Healthy skin is a barrier between the inside of the body and the outside environment. A rash means that some change has affected the skin. In most cases, a rash is a minor problem or is part of an illness that will go away on its own. A rash may be caused by contact with a substance outside the body, such as poison ivy (contact dermatitis), or by other more serious illnesses, such as measles or scarlet fever (strep throat with rash).
Generalized rashes are over the whole body. Ones caused by viruses are more common in babies and young children than in adults. A rash may be caused by a viral illness if the child also has a cold, a cough, or diarrhea, or is in a day care setting with other children who have viral illnesses. Most rashes caused by viruses aren't serious. They usually go away over a few days to a week. Home treatment is often all that's needed to treat these rashes.
After a child has had a rash caused by a virus, their body often builds an immunity to that virus. This immunity protects the child from getting that specific viral illness and rash again. Common rashes caused by viruses include:
Chickenpox (varicella). This rash is a common, contagious illness caused by a type of herpes virus.
Fifth disease. This rash on the face looks like the cheeks have been slapped. It also causes a lacy, pink rash on the arms and legs, torso, and buttocks.
Roseola (roseola infantum). This rash occurs about 3 days after a high fever.
Unknown virus. Sometimes the specific virus that causes a rash is never known.
Localized rashes affect one area of the body. They have many different causes and may go away with home treatment. Common localized rashes that occur during childhood include:
Diaper rash. This rash is caused by rubbing, moisture, chemicals, or bacteria in the baby's urine or stool; substances in disposable diapers; or soaps used to wash cloth diapers.
Impetigo. This bacterial skin infection is caused by strep or staph bacteria.
Heat rash (prickly heat). This rash often is caused by a well-meaning parent dressing a baby too warmly. But it can happen to any baby in very hot weather.
Cold sores. These are sometimes called fever blisters. Cold sores are clusters of small blisters on the lip and outer edge of the mouth. They are caused by the herpes simplex virus.
Contact dermatitis. This rash is caused by contact with a substance, such as food, soap, or lotion, that causes an allergic reaction. Most contact dermatitis is mild. It goes away when your child's skin no longer comes in contact with the substance.
Cradle cap. This is an oily, yellow scaling or crusting on a baby's scalp. It's common in babies and is easy to treat. It's not a part of any illness. A baby can be well cared for and still get cradle cap.
Rashes that may require a visit to a doctor include:
Lyme disease. It's caused by a type of bacteria carried by deer ticks in some areas. A specific expanding red rash usually occurs at the site of the tick bite. It's followed by flu-like symptoms, such as a headache, chills, fever, body aches, and stiffness.
A rash that looks like a sunburn along with a fever of 102°F (38.9°C) or higher. This type of rash may be caused by a rare condition called toxic shock syndrome.
A very rare and serious type of generalized red rash called toxic epidermal necrolysis (TEN). This type of rash may cause the skin to peel away, leaving large areas of tissue that weep or ooze fluid like a severe burn. TEN may occur after the use of some medicines.
To know how serious the rash is, other symptoms that occur with the rash must be looked at.
Check Your Symptoms
Does your child have a rash?
Yes
Rash
No
Rash
How old are you?
Less than 3 months
Less than 3 months
3 months to less than 3 years
3 months to less than 3 years
3 to 11 years
3 to 11 years
12 years or older
12 years or older
Are you male or female?
Male
Male
Female
Female
The medical assessment of symptoms is based on the body parts you have.
If you are transgender or nonbinary, choose the sex that matches the body parts (such as ovaries, testes, prostate, breasts, penis, or vagina) you now have in the area where you are having symptoms.
If your symptoms aren’t related to those organs, you can choose the gender you identify with.
If you have some organs of both sexes, you may need to go through this triage tool twice (once as "male" and once as "female"). This will make sure that the tool asks the right questions for you.
Does your child have a tick bite?
Yes
Tick bite
No
Tick bite
Has your child been bitten or stung by an insect or spider?
Yes
Insect or spider bite or sting
No
Insect or spider bite or sting
Does your baby seem sick?
A sick baby probably will not be acting normally. For example, the baby may be much fussier than usual or not want to eat.
Are there red streaks leading away from the area or pus draining from it?
Yes
Red streaks or pus
No
Red streaks or pus
Does your child have diabetes, a weakened immune system, or any surgical hardware in the area?
"Hardware" includes things like artificial joints, plates or screws, catheters, and medicine pumps.
Yes
Diabetes, immune problems, or surgical hardware in affected area
No
Diabetes, immune problems, or surgical hardware in affected area
Do you think that the rash may have been caused by abuse or neglect?
Yes
Rash may be caused by abuse or neglect
No
Rash may be caused by abuse or neglect
Do you think your baby has a fever?
Yes
Fever
No
Fever
Did you take a rectal temperature?
Taking a rectal temperature is the only way to be sure that a baby this age does not have a fever. If you don't know the rectal temperature, it's safest to assume the baby has a fever and needs to be seen by a doctor. Any problem that causes a fever at this age could be serious.
NOTE: Most people have an average body temperature of about 98.6°F (37°C). But it can vary by a degree or more and still be considered normal. If a low body temperature is your only symptom, it’s usually not something to worry about. But be sure to watch for other symptoms.
High: 104°F (40°C) or higher, oral
High fever: 104°F (40°C) or higher, oral
Moderate: 100.4°F (38°C) to 103.9°F (39.9°C), oral
Moderate fever: 100.4°F (38°C) to 103.9°F (39.9°C), oral
Disease or medicine that causes immune system problems
No
Disease or medicine that causes immune system problems
Does the rash have blisters?
Yes
Rash has blisters
No
Rash has blisters
Does the rash cover:
A rash that covers most of the body is on both sides of the body and on most of the legs, arms, back, or belly. A rash in one area may be just one small patch. Or it may be two or three small patches that cover a small area.
Most of the body?
Rash is all over the body
Or is it in one area?
Rash is in one area of the body
Is the rash a red, peeling rash that leaves very large areas raw and oozing fluid?
Yes
Red, peeling rash with large areas that are raw and ooze fluid
No
Red, peeling rash with large areas that are raw and ooze fluid
Does your child have a sore throat?
Certain illnesses can cause a rash and a sore throat. Your child may need to be seen sooner if he or she has both.
Yes
Sore throat
No
Sore throat
Are there sores or a rash inside the mouth or nose or in the eyes?
Yes
Rash or sores in mouth, nose, or eyes
No
Rash or sores in mouth, nose, or eyes
Has your child had a sore on the skin for more than a week?
Yes
Sore on the skin for more than 1 week
No
Sore on the skin for more than 1 week
Does your child have a new rash in the shape of a band or a strip on just one side of the body?
Yes
New band-shaped rash on one side
No
New band-shaped rash on one side
Do you think that a medicine or a vaccine could be causing the rash?
Think about whether the rash appeared after you began using a new medicine or a higher dose of a medicine. Or did it start after you got a shot or vaccine?
Yes
Medicine may be causing rash
No
Medicine may be causing rash
Is the rash itchy?
Yes
Itchy rash
No
Itchy rash
Is the itching severe?
Severe means that you are scratching so hard that your skin is cut or bleeding.
Yes
Severe itching
No
Severe itching
Has the itching interfered with sleeping or normal activities for more than 2 days?
Yes
Itching has disrupted sleep or normal activities for more than 2 days
No
Itching has disrupted sleep or normal activities for more than 2 days
Does the rash hurt?
Yes
Painful rash
No
Painful rash
Does the rash produce a honey-colored drainage that dries into crusts and covers an area larger than 2 in. (5.1 cm)?
Yes
Honey-colored drainage that dries into crusts and covers more than 2 in. (5.1 cm)
No
Honey-colored drainage that dries into crusts and covers more than 2 in. (5.1 cm)
Has your child had a rash for more than 2 weeks?
Yes
Rash for more than 2 weeks
No
Rash for more than 2 weeks
Many things can affect how your body responds to a symptom and what kind of care you may need. These include:
Your age. Babies and older adults tend to get sicker quicker.
Your overall health. If you have a condition such as diabetes, HIV, cancer, or heart disease, you may need to pay closer attention to certain symptoms and seek care sooner.
Medicines you take. Certain medicines, such as blood thinners (anticoagulants), medicines that suppress the immune system like steroids or chemotherapy, herbal remedies, or supplements can cause symptoms or make them worse.
Recent health events, such as surgery or injury. These kinds of events can cause symptoms afterwards or make them more serious.
Your health habits and lifestyle, such as eating and exercise habits, smoking, alcohol or drug use, sexual history, and travel.
Try Home Treatment
You have answered all the questions. Based on your answers, you may be able to take care of this problem at home.
Try home treatment to relieve the symptoms.
Call your doctor if symptoms get worse or you have any concerns (for example, if symptoms are not getting better as you would expect). You may need care sooner.
If you're not sure if a child's fever is high, moderate, or mild, think about these issues:
With a high fever:
The child feels very hot.
It is likely one of the highest fevers the child has ever had.
With a moderate fever:
The child feels warm or hot.
You are sure the child has a fever.
With a mild fever:
The child may feel a little warm.
You think the child might have a fever, but you're not sure.
Abnormal bleeding means any heavy or frequent bleeding or any bleeding that is not normal for you. Examples of abnormal bleeding include:
Nosebleeds.
Vaginal bleeding that is different (heavier, more frequent, at a different time of month) than what you are used to.
Rectal bleeding and bloody stools.
Bloody or pink urine.
Gums that bleed easily when you eat or gently brush your teeth.
When you have abnormal bleeding in one area of your body, it's important to think about whether you have been bleeding anywhere else. This can be a symptom of a more serious health problem.
Certain health conditions and medicines weaken the immune system's ability to fight off infection and illness. Some examples in children are:
Diseases such as diabetes, cystic fibrosis, sickle cell disease, and congenital heart disease.
Steroid medicines, which are used to treat a variety of conditions.
Medicines taken after organ transplant.
Chemotherapy and radiation therapy for cancer.
Not having a spleen.
Symptoms of infection may include:
Increased pain, swelling, warmth, or redness in or around the area.
Red streaks leading from the area.
Pus draining from the area.
A fever.
Temperature varies a little depending on how you measure it. For children up to 11 years old, here are the ranges for high, moderate, and mild according to how you took the temperature.
Oral (by mouth), ear, or rectal temperature
High: 104° F (40° C) and higher
Moderate: 100.4° F (38° C) to 103.9° F (39.9° C)
Mild: 100.3° F (37.9° C) and lower
A forehead (temporal) scanner is usually 0.5° F (0.3° C) to 1° F (0.6° C) lower than an oral temperature.
Armpit (axillary) temperature
High: 103° F (39.5° C) and higher
Moderate: 99.4° F (37.4° C) to 102.9° F (39.4° C)
Mild: 99.3° F (37.3° C) and lower
Note: For children under 5 years old, rectal temperatures are the most accurate.
Symptoms of serious illness in a baby may include the following:
The baby is limp and floppy like a rag doll.
The baby doesn't respond at all to being held, touched, or talked to.
The baby is hard to wake up.
Symptoms of serious illness may include:
A severe headache.
A stiff neck.
Mental changes, such as feeling confused or much less alert.
Extreme fatigue (to the point where it's hard for you to function).
Shaking chills.
Sudden tiny red or purple spots or sudden bruising may be early symptoms of a serious illness or bleeding problem. There are two types.
Petechiae (say "puh-TEE-kee-eye"):
Are tiny, flat red or purple spots in the skin or the lining of the mouth.
Do not turn white when you press on them.
Range from the size of a pinpoint to the size of a small pea and do not itch or cause pain.
May spread over a large area of the body within a few hours.
Are different than tiny, flat red spots or birthmarks that are present all the time.
Purpura (say "PURR-pyuh-ruh" or “PURR-puh-ruh”):
Is sudden, severe bruising that occurs for no clear reason.
May be in one area or all over.
Is different than the bruising that happens after you bump into something.
Symptoms of a severe allergic reaction (anaphylaxis) may include:
The sudden appearance of raised, red areas (hives) all over the body.
Rapid swelling of the throat, mouth, or tongue.
Trouble breathing.
Passing out (losing consciousness). Or you may feel very lightheaded or suddenly feel weak, confused, or restless.
A severe reaction can be life-threatening. If you have had a bad allergic reaction to a substance before and are exposed to it again, treat any symptoms as an emergency. Even if the symptoms are mild at first, they may quickly become very severe.
A baby that is extremely sick:
May be limp and floppy like a rag doll.
May not respond at all to being held, touched, or talked to.
May be hard to wake up.
A baby that is sick (but not extremely sick):
May be sleepier than usual.
May not eat or drink as much as usual.
Many prescription and nonprescription medicines can cause a rash. A few common examples are:
Antibiotics.
Aspirin, ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin), and naproxen (Aleve).
Pain medicines, such as codeine.
Seizure medicines.
Shock is a life-threatening condition that may occur quickly after a sudden illness or injury.
Babies and young children often have several symptoms of shock. These include:
Passing out (losing consciousness).
Being very sleepy or hard to wake up.
Not responding when being touched or talked to.
Breathing much faster than usual.
Acting confused. The child may not know where he or she is.
Seek Care Today
Based on your answers, you may need care soon. The problem probably will not get better without medical care.
Call your doctor today to discuss the symptoms and arrange for care.
If you cannot reach your doctor or you don't have one, seek care today.
If it is evening, watch the symptoms and seek care in the morning.
Sometimes people don't want to call 911. They may think that their symptoms aren't serious or that they can just get someone else to drive them. Or they might be concerned about the cost. But based on your answers, the safest and quickest way for you to get the care you need is to call 911 for medical transport to the hospital.
Rash, Age 12 and Older
Insect Bites and Stings and Spider Bites
Tick Bites
Self-Care
Most rashes will go away without medical treatment. Home treatment can often relieve pain and itching until the rash goes away.
After a rash appears, leave it alone as much as you can.
Use soap and water sparingly.
Leave the rash exposed to the air whenever you can.
Encourage your child not to scratch the rash.
But if your child has come in contact with a substance that may cause contact dermatitis, such as poison ivy, wash the area with a lot of water right away. If you can, use liquid dish soap or a mild soap and very warm running water.
If your child has a rash, they should not be in contact with other children or anyone who is pregnant. Most viral rashes are contagious, especially if the person also has a fever.
In most cases, itching with a rash isn't serious, but it can be annoying. And it may make a rash more likely to get infected. Rashes caused by chickenpox, eczema, or contact dermatitis are much more likely to itch. Sometimes itching can get worse if you scratch.
Relief from itching
Try these tips to help relieve your child's itching from a rash.
Keep your child's fingernails clean and short.
Encourage your child not to scratch. Cover your baby's hands with socks to help keep your baby from scratching.
Keep your child out of the sun and in a cool place.
Heat makes itching worse.
Keep the itchy area cool and wet if your child is older than age 9 months.
Put cloths soaked in ice water on the rash a few times a day. Too much wetting and drying will dry the skin, which can increase itching. Don't put cloths soaked in ice water on the skin of a baby younger than 9 months. It may cause the baby's body temperature to go down.
Add a handful of oatmeal (ground to a powder) to your child's bath.
Or you can try an oatmeal bath product, such as Aveeno.
Dress your child in cotton clothing.
Don't use wool and synthetic fabrics next to the skin.
Use gentle soaps on your child's skin.
Examples of these soaps are Basis, Cetaphil, Dove, and Oil of Olay. Use as little soap as you can. Don't use deodorant soaps on your child.
Wash your child's clothes with a mild soap.
Try using ones such as CheerFree or Ecover. Rinse twice to remove all traces of the soap. Don't use strong detergents.
Don't let the skin get too dry.
Dry skin can make itching worse.
Try nonprescription medicines for itching.
Carefully read and follow all label directions on the medicine bottle or box.
Try calamine lotion for a rash caused by contact dermatitis, such as poison ivy or poison oak rashes.
For severe itching, apply hydrocortisone cream 4 times a day until the itch is gone.
Do not use the cream on children younger than age 2 unless your doctor tells you to do so. Do not use in the rectal or vaginal area on children younger than age 12 unless your doctor tells you to do so.
If itching affects your child's sleep, ask the doctor about giving your child an antihistamine that might reduce itching and make your child sleepy, such as diphenhydramine (Benadryl). Be safe with medicines. Read and follow all instructions on the label.
When to call for help during self-care
Call a doctor if any of the following occur during self-care at home:
New or worse signs of infection, such as warmth, redness, swelling, pus, or a fever.
Author: Ignite Healthwise, LLC Staff Clinical Review Board All Healthwise education is reviewed by a team that includes physicians, nurses, advanced practitioners, registered dieticians, and other healthcare professionals.
Clinical Review Board All Healthwise education is reviewed by a team that includes physicians, nurses, advanced practitioners, registered dieticians, and other healthcare professionals.
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