Skin rashes in children

Skin rashes in children

The most common type of eczema is atopic eczema. This mostly affects children but can continue into adulthood.

More about eczema

Symptoms and treatments

Symptoms

Eczema is a long-term condition that causes the skin to become:

• itchy
• red
• dry
• cracked

Atopic eczema often develops on the:

• backs of the knees
• elbows
• neck
• eyes
• ears

Eczema isn’t a serious condition. But, if your child becomes infected with the herpes simplex virus, it can cause the eczema to flare up into an outbreak of tiny blisters. This is called eczema herpeticum and will cause a fever.

Treatment

Creams and ointments can help eczema symptoms like itching and redness.

You should speak to your GP if you think your child has eczema. They’ll be able to tell you what’s the most suitable treatment.

What to do if a child has a rash

Phone 999 or go to A&E now if:

Your child is unwell with a rash and:

• has a stiff neck
• is bothered by light
• seems confused
• has a high temperature
• has difficulty breathing (you may notice grunting noises or their tummy sucking under their ribs), breathlessness, or they’re breathing very fast
• has a rash that looks like small bruises or bleeding under the skin and does not fade when you press a glass against it
• their skin, lips or tongue look pale, blue, grey or blotchy

On brown and black skin, it may be easier to see the rash or colour changes on the soles of the feet, palms, lips, tongue and inside the eyelids.

Ask for an urgent GP appointment or phone 111 if:

• you’re worried about your child’s rash and you’re not sure what to do

Symptoms and treatments

Symptoms

The affected area will be:

• red
• painful
• swollen
• hot

It often affects the legs, but can occur anywhere on the body. Your child will probably also have a fever.

See your GP immediately if an area of your child’s skin suddenly turns red, hot and tender. If you can’t see your GP on the same day, go to a walk-in centre or minor injuries unit.

Treatment

Cellulitis can usually be diagnosed by assessing the symptoms and examining the skin. It usually responds well to treatment with antibiotics.

Chickenpox is a viral illness that most children catch. It’s most likely to affect children under 10.

More about chickenpox

Symptoms and treatment

Symptoms

An itchy, spotty rash is the main symptom of chickenpox. It can be anywhere on the body. Some children only have a few spots. Others have them all over their body.

The spots turn into fluid-filled blisters. This can be very itchy and some may burst.

These spots crust over to form scabs, which after a while drop off.

Treatment

There’s no treatment for chickenpox. But, you can get remedies from your pharmacy that can help symptoms. These include:

• paracetamol to help bring down a fever
• calamine lotion and cooling gels to ease itching

Erythema multiforme is a skin rash. It’s caused by an allergic reaction to the herpes simplex virus and is usually mild.

Symptoms and treatment

Erythema multiforme causes spots. These look like targets with a dark red centre and paler ring around the outside.

The hands or feet are usually affected first, followed by the limbs, upper body and face.

Your child will probably feel unwell and may have a fever.

In rare cases, erythema multiforme can be triggered by a reaction to certain medications. This can include antibiotics or anticonvulsants. This more severe form is called Stevens-Johnson syndrome and it can be life-threatening.

Treatment

You should speak to your GP if your child has a rash and seems unwell.

Hand, foot and mouth disease is a common, contagious infection.

It’s most common in young children (particularly those under 10). But, it can also affect older children and adults.

More about hand, foot and mouth disease

Symptoms and treatments

Symptoms

Hand, foot and mouth disease causes:

• mouth ulcers
• spots and blisters on the palms of the hands and soles of the feet

Treatment

There’s no cure for hand, foot and mouth disease. Your child’s immune system will fight the virus and it should clear up after about 7 to 10 days.

Hand, foot and mouth disease spreads easily. This means you should keep your child away from school or nursery until they’re better.

Make sure your child drinks plenty of fluid. If eating and swallowing is uncomfortable, give them soft foods like mashed potatoes, yoghurt and soup.

Impetigo is a common and highly contagious skin infection.

More about impetigo

Symptoms and treatment

Symptoms

Impetigo causes sores and blisters.

There are 2 types of impetigo called:

• non-bullous
• bullous

Non-bullous impetigo usually affects the skin around the nose and mouth. It causes sores that burst quickly to leave a yellow-brown crust.

Bullous impetigo typically affects the trunk (the area of the body between the waist and neck). It causes fluid-filled blisters that burst after a few days to leave a yellow crust.

Treatment

Speak to your GP or pharmacist if you think your child has impetigo.

An antibiotic cream or tablets will be prescribed. This should reduce the length of the illness to around 7 to 10 days.

Impetigo isn’t usually serious and often improves within a week of treatment.

Hives is a common skin reaction that often affects children. It can be known as:

• hives
• urticaria
• weals
• welts
• nettle rash

More about hives

Symptoms and treatments

Symptoms

Hives is a raised, itchy rash. It can affect one part of the body or be spread across large areas.

It occurs when a trigger causes high levels of histamine and other chemicals to be released in the skin. These substances cause the blood vessels in the skin to open up, resulting in:

• redness or pinkness
• swelling
• itchiness

There are many possible triggers of hives, including:

• allergens, like food or latex
• irritants, like nettles or medicines
• physical factors, like heat or exercise

Sometimes a cause of hives can’t be identified.

Treatment

A hives rash is usually short-lived and mild. It can often be controlled with antihistamines.

Keratosis pilaris is a common and harmless skin condition.

It usually begins in childhood and gets worse during puberty. Some people find it improves after this and may even disappear in adulthood.

Symptoms and treatment

Symptoms

The skin on the back of the upper arms becomes rough and bumpy, as if it’s covered in permanent goose pimples. Sometimes other areas of the body can be affected like the:

• buttocks
• thighs
• forearms
• upper back

Treatment

There’s no cure for keratosis pilaris. It often gets better on its own without treatment.

But, there are some things you can do that may improve your child’s rash. You could use:

• non-soap cleansers rather than soap
• an emollient to moisturise their skin

Your GP or pharmacist will be able to recommend a suitable cream.

Measles is a highly infectious illness that most often affects young children.

It’s now rare in the UK because of the effectiveness of the measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine.

More about measles

Symptoms and treatments

Symptoms

The measles rash is red-brown blotches. It usually starts on the head or upper neck and then spreads outwards to the rest of the body.

Your child may also have a fever and cold-like symptoms.

Treatment

Phone your GP practice immediately if you think your child has measles.

It’s best to phone before visiting your GP practice as they may need to make special arrangements. This’ll help to reduce the risk of spreading the infection to others.

Measles usually passes in about 7 to 10 days without causing further problems.

Paracetamol or ibuprofen can be used to relieve fever, aches and pains. You should also make sure that your child drinks plenty of water to avoid dehydration.

Molluscum contagiosum is a viral skin infection.

It often affects young children aged between 1 to 5. They usually catch it after close physical contact with another infected child.

Most adults are resistant to the virus. This means they’re unlikely to catch it if they come into contact with it.

Symptoms and treatment

Symptoms

Molluscum contagiosum causes clusters of small, firm, raised spots on the skin.

The condition is usually painless, although some children may experience some itchiness.

Treatment

Molluscum contagiosum usually goes away within 18 months without the need for treatment.

Pityriasis rosea is a relatively common skin condition. Most cases occur in older children and young adults (aged between 10 and 35).

Symptoms and treatments

Symptoms

It causes a temporary rash of raised, red scaly patches. The rash can be very itchy.

Treatment

In most cases, pityriasis rosea clears up without treatment.

It usually takes 2 to 12 weeks to clear. But, in rare cases it can last up to 5 months.

Emollients, steroid creams and antihistamines can be used to help relieve the itchiness.

The rash doesn’t usually leave scars. But, the skin can sometimes be discoloured afterwards.

Prickly heat (heat rash) is also known as miliaria.

It occurs when the sweat ducts in the outer layer of skin (epidermis) are obstructed.

Symptoms and treatment

Symptoms

Heat rash is an itchy rash of small, raised red spots. It causes a stinging or prickly sensation on the skin.

You can get a heat rash anywhere on your body but it often affects the:

• face
• neck
• back
• chest
• thighs

Infants can sometimes get a prickly heat rash if they sweat more than usual. For example, when it’s hot and humid or if they’re overdressed.

Treatment

Heat rash isn’t a serious condition and rarely requires any specific treatment.

Psoriasis is a long-lasting (chronic) skin condition.

More about psoriasis 

Symptoms and treatments

Symptoms

Psoriasis causes red, flaky, crusty patches of skin covered with silvery scales.

The severity of psoriasis varies from person to person.

Treatment

There’s no cure for psoriasis. But, there are treatments to help improve the symptoms and appearance of skin patches. This includes topical corticosteroids like creams and ointments.

Ringworm is a highly infectious fungal skin infection.

More about ringworm

Symptoms and treatment

Symptoms

Ringworm causes a ring-like red or silvery patch on the skin that can be scaly, inflamed or itchy.

Ringworm often affects the arms and legs, but it can appear almost anywhere on the body.

Other similar fungal infections can affect the scalp, feet, groin and nails.

Treatment

Ringworm can usually be easily treated with antifungal medicines. These are available from a pharmacy.

Ringworm of the scalp can cause scaling and patches of hair loss. It’s treated with antifungal tablets, often combined with antifungal shampoo.

Scabies is a contagious skin condition. It’s caused by tiny mites that burrow into the skin.

In children, scabies is usually spread through long periods of skin-to-skin contact with an infected adult or child. For example, during play fighting or hugging.

More about scabies

Symptoms and treatments

Symptoms

Scabies mites leave small, red blotches. These are often found on the palms of the hands or the soles of the feet. In infants, blisters are often found on the soles of the feet.

A scabies rash can be very itchy.

Treatment

Speak to your GP if you think your child has scabies. It’s not usually a serious condition, but it does need to be treated. Your GP will prescribe a lotion or cream.

Scarlet fever is a highly contagious bacterial infection. It usually affects children between 2 and 8. 

More about scarlet fever

Symptoms and treatment

Symptoms

Scarlet fever causes a distinctive pink-red rash. This feels like sandpaper to touch and may be itchy.

Scarlet fever often starts with a sore throat, fever and headache. The rash then develops 2 to 5 days after infection.

The rash usually occurs on the chest and stomach. It then spreads to other areas of the body, like the ears and neck.

Treatment

Speak to your GP if you think your child has scarlet fever.

Antibiotics are used to treat scarlet fever. It usually clears up after about a week.

Slapped cheek syndrome  is a viral infection that’s common in children aged 6 to 10. It’s also known as fifth disease or parvovirus B19. 

More about slapped cheek syndrome

Symptoms and treatments

Symptoms

Slapped cheek syndrome causes a distinctive bright red rash on both cheeks. This can look alarming, but it usually clears up by itself in 1 to 3 weeks.

Treatment

Unless your child is feeling unwell, they don’t need to stay away from school. Once the rash appears, the infection is no longer contagious. But, it’s a good idea to notify your child’s school about the infection.