Itching and scratching and red patches, oh my. At some point or another, your baby or toddler will likely get hit with an uncomfortable rash. Most of the time, rashes are no big deal and go away on their own, or with a little help from at-home care or a doctor-prescribed medication.
So what should you do when you spot a spot (or bumps, or hives)? As a rule of thumb, if your munchkin's rash isn't bothering her, it likely isn't cause for worry (though you should always call the doctor if you're concerned or if you want some reassurance). Just keep your cutie comfortable and sit tight until her skin is back to normal.
Want to learn a little more about what you might be dealing with? Check out the list below for a look at the most common types of rashes in young children, including where they come from and how to identify them.
Types of skin rashes in kids
Figuring out what's behind your baby or toddler's rash can take a little detective work. It starts with paying close attention to the appearance of the rash and considering the possible contributing culprits.
Once you know what you're dealing with, you can take at-home measures to make your little one more comfortable or call the pediatrician to have the spot checked out (and always reach out to the doctor whenever you’re unsure).
Diaper rash
What it is: Most babies and toddlers will develop a red, patchy rash around their genital area or buttocks at some point during the first few years.[1]
Causes: Urine and stool in particular can irritate the skin, and going longer than usual between changes can sometimes lead to a rash. Less commonly, diaper rashes can be caused by yeast infections, bacterial infections or an allergy to an ingredient in a diaper or wipe. Diarrhea can make diaper rashes more likely too.
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What it looks like: Your little one will probably have a bright red, tender-looking rash on flat areas around her genitals or buttocks. (Skin folds are less prone to diaper rash.) Diaper rash caused by yeast or bacterial infections might have sharp edges, pimples, weeping or crusting. Rashes from an allergy may resemble small bumps, like hives. Regardless of the cause of the diaper rash, your baby might seem uncomfortable and fuss when you change her.[2]
Eczema
What it is: Also called atopic dermatitis, eczema is a chronic condition marked by dry, inflamed or itchy skin patches. Flare-ups come and go, but eczema can often be managed by keeping skin hydrated and avoiding known triggers.[3]
Causes: Experts aren’t sure exactly what causes eczema, though genetics play a role and it’s also associated with allergies and asthma. Kids (and adults) with the condition have skin that isn't able to protect itself as well from environmental irritants and allergens — dust, scratchy fabrics, soaps and detergents, and some foods are common culprits. As a result, exposure to the irritants tends to make skin flare up.
What it looks like: Eczema patches tend to be dry, red and very itchy. They can get leathery or scaly, oozy or crusty, and sometimes become swollen. These skin patches are also prone to becoming infected with bacteria.[4]
Bug bites
What they are: Bites and stings from bees, wasps, mosquitos, ticks and fire ants can all lead to red, swollen skin. In rare cases, a bug bite can also trigger anaphylaxis, a severe allergic reaction that causes the airways to swell up.
Causes: When an insect bites or stings, the body reacts to the bug’s saliva or venom by becoming inflamed.
What they look like: Depending on the insect that delivered it, bug bites can be itchy and annoying to downright painful. Some, like mosquito bites or bee stings, cause small red welts, while tick bites can lead to the formation of a bull’s-eye-like rash.[5]
Dry skin
What it is: You probably know the look and feel of parched skin in need of extra hydration, since you’ve likely dealt with it yourself.
Causes: Baby skin is extra sensitive and produces fewer moisturizing oils, making it prone to dryness from very cold or dry air, long or very hot baths, or irritating soaps or detergents. Toddlers with dry skin can be prone to the same triggers too, and can also develop dry, red patches on the face from teething-related drooling.
What it looks like: Dry skin can look tight, rough or flaky. It can sometimes turn red and itchy, and might crack or peel.[6]
Roseola
What it is: Sometimes called sixth disease, roseola is a viral infection that most often affects little ones aged 6 months to 2 years, though kids between 3 months and 4 years are all susceptible. There aren’t any treatments, but the virus will clear on its own in about a week.[7]
Causes: Roseola is caused by two viruses that belong to the same family as the herpes simplex virus (HSV), but unlike herpes, roseola doesn’t cause cold sores or genital warts. The infection is highly contagious and can be spread through sneezing, coughing or touching contaminated surfaces.
What it looks like: The infection starts off with a high fever, sore throat, runny nose, irritability and redness around the eyes. After a few days, a pink or rose-colored rash starts to form around the torso and gradually spreads outward. The rash doesn’t usually itch.
Food allergy
What it is: Affecting up to 6% of children, food allergies occur when the body’s immune system sees a certain food as dangerous and overreacts by launching a protective response in the form of an allergic reaction.
Causes: Eating or touching an allergenic food, or in some extreme cases even being near the food, can trigger a reaction. Common allergens include eggs, milk, peanuts, tree nuts, fish, shellfish, wheat and soy.
What it looks like: Allergic reactions can cause a number of different symptoms, including a red, itchy rash or hives, as well as nausea or vomiting, watery eyes, and sneezing or wheezing. Very serious reactions could lead to swelling of the lips or tongue or trouble breathing. Allergic reactions to food usually start within minutes, but they can occur up to two hours after exposure.[8]
Hand, foot and mouth disease
What it is: A childhood virus that most commonly affects kids under 5, particularly in the summer and early fall.
Causes: Hand, foot and mouth disease is caused by a highly contagious virus that can be spread through contact with saliva, stool, contaminated surfaces, or the lesions of an infected person.
What it looks like: The infection starts off with mild flu-like symptoms like fever, sore throat and runny nose, followed by blister-like rashes in the mouth, on the fingers or palms, soles of feet, or buttocks. Blisters in the mouth or throat can be painful.[9]
Fifth disease
What it is: A mild viral illness that’s especially common in kids ages 5 to 15 but can also occur in babies and toddlers. Adults can get it too, and it can cause complications in pregnant women. If you’re pregnant and think you might have been exposed to fifth disease, call your practitioner right away.[10]
Causes: Fifth disease is caused by the parvovirus B19 and can be spread by coughing or sneezing. The rash itself isn’t usually contagious.
What it looks like: A child with fifth disease will have a low fever and cold-like symptoms for several days, and as those symptoms start clearing up, a blotchy red rash forms on the cheeks. The rash usually spreads to other parts of the body, becomes itchy, and can look lacy or net-like.[11]
Hives
What they are: A common skin condition marked by red, raised bumps.
Causes: Viral infections are the most common trigger, but hives can also stem from bacterial infections; food or drug reactions (like antibiotics); exposure to irritants, pollen, or plants; and bug bites or bee stings. But more than 30% of the time, the cause of hives remains unknown.
What they look like: Hives tend to look like welts with a white center and form in clusters. They can itch, sting or swell, but sometimes they won’t bother your child at all. Hives might be accompanied by a stomach ache, nausea or vomiting, and in severe cases, anaphylactic shock.
Sunburn
What it is: Most of us have experienced sunburn at some point or another: This warm, red rash feels mildly irritating and itchy at best — and painful, tender and swollen at worst.
Causes: Sunburn can develop after prolonged exposure to the sun’s UV rays (even on a cloudy day or when wearing sunscreen). Infants are particularly susceptible, since their skin is so thin and delicate.
What it looks like: You might not notice your child’s sunburn until a few hours after exposure. Her skin will look pink or red and feel warm to the touch. The worse a burn is, the more likely it is to be painful and swollen. Severe burns can blister. Regardless of the severity, if your child is under 1 and develops a sunburn, you should call the pediatrician as soon as possible.[12]
Contact dermatitis
What it is: If your sweetie develops a rash within hours or days of direct contact with an allergen or irritant, she's probably dealing with contact dermatitis. The rash can be itchy and uncomfortable, but it's not contagious. Once you identify the likely offender and start steering clear, the rash should go away within a few weeks. If it's severe, your child's pediatrician might recommend a topical steroid to speed up healing.
Causes: Personal care products (like soaps or lotions), fragrances, cleaning products or laundry detergents can all trigger contact dermatitis. One of the most common culprits in kids is nickel, a metal that often shows up in toys, jewelry and belt buckles. Plants like poison ivy can trigger contact dermatitis too.
What it looks like: Rashes caused by contact dermatitis tend to be red and swollen, and cause pain, burning or stinging. In some cases they can form blisters and start to ooze or flake.
Poison ivy
What it is: A form of contact dermatitis, poison ivy is an itchy rash that develops after touching a poison ivy, poison oak or poison sumac plant. The rash isn’t contagious, but it can make your little one uncomfortable — and could potentially become infected.[13]
Causes: Poison ivy, oak and sumac contain urushiol, an oil that triggers an allergic reaction on the skin for most people.
What it looks like: Poison ivy rashes are red and itchy, and may become blistered or swollen. The rash, which might look like a straight line, can form within 12 to 48 hours after exposure to the plant and take a few weeks to clear up. If the rash gets infected, it might become warm or swollen or start to ooze pus.[14]
Chickenpox
What it is: A highly contagious viral infection marked by a red, itchy, dot-like rash. It most often occurs in children under 15, but has become much less common since the chickenpox vaccine was introduced in the 1990s.[15]
Causes: Chickenpox is caused by the varicella-zoster virus and spreads through close contact with an infected person.
What it looks like: A chickenpox rash is red and itchy, and may first show up on the face, chest and back before spreading to the rest of the body. The rash forms fluid-filled blisters and eventually starts to scab. The virus can also cause a fever, headache, fatigue and loss of appetite.
Ringworm
What it is: A fungal infection that can form on the scalp or body. Ringworm infections are usually mild, but the rashes they cause can make your little one uncomfortable. Depending on the severity, it can be treated with OTC or prescription antifungal creams.
Causes: Ringworm can be spread by contact with infected people or animals (like cats or dogs), as well as by sharing brushes, hats or towels.
What it looks like: Ringworm infections are marked by red, scaly patches that can grow round and ring-like, though not everyone will develop the ring. Your child can have a single patch or several of them. Ringworm on the scalp can sometimes cause hair to fall out around the rash.[16]
Impetigo
What it is: A common — and very contagious — bacterial skin infection that mostly affects babies and kids, marked by crusty red sores. Impetigo is treatable with antibiotics, either topical creams or oral meds.
Causes: Impetigo can form when streptococci or staphylococci bacteria infect a child’s broken skin, which can happen from a cut, scrape, bug bite or chickenpox blister. The bacteria can spread from contact with an infected person, especially in warm, humid weather.
What it looks like: An impetigo rash is marked by red, oozy sores that turn brown and crusty. They often form around the mouth and nose but can easily spread to other parts of the body, including the diaper area.[17]
Measles
What it is: A highly contagious viral infection marked by flu-like symptoms and a rash. Measles can lead to serious complications in children, including hearing loss, pneumonia and swelling of the brain. The MMR vaccine — which is given at ages 12 to 15 months and again at 4 to 6 years — protects against measles, but unvaccinated babies and children are vulnerable to outbreaks.[18]
Causes: Measles spreads like the common cold — by coughing, sneezing, breathing or even touching an infected surface.
What it looks like: Measles starts with a high fever, coughing, a runny nose and red, watery eyes. Tiny white spots start to appear on the skin two to three days later, and a day or two after that, a rash marked by flat red spots appears on the face. From there, the spots move down the body and can join together to form splotches.
Scarlet fever
What it is: A rash that can develop when your little one has strep throat. Like strep, scarlet fever is rare in children under 3, but it’s still possible for a baby or toddler to get infected. It’s usually treated with antibiotics.[19]
Causes: Strep throat and scarlet fever are bacterial infections that spread by coughing, sneezing, or sharing plates or glasses.
What it looks like: Scarlet fever starts off as strep throat, which usually includes a fever, sore throat and a headache. If the strep morphs into scarlet fever, your child will develop a slightly raised red rash on her torso, arms or legs with a rough, sandpaper-like feel. Her tongue might be coated in white and then turn very red too.
Lyme disease
What it is: An infection caused by bacteria that can be transmitted through the bite of blacklegged (deer) ticks. Because babies don’t usually spend time playing outside on the ground where ticks might lurk, they’re much less likely to get Lyme disease than toddlers and older kids.
Causes: Lyme disease is transmitted from the bite of an infected blacklegged or deer tick. Your child is more likely to get bitten if she spends a lot of time outdoors in wooded or grassy areas, especially if her skin is exposed.
What it looks like: A common early sign of Lyme disease is a red, bull’s-eye rash along with flu-like symptoms. If caught early, Lyme disease is highly treatable with antibiotics. Untreated Lyme disease can cause serious complications over time, including joint pain and meningitis.[20]
When to call the doctor about a baby or toddler skin rash
Unless you can easily identify the rash as something that can be managed at home, such as diaper rash, it's always a good idea to give your child's pediatrician a heads-up about a new rash on your child. That's especially true if:
- The rash is around your child's eyes
- The rash has red, blue or purple dots
- The rash is crusty, blistered or oozing
- Your child is experiencing a fever, dizziness, shortness of breath, vomiting, neck stiffness or any other symptoms that you find concerning
A rash on your sweetie's skin might look a little alarming, not to mention feel uncomfortable for her, but rashes in babies and toddlers are usually nothing to be too worried about. Your best bet is to keep an eye on it and check in with the pediatrician for advice on how to keep your child comfortable. With a little TLC, the rash should clear up in no time.
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