Baby & Childhood Rashes - General Information

What are baby and childhood rashes?

Rashes are common in babies and young children. It can sometimes be difficult to know what rashes are normal and what is not. It can also sometimes be hard to find the right treatment and safe treatment for your child. 

Here are some of the most common rashes you might see in your baby:

1. Eczema: This rash appears as red, itchy, and dry patches on the skin. To prevent eczema, use a soap-free wash and regular moisturiser. 

2. Diaper rash: This rash appears as red, irritated skin in the diaper area. It can be caused by wet diapers, friction, or a yeast infection. To prevent diaper rash, change your baby's diaper frequently, use gentle wipes, and apply diaper cream.

3. Baby acne: This is common in newborns and does not cause true pimples. Little red bumps and pustules appear all over the face and scalp. This usually resolves on its own. 

4. Miliaria: otherwise known as heat rash. It often affects the forehead, neck and occluded areas of the body in the first few weeks of life. It settles within a few days on cooling and removing occlusive clothing.

5. Toxic erythema of the newborn: This has a very scary name, but is completely harmless. It looks like little pink or red bumps on the face and body. 50% of newborn babies will have this and it clears up completely after a few days. 

Here are some common rashes you might see in your child:

1. Eczema: It is common for untreated eczema to continue in toddlers and children. It is itchy, uncomfortable and can even lead to skin infections. It is important to make sure you have the right diagnosis and treatment plan for your child’s eczema.

2. Psoriasis: Psoriasis is much less common than eczema in children. It looks like scaly pink patches, and commonly affects the ‘extensor’ areas. This means the outer areas of the arms (elbows) and legs (knees). 

3. Psoriasiform dermatitis: Some children will have a mix of both eczema and psoriasis. This can look different to both and is often more difficult to treat compared to eczema. 

4. Viral rash: This rash is caused by a viral infection, such as roseola or fifth disease. It appears as pink, flat or raised spots that usually start on the trunk and spread to the limbs. Most viral rashes go away on their own, but if your child has a fever or other symptoms, call your local doctor.

5. Chickenpox: This rash appears as itchy blisters that spread across the body. It is caused by the varicella-zoster virus and can be prevented with the chickenpox vaccine.

6. Hand, foot, and mouth disease: This rash is caused by the coxsackievirus and usually affects children under 5 years old. It appears as small, painful blisters in the mouth, on the hands, and on the feet. Hand, foot, and mouth disease usually goes away on its own, but if your child has a fever or other symptoms, call your local doctor.

When should you see a dermatologist on Virtual Dermatology?

If your baby or child is well, and has a rash that is not going away with standard treatments, our dermatologists may be able to help by finding out what the cause is, and how to treat it. They can also provide advice on how to prevent it from happening again in the future. It is important to diagnose the rash first, as the treatment of different types of rashes can vary greatly. 

When should you contact your local doctor or seek emergency medical care?

If your baby or child has a fever or is otherwise unwell, you should contact your local doctor or seek emergency medical care. Virtual dermatology cannot provide the urgent care that is required for an unwell child with a rash.