signs that warrant adult attention, understanding that many skin conditions are common and treatable, and knowing when and how to seek help.

Working with Your Child’s School

Many skin conditions can be managed successfully without impacting school attendance, but communication with school personnel can be helpful.

When to Notify the School

Parents should inform school nurses or administrators about infectious conditions that might affect other students, chronic conditions that may require medication or special accommodations, allergies that might be triggered by school materials or environments, and any condition that might affect the child’s participation in activities.

Advocating for Your Child

Schools are generally accommodating when they understand a child’s needs. This might include allowing extra time for hand washing or medication application, providing alternatives to problematic materials in art or science classes, or ensuring access to clean water and appropriate facilities for managing skin conditions.

The Emotional Impact of Skin Conditions

Skin conditions can significantly affect children’s self-esteem and social interactions, particularly during the school years when peer acceptance is so important.

• Supporting Your Child’s Mental Health Parents can help by normalizing skin conditions and emphasizing that they’re common and treatable, focusing on overall health rather than appearance alone, encouraging open communication about any teasing or social difficulties, and working with school counselors when skin conditions impact social or academic performance.
• Building Confidence Effective treatment of skin conditions often leads to improved self-confidence, but the process takes time. Meanwhile, parents can help children develop coping strategies and maintain perspective about temporary skin issues.

Long-Term Skin Health Education

The school years are an ideal time to establish lifelong habits that promote healthy skin.

• Sun Protection Habits Teaching children about sun protection sets the foundation for lifelong cancer prevention. This includes regular use of broad-spectrum sunscreen, protective clothing and hats during outdoor activities, seeking shade during peak sun hours, and understanding that sun damage is cumulative and begins in childhood.
• Nutrition and Skin Health While the relationship between diet and skin health is complex, encouraging overall healthy eating habits supports skin function. Emphasizing hydration, balanced nutrition with plenty of fruits and vegetables, and limiting processed foods high in sugar can contribute to overall health including skin health.

The Spectrum Dermatology Advantage

At Spectrum Dermatology of Atlanta, we understand that pediatric skin concerns require specialized knowledge and a gentle approach that considers the whole child, not just the skin condition.

• Comprehensive Pediatric Care Our approach includes thorough evaluation of skin conditions within the context of the child’s overall health and development, age-appropriate treatment plans that work with busy school schedules, family education and support to manage conditions effectively, and coordination with other healthcare providers when necessary.
• Advanced Treatment Options We offer the latest evidence-based treatments for pediatric skin conditions, from topical therapies to advanced procedures when appropriate. Our goal is always to achieve the best possible outcomes while minimizing impact on the child’s daily activities and school attendance.
• Convenient Location and Scheduling Located in Alpharetta at 1725 Windward Concourse, Suite 120, we’re easily accessible to families throughout the North Atlanta metro area. We understand the challenges of balancing medical appointments with school schedules and work to accommodate families’ needs.

Taking Action: Your Next Steps

As you prepare your child for the new school year, consider scheduling a dermatology consultation if your child has existing skin conditions that may be affected by school attendance, has a history of skin problems that tend to flare with stress or environmental changes, participates in sports or activities that may increase skin condition risks, or simply as a proactive measure to establish care with a pediatric dermatologist.

Early intervention and proper management can prevent minor skin issues from becoming major problems that interfere with your child’s school experience and overall well-being.

A Healthy Start to the School Year

The return to school doesn’t have to mean the return of skin problems. With proper awareness, prevention strategies, and professional support when needed, your child can maintain healthy skin throughout the academic year.

Remember that most skin conditions affecting school-aged children are common, treatable, and temporary. The key is recognizing them early, seeking appropriate care, and maintaining open communication with your child about any skin concerns they may experience.

At Spectrum Dermatology of Atlanta, Dr. Susan Spitzler, Dr. Emma Murad, and our experienced team are here to support your family’s skin health needs throughout the school year and beyond. We believe that every child deserves to feel confident and comfortable in their skin, allowing them to focus on learning, growing, and enjoying their school experience.

Don’t let skin conditions derail your child’s school year. Contact Spectrum Dermatology of Atlanta at (470) 731-8010 to schedule a consultation or learn more about our pediatric dermatology services. We’re conveniently located just south of Halcyon in Alpharetta, where McGinnis Ferry Road crosses Georgia 400, making us easily accessible to families throughout the Greater Atlanta Metro area.

Your child’s healthy skin and confident school year start with the right dermatologic care. Let us help you keep skin conditions off your back-to-school worry list.