Skin rashes in children

Hand, foot and mouth disease causes:

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

There’s no cure for hand, foot and mouth disease. The 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 child must stay away from school or nursery until they’re better.

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

Find out more about hand, foot and mouth disease

Impetigo

Impetigo is a common and highly contagious skin infection.

Impetigo sores usually affect the hands and face, particularly around the nose and mouth.

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.

Speak to your GP practice or pharmacist if a child has symptoms of impetigo. They’ll usually be prescribed an antibiotic cream or tablets. 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.

Find out more about impetigo

Hives (urticaria)

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

• hives
• urticaria
• weals
• welts
• nettle rash

Hives can cause a rash with small, circular patches of raised skin.

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.

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

Find out more about hives

Keratosis pilaris (‘chicken skin’)

Keratosis pilaris is a common and harmless skin condition. It causes small, painless bumps on your skin.

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

Keratosis pilaris causes the skin on the back of the upper arms to become rough and bumpy, as if they’re covered in permanent goose pimples. Sometimes other areas of the body can be affected like the:

• buttocks
• thighs
• forearms
• upper back

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 a child’s rash.

You could use:

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

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

Measles

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.

The spots of the measles rash are sometimes raised and join together to form blotchy patches. They’re not usually itchy.

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. Children may also have a fever and cold-like symptoms.

Phone your GP practice immediately if you think a 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 the infection spreading 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. Children must also drink plenty of water to avoid dehydration.

Find out more about measles

Molluscum contagiosum

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.

A molluscum contagiosum rash causes spots that are about 2 to 5 mm wide. They’re raised and dome-shaped with a shiny white dimple in the centre.

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

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

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

Pityriasis rosea

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

A pityriasis rosea rash is usually ring-shaped. It can grow or spread and there may be more than one rash.

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

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)

Prickly heat (heat rash) is also known as miliaria. It occurs when the sweat ducts in the outer layer of skin (epidermis) are obstructed.

A heat rash causes spots that are 2 to 4 mm wide. Some spots may be filled with fluid.

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.

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

Psoriasis

Psoriasis is a long-lasting (chronic) skin condition. It causes areas of red, flaky and crusty skin.

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

The severity of psoriasis varies from person to person.

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.

Find out more about psoriasis

Ringworm

Ringworm is a highly infectious fungal skin infection. It can cause a ring-shaped rash that’s red or silvery.

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

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.

Find out more about ringworm

Scabies

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.

A scabies rash can appear anywhere but it’s common between the fingers.

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.

Speak to your GP practice if you think A 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.

Find out more about scabies

Scarlet fever

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

Scarlet fever causes a distinctive rough pink and red rash.

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.

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

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

Find out more about scarlet fever

Slapped cheek syndrome

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.

Slapped cheek syndrome can cause a red rash on one or both cheeks.

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.

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.

Find out more about slapped cheek syndrome

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