Common childhood rashes

A rash is a change in how your child’s skin looks or feels. Rashes are common in children and babies. There are many different reasons why your child may develop a rash. Sometimes, a rash can be itchy and appear with other symptoms. Many rashes are harmless. Some can be serious. 

If your child develops a rash, it is important to know if it is serious and a sign of a medical emergency or if your child can wait to see their doctor. 

Read more about serious childhood rashes. 

Below is a summary of rashes that are not itchy and appear without a fever.

Milia (blocked oil glands)

Many newborn babies develop small white spots called milia (Opens in new tab) on their face, especially on their nose. 

Milia are blocked pores. They are not itchy or contagious. Milia usually clear up without treatment within a few weeks.

Erythema toxicum

Many newborns develop a blotchy red skin reaction called erythema toxicum. It can appear between 2 days and 2 weeks after birth. 

Flat, red patches or small bumps often appear first on your newborn’s face and spread to their body and limbs. This rash is harmless and not contagious. It will clear after a few days or a week without treatment.

Baby acne

Your baby may develop pimples on their cheeks and nose during their first few weeks. These pimples usually disappear without any treatment, often within a few months. 

Nappy rash 

Sometimes your child can develop a nappy rash. A nappy rash is inflammation (Opens in new tab) of the skin in the nappy area. It can look red and sore. Nappy rash is usually caused by urine (wee) or faeces (poo) irritating the skin.

To avoid nappy rash, keep the nappy area clean and dry with frequent nappy changes and nappy-free time. You can help protect your baby’s skin by putting on a barrier cream such as zinc or soft white paraffin at each nappy change.

You can treat persistent nappy rash with a medicated cream. 

Do not use talcum powder or antiseptics to treat nappy rash.

If your baby develops a fungal infection, you will need to use an antifungal ointment (Opens in new tab). You can ask your doctor, child health nurse or pharmacist for advice.

Erythema multiforme 

Erythema multiforme (EM) is a rash triggered by an infection such as herpes simplex virus, medicine or an illness. 

Your baby may feel unwell or have a mild fever before their rash appears. Red spots develop on the palms of their hands, soles of their feet and face and then spread across both sides of the body. The spots often become raised or blistered and then develop into round sores.

EM is not contagious. It usually resolves without treatment in 3 to 6 weeks.

Keratosis pilaris (‘chicken skin')

Keratosis pilaris (Opens in new tab) is a harmless condition where your child’s skin becomes rough and bumpy, as if covered in ‘goose pimples’. These bumps most commonly occur on your child’s upper arms and thighs. This rash is not dangerous or contagious. Moisturising regularly can help improve symptoms.

Below is a summary of some rashes that may cause itchy skin. 

Eczema (Atopic dermatitis)

Eczema is a common skin condition. It makes your child’s skin itchy, red, dry and cracked, often in the creases of their knees and elbows.

Eczema commonly starts before your baby is 12 months old. Eczema follows a relapsing-remitting course — this means that there are flare-ups of the rash, followed by periods where there is no rash or a minimal rash.

Eczema management includes preventative treatment such as:

• avoiding things that irritate your baby’s skin
• moisturising regularly
• using bath oil

Treatment of flare-ups may include using steroid or anti-inflammatory creams as your doctor prescribes.

Ringworm (tinea)

Ringworm (Opens in new tab) is a common and contagious skin infection. It causes a ring-like red rash with a clear centre. It usually happens on your child’s scalp, feet and groin, but it can appear almost anywhere on their body.

Ringworm is caused by a fungus, not a worm. It is usually treated with antifungal creams. You should keep your child home from childcare or school until a day after you have started treatment, to prevent spreading the infection.

Prickly heat (heat rash)

Your baby may develop a heat rash (Opens in new tab) if they are in a hot and humid environment. The rash shows as tiny red bumps or blisters on the skin, which can be itchy. 

Cool your baby down by removing them from their humid environment or by applying a cool compress. 

Impetigo (school sores)

Impetigo is a highly contagious bacterial infection of the skin. It causes red sores and blisters that form a yellow crust. It is common in school-aged children.

See your doctor if your child has impetigo. They may prescribe an antibiotic cream, ointment or tablet. This should clear the infection within 7 to 10 days. 

Keep your child home from childcare or school and away from babies until they have started antibiotic treatment. Their sores on exposed skin should be covered up with a waterproof dressing.

Hives

Slapped cheek disease (fifth disease)

Slapped cheek disease is a viral infection that mainly affects pre-school and school-age children. It typically causes a bright red rash on both cheeks that spreads as a ‘lacy’ rash on your child’s body and limbs. Occasionally, it causes a fever.

Slapped cheek disease is usually mild and clears up in a few days without treatment. Your child is contagious before their rash appears, but not once it has appeared.

If you are pregnant and catch the virus, it may cause a type of anaemia in your unborn baby. It can also cause miscarriage. If you think you or your child has slapped cheek disease, you should avoid contact with people who may be pregnant.

Hand, foot and mouth disease

Hand, foot and mouth disease is a mild but highly contagious viral illness. It causes a rash on the palms of your child’s hands, soles of their feet and blisters in their mouth. 

Hand, foot and mouth disease is common in childcare and kindergartens. 

Your child may feel unwell and have a fever. The illness usually lasts about 10 days. 

Children with hand, foot and mouth disease should stay away from childcare or school until all their blisters have dried up.

Hand, foot and mouth disease usually resolves on its own without complications. 

In rare situations, it can be more serious, especially if you have a weakened immune system (Opens in new tab) or are pregnant. Complications include infections of the brain and heart muscle, as well as miscarriage.

It is not the same as the foot-and-mouth disease that affects farm animals.

Roseola infantum

Roseola infantum (Opens in new tab) is a contagious viral infection that can cause cold-like symptoms and a high fever. The high fever may last for a few days. Roseola infantum can also cause some children to have a seizure.

If your child has roseola infantum, they will develop a rash after their fever has gone. The rash looks like raised pink spots and starts on your child’s chest, stomach and back and then spreads to their neck and limbs. The condition is contagious before your child develops symptoms. 

The rash usually lasts 2 to 4 days.

Seizures can look scary but are generally not harmful. Read more about what to do if your child has a seizure.

If your baby has suddenly developed a rash and is having difficulty breathing, they could be having a life-threatening allergic reaction. Follow an ASCIA allergy action plan, if you have one. Call triple zero (000) and ask for an ambulance.

Many childhood rashes go away on their own and do not require any treatment. Other rashes require treatment with various medicines, including ointments and creams. 

Your child’s doctor can examine their rash and discuss treatment options.

The Sydney Children’s Health Network has an informative fact sheet about hives (urticaria) (Opens in new tab). 

The Royal Children’s Hospital Melbourne has a collection of fact sheets about different types of rashes in children (Opens in new tab). 

Learn more about hand, foot and mouth disease (Opens in new tab) with The Royal Children’s Hospital Melbourne fact sheet.

Languages other than English

The Royal Children’s Hospital Melbourne has translated their fact sheet on hand, foot and mouth disease (Opens in new tab) into many community languages. 

Information for Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander peoples

Eczema Support Australia has a collection of resources about eczema (Opens in new tab) for Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander peoples.