Common rashes in kids: What to know 

When red, pink or purple bumps or spots show up on your child’s skin, it’s natural to worry. Rashes in kids are common, and some are nothing to worry about. Fortunately, you can take care of most skin rashes at home with medicines you can find online and at your local pharmacy.

Amy Gilliam, M.D., a pediatric dermatologist with Sutter Health, treats a wide range of skin conditions in children. She shares what to look for — and when it’s OK to watch and wait versus when it’s time to reach out to your child’s doctor. 

Hives

If your child has small, itchy welts that appear suddenly and move around their body over minutes or hours, it may be hives (urticaria). Hives can be triggered by foods, environmental allergens like pets or grass, or even a viral illness such as a cold. Most cases can be treated at home.

“You can ease itching and swelling with over-the-counter antihistamines like cetirizine (Zyrtec) or diphenhydramine (Benadryl),” Gilliam says. “But if your child has swelling of the face or lips, or trouble breathing, seek urgent medical care.” 

Contact Allergy Rashes

Contact rashes happen when the skin reacts to something it touches, like sunscreen or poison oak. The rash appears where contact occurred and is often pink, bumpy and itchy.

Start by removing the trigger. Most rashes clear on their own, but 1% hydrocortisone and gentle moisturizers like Aquaphor or Vaseline can help soothe the skin.

“If the rash spreads, becomes very uncomfortable, or the skin looks open or raw, contact your child’s doctor,” Gilliam says. 

Bacterial Rashes

A common bacterial infection that causes a rash in kids is impetigo. Also known as a staph infection, impetigo causes the infected skin to look very red. Sometimes the skin may also be raw and crusty.

“One of the most common locations for impetigo is around the nose,” Gilliam says. “If your child has impetigo, you can first try an over-the-counter topical antibiotic ointment such as Bacitracin, Neosporin or a triple antibiotic product. If the rash spreads to other areas of the body and/or your child has a fever, take your child to the doctor.” 

Medication Side Effect

Sometimes, a rash can be caused by an allergic reaction to a medication, such as an antibiotic. If your child develops a rash while taking antibiotics or another medicine, you should take your child to the doctor, Gilliam says.

“A rash caused by an allergic reaction to the medication usually consists of small red bumps that cover the whole body,” Dr. Gilliam says. “Don’t delay seeking medical attention if the rash is on the lips or eyes and/or the skin looks cracked, raw or is bleeding.” 

Viral Infections

There are many contagious viral infections that can cause a rash in kids. These include fifth disease, also known as the “slapped-cheek rash,” and hand, foot and mouth disease. More serious diseases (such as measles) also have a rash as one of their symptoms.

Since rashes in kids caused by a viral illness are contagious, it’s a good idea to isolate a child with such a rash. Most childcare centers and schools will send children with rashes home and ask that they not return until the rash has either cleared up or been checked out by a doctor.

“If your child has a mild rash with a viral illness and doesn’t have a high fever, watch them at home for a few days to see if the rash goes away by itself,” Gilliam says. “If the rash is itchy or uncomfortable, use over-the-counter antihistamines or 1% hydrocortisone cream to help calm the skin.”

If your child has a rash and a high fever, especially if the fever has lasted for a day or two, contact your child’s doctor for advice. Some conditions that have a rash as a symptom can be very contagious. You may be asked to follow special steps when coming in for your appointment to avoid exposing other people to whatever your child has.

One other type of rash that is caused by a common virus is called molluscum contagiosum. This viral skin infection is harmless, but it can take months and sometimes even years for it to go away. Molluscum contagiosum often affects young children, but adults can get it, too. The rash consists of small, individual, flesh-colored bumps that often have a central dimple.  

These bumps can appear anywhere on the body but are found especially where the skin is dry or where a child might have eczema. Most people get between 10 and 20 bumps on the skin and can pass the infection to others (if the bumps are visible) through either direct skin-to-skin contact or by sharing towels and clothing.

“If molluscum contagiosum lasts longer than a few weeks and doesn’t seem to be going away on its own, it’s a good idea to go to the doctor to make sure this is the correct diagnosis and find out about possible treatment options,” Gilliam says.