What childhood rash is this?

It can be alarming if you discover a rash or spots on your baby or child, especially if you don't know what's causing it or what it could be.

Our guide includes photos of rashes on different skin colours, takes you through common causes of childhood skin conditions and explains what to do about them.

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My child has a rash: what should I do?

Childhood rashes are common and harmless, and most will disappear without even needing treatment. But if you spot something unexpected, here's what to do:

Rule out obvious causes. Have you recently changed washing detergent or a baby product? Young skin is sensitive and more prone to irritation, inflammation and redness from something as basic as this so switching to less allergenic formulations and treating with antihistamines in the meantime can help.

Is an infection 'going round'? Check if they've been in contact with another child with a contagious illness at nursery, school or elsewhere as this may give you a clue as to what the rash could be.

Do they also have a fever? Many rashes are accompanied by other symptoms such as fever - use a digital thermometer to check their temperature is within the safe range.

Call 111 or contact your GP. If you're unsure about what rash it is, seek a professional opinion. For example, it can be harder to see on brown or black skin so the NHS advises you to check the soles of the feet, palms, lips, tongue and inside the eyelids for colour changes.

Go to A&E or call 999. In rare cases, a rash can be a symptom of something serious such as an anaphylactic allergic reaction or meningitis, so call 999 or go to A&E now if your child is unwell with a rash and has any of these symptoms:

• A stiff neck
• Bothered by light
• Seems confused
• High temperature
• Difficulty breathing (you may notice grunting noises or their tummy sucking under their ribs), breathlessness or fast breathing
• A rash that looks like small bruises or bleeding under the skin that doesn't fade when a glass is pressed against it
• Skin, lips or tongue look pale, blue, grey or blotchy

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Chickenpox

Chickenpox is a common and very infectious virus that usually gets better by itself after a couple of weeks.

Chickenpox symptoms

• Stage 1: Small red spots appear. These can be anywhere on the body. Your child may also develop a fever, get aches and pains and lose their appetite.
• Stage 2: The spots become itchy, fluid-filled blisters. 
• Stage 3: The blisters scab and may become flaky or leak fluid.

Chickenpox treatment

• Plenty of rest and hydration plus antihistamines and paracetamol such as Calpol to ease itching (avoid ibuprofen as it can cause skin reactions in people with chickenpox).
• Over-the-counter gels and foams for treating chickenpox scabs are easy to apply, less messy than calamine lotion and won't dry spots out. 

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Cradle cap

Although not technically a rash, this form of seborrheic dermatitis can be a bit alarming for new parents.

However, it's a harmless condition that isn't itchy, painful or contagious and it usually clears up on its own within six to 12 months. 

Cradle cap symptoms

• Large patches of white or yellow scaly skin on the scalp, or the scalp can look pink with white or grey scales on black or brown skin.
• Mainly found on the head and face but it can also appear in the nappy area.

Cradle cap treatment

• Lightly massage a moisturiser onto the scalp to help loosen the scales. 
• Gently brush the scalp with a soft brush then wash with baby shampoo. Don't be tempted to pick the crusts as this can increase infection risk.

Eczema

Eczema (atopic dermatitis) is a common skin condition that causes itchy patches of skin. 

It can be worsened or even triggered by products such as soaps and shampoos or by factors such as central heating and hard water.

Eczema symptoms

• Itchy, bumpy, raised patches of skin that can appear anywhere but mostly on the hands, elbows, backs of the knee, face and scalp.
• Infected eczema oozes or weeps, has a scabbed yellow crust, is more itchy and painful than usual and the skin may be red or swollen.

Eczema treatment 

• Emollients and wet wraps. Emollients are moisturisers that can be used daily to prevent skin dryness while wet wraps can help to cool the skin. 
• Steroids. Topical corticosteroids can be used intermittently to reduce skin redness and dampen inflammation during an eczema flare-up. If these aren't working, especially in delicate areas such as around the eyes, calcineurin inhibitors may be prescribed.
• Antihistamines and antibiotics. Antihistamines can help relieve itching and antibiotics can be prescribed if the eczema becomes infected (your GP may swab it first to confirm this is what's needed). 

Giant hogweed and other plant rashes

The milky sap from non-native giant hogweed (Heracleum mantegazzianum) contains high levels of photosensitising plant chemicals that make the skin unable to protect itself from UV light.

If you're in sunlight with the sap on your skin, it can cause a rash, followed by burning and blistering that can take around a week to heal but even after this healing period, the skin can remain scarred and sensitive to light.

Giant hogweed symptoms

• Raised, red welts developing as quickly as 15 minutes after contact with sap.
• Blistering if skin is exposed to sunlight/UV light.

Giant hogweed treatment

• Wash skin immediately with soap and cool water (don't burst any blisters), flush eyes with plenty of water as a precautionary measure, and remove and wash clothing worn during contact. 
• Get out of sunlight immediately (keep out for at least 48 hours) and seek medical advice. The Woodland Trust has information on giant hogweed and similar-looking but harmless plants such as cow parsley and common hogweed, plus other plants that can also cause phytotoxic burns such as wild parsnip or poison ivy (commonly found in the US).

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Hand, foot and mouth disease

Hand, foot and mouth disease is a common childhood illness caused by a virus.  

Despite the name, it has nothing to do with the foot and mouth disease that affects farm animals.

Hand, foot and mouth disease symptoms

• Sore throat, followed by mouth ulcers after a few days.
• High temperature and lack of appetite. 
• Raised pink or red spots on the hands, feet and mouth (sometimes on the thighs and bottom, too), turning into blisters that are grey or lighter than the surrounding skin. 

Hand, foot and mouth disease treatment

• Antibiotics don't help hand, foot and mouth disease because it's viral, but the condition should get better by itself in seven-to-10 days (speak to your GP if it goes on for longer).
• Let them rest and give them plenty of fluids and soft foods like yoghurt, but avoid acidic drinks such as orange juice and spicy foods as these can worsen mouth sores.

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Heat rash (prickly heat)

Heat rash, or prickly heat, is a largely harmless but uncomfortable condition that happens when sweat glands become blocked. 

Babies may get heat rash because they can't control their temperature as well as adults and children.

Heat rash symptoms

• Small raised red spots
• An itchy, prickly feeling
• Redness and mild swelling

Heat rash treatment

• Cool the skin by applying a damp cloth, giving them cooling baths or showers and dressing them in loose cotton clothing.
• Keep them well-hydrated.

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Hives (urticaria or nettle rash)

A hives rash – also known as urticaria or nettle rash – is usually caused by a reaction to food, medicines, pollen or insect bites and stings. 

It's not to be confused with a nettle sting caused by stinging nettle plants - the similar name results from the fact the rash looks similar in both cases.

Hives symptoms

• Red, raised, itchy bumps or 'wheals', which can be in large patches or appear as red spots. 
• Hives can be different shapes and sizes and can appear anywhere on the body.
• Itchy rash that can also feel like it's burning or stinging.

Hives treatment

• Damp compresses and cooling baths. 
• Talk to your pharmacist or GP about antihistamines that are suitable for children.

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Impetigo

Impetigo is a highly contagious bacterial skin condition usually found on exposed areas like the face and hands and is particularly common in babies and young children.

Impetigo symptoms

• Reddish sores, often around the nose and mouth.
• These develop into fluid-filled blisters that, when burst, form a yellowish scab. 

Impetigo treatment

• Hydrogen peroxide cream if it's in one area or antibiotic cream or tablets if more widespread - speak to your pharmacist as they can provide some of these treatments.
• Gently wash the scabs, cover them with loose clothing or bandages and stay away from others until they stop being contagious (48 hours after starting treatment or when patches are crusted over).

Measles

Although it's less common than it used to be, measles is a highly infectious virus that is now on the rise in the UK because of fewer people getting the MMR (measles, mumps and rubella) jab. 

Measles symptoms appear around 10 days after you’re infected, so it’s important to alert people your child may have been in contact with, including nursery and school.

Measles symptoms

• Cold-like symptoms including a high temperature, runny or blocked nose and sneezing. 
• Grey-white spots on back of the lips and inside of the cheeks and sore, red eyes. 
• A red, blotchy measles rash a few days later (the rash doesn't tend to be itchy).

Measles treatment

• Plenty of rest, keep them well-hydrated and clean crusts from their eyes with cotton wool soaked in warm water.
• Give paracetamol or ibuprofen to relieve high temperatures.

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Meningococcal septicaemia

Meningococcal septicaemia is a very serious illness that can cause skin and tissue damage, bone growth problems, organ failure and limb loss if not treated quickly. 

It’s caused by meningococcal bacteria in the blood releasing endotoxins (poisons) that cause widespread damage to the body, including to blood vessels in the organs, tissues and skin. 

Meningococcal septicaemia rash symptoms

• A reddish-purple, bruise-like 'petechial' rash caused by blood leaking into the tissues under the skin - crucially, it doesn't disappear if you roll a glass over it.
• Fever, vomiting, cold hands and feet, rapid breathing, aversion to bright lights, a stiff neck, becoming floppy or unresponsive and an unusual cry or moaning. 

Meningococcal septicaemia rash treatment

• Don’t wait for a rash – if you’re worried about any of these other symptoms call 999 or go to A&E.
• Hospital tests will confirm whether the meningitis is viral or bacterial – antibiotic treatment will usually be started immediately and then stopped if tests show it's viral.

Nappy rash

Nappy rash is very common and is caused by moisture from urine and faeces irritating your baby's delicate skin, particularly the ammonia found in their urine.

Although mild nappy rash might not bother them too much, it can become uncomfortable.

Nappy rash symptoms

• Red, inflamed or spotty skin around your baby’s bottom and genitals.
• Skin may look shiny and sore and feel hot to the touch.

Nappy rash treatment

• Over-the-counter nappy creams will help ease sore skin and act as a barrier to moisture to prevent it happening. 
• Change wet or dirty nappies as soon as possible and give your baby some ‘nappy-free’ time each day to allow air to get to the skin, placing them on a waterproof mat in case any accidents occur.

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Ringworm

Despite the name, ringworm (also known as tinea) has nothing to do with worms: it's caused by a fungal infection.

Ringworm symptoms

• A circular rash that is red or silvery in appearance and may also be scaly, dry, itchy or swollen.
• Ringworm can appear anywhere on the body, including the groin (known as jock itch) or the scalp (tinea capitis).

Ringworm treatment

• Over-the-counter anti-fungal cream or shampoo. 
• Your pharmacist can recommend if you need to see your GP.  

Roseola

Not to be confused with rubeola (which is what causes measles), roseola is a viral infection that causes a rash. 

It’s most common in babies, toddlers and young children, although adults can also catch it.

Roseola symptoms

• Fever, sore throat, runny nose, diarrhoea, swollen glands and eyelids plus loss of appetite.
• Pinkish-red spots, bumps or patches, starting on the back and torso and spreading to the face, neck and arms.
• Some children may also have fits, known as febrile seizures, brought on by their high temperature.

Roseola treatment

• Plenty of rest and rehydration. 
• If the fever makes your child uncomfortable give infant paracetamol and seek medical advice if they have a febrile seizure.

Scabies

Scabies is caused by tiny parasitic mites that burrow into the skin to lay eggs, leaving lines with a dot at one end.

Although it's not usually a serious condition, it can affect anyone, including children and babies, and needs to be treated. 

Scabies symptoms

• A bumpy, itchy, blister-like rash on the head, neck, palms and soles of the feet.
• Intense itching, especially during the night.

Scabies treatment

• A cream or lotion from your pharmacist to treat the entire family - this will need to be repeated a week later.
• Wash all bedding at 60°C and if possible in a hot dryer to remove traces of mites and put clothing that can't be washed into a bag and seal it for three days until the mites die.

Scarlet fever

Scarlet fever (scarlatina) is a bacterial infection that mostly affects children.

 Although in the past scarlet fever was a serious illness, antibiotics mean it's now less common and easier to treat. 

Scarlet fever rash symptoms

• A bright-red rash that feels rough to the touch, like sandpaper.
• You may also get a temperature, swollen glands, and a tongue that initially appears white, and then takes on a swollen ‘strawberry-like’ appearance.

Scarlet fever rash treatment

• Your GP can prescribe antibiotics, but call first rather than visiting the surgery because it's highly contagious.
• Scarlet fever is infectious for up to seven days before symptoms appear and until 24 hours after the first dose of antibiotic tablets are taken - without antibiotics you can spread the infection for two to three weeks after symptoms start.
• Relieve symptoms by drinking cool fluids, eating soft foods (if throat is sore) plus taking painkillers for high temperatures and antihistamines or calamine lotion for itching.

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Slapped cheek syndrome (Fifth disease)

Slapped cheek syndrome gets its name from the bright-red rash that appears on the cheeks of those affected, often looking like the person has been slapped. It’s caused by a virus called parvovirus B19.

If you're pregnant and come into contact with anyone with slapped cheek syndrome, visit your GP or midwife immediately. The virus can be very dangerous for unborn babies.

Slapped cheek syndrome rash symptoms

• Feeling unwell for a few days, including high temperature, runny nose, sore throat and headache.
• A red cheek rash will appear a couple of days after this followed by a raised, itchy, spotty rash across the body.
• Cheek redness and the body rash usually fade within two weeks.

Slapped cheek syndrome rash treatment

• As it’s a virus, there’s no medication for it.
• Relieve symptoms by drinking fluids to prevent dehydration, and giving pain relief for high temperatures, headaches and joint pain.
• Use moisturiser on itchy skin and give antihistamines to relieve the itch.