The Most Common Skin Rashes in Children and Their Causes

Rashes are one of the most common reasons parents of small children visit the doctor. In most cases, however, rashes don't indicate a dangerous condition. If a child is in good general health and has no other symptoms, you can often observe the rash for a few days before taking action. In fact, many types of rashes will disappear without treatment.

But if the rash is accompanied by high fever, breathing difficulties, vomiting, or changes in behavior (your child is acting sick or not like their usual self), take your child to see a doctor.

The same type of rash can have different causes, so let the doctor know what the rash looks like, how widespread it is, how many and how big the marks are, how long the rash has been present, and whether it is itchy. Here's a rundown of different types of rashes in children.

Hives

The most common allergic rash is hives, an extremely itchy rash that consists of raised large welts on the body's surface, often circular with a pale center. Hives can result from an allergic reaction to medicines, foods, viral infections, or insect stings and bites.

The rash moves around the body and usually lasts for three to four days before disappearing. Localized hives usually indicate direct skin contact with a substance that the person cannot tolerate, such as plants, pollen, or foods.

Infected Wounds

An infected wound occurs when a minor wound from skin irritation, scratch, cut, or bite becomes infected by bacteria on the skin's surface or from external sources. The wound becomes red and moist, pus and yellowish scabs appear, and the surrounding skin becomes swollen and tender because of inflammation.

A child's lymphatic nodes may become swollen in the surrounding area, and a fever may develop. If the child scratches the wound, bacteria may spread on the skin and give rise to more sores.

Impetigo

Impetigo can occur on any part of the body that has a wound or break in the skin. A rash usually results from a scratch, bite, or minor irritation that has become infected with Streptococcus or Staphylococcus bacteria. The wound becomes red and moist, with pus and eventually yellowish scabs.

If a child scratches the wound, the bacteria may spread on the skin and cause more sores that develop over the course of a few days and last four to six days before drying up and forming scabs. It is usually treated with topical or oral antibiotics.

Cellulitis

Cellulitis is a localized skin infection caused by Streptococcus bacteria. The skin becomes swollen, hot, and red in one area that is clearly delineated from healthy skin. Often, there is no obvious entry point in the skin for the bacteria. Sometimes it can be accompanied by fever and a reduced general condition. Cellulitis should be evaluated and treated promptly, as the infection may spread rapidly.

Fungal Rash

Fungal rashes are skin infections caused by two specific types of fungi: tinea and candida. Tinea infections, also known as ringworm, are oval or ring-shaped lesions with normal-looking skin in the middle and an itchy, scaly, and slightly raised edge around it. The rash can be found on the scalp, face, body, or nails.

Candida infections may occur in babies as oral thrush, as a white coating on the tongue or mouth mucosa or as a shiny, red rash in the diaper region (infected diaper rash). Candida infections may occur in children of any age. They are usually located in the folds of moist skin, such as under a baby's chin or the cracked skin between toes, accompanied by itching and sometimes nail discoloration (athlete's foot).

Scabies

Scabies is a skin infection caused by the itch mite. The female mite burrows into the skin in areas like between the fingers, in the wrist area, and in the armpit. Babies can get scabies on the palms of their hands and soles of their feet.

Scabies cause intense itching, which can lead to the formation of sores, blisters, scabs, and the possibility of secondary bacterial infection. Occasionally, it is possible to observe tiny gray burrows in the skin made by the mite. Scabies is quite contagious, so prompt treatment by your physician is recommended.

Head Lice

Lice are insects that lay eggs while attached to the hairs of the head. The eggs hatch after approximately one week and cause itching on the scalp. Head lice are commonly found on the hairline, on the neck, and behind the ears, and they can be seen using a magnifying glass and lice comb. Although lice are quite contagious, it is important to remember that they do not cause disease and will not make children sick. Proper treatment will kill the lice and prevent their spread.

Warts

Warts are a common childhood viral skin disease. There are several types and they can be found either individually or in clusters, usually on the fingers, hands, and feet. Most warts have a hard, rough surface and are slightly raised on the skin surface, but those on the sole of the foot (plantar warts) are pressed flat by body weight. Warts tend to disappear on their own without treatment, but they may return; plantar warts often require treatment.

Molluscum Contagiosum

Molluscum contagiosum is another common childhood rash caused by a virus. The rash takes the form of tiny, raised bumps ("mollusks") on the skin surface that are 2 to 5 millimeters in diameter. The color of the rash varies but is often similar in color to the child's unaffected skin. Each bump has a little dent in the center.

They usually do not bother the child, but they may be tender or itchy, so the child may tear and infect the skin by scratching. The "mollusks" can be found all over the child's body, individually or in clusters. Usually, they disappear without treatment after a few weeks, or they may persist for several months or years. Treatment is not usually recommended.

Eczema

There are three common types of eczema: atopic dermatitis, seborrheic dermatitis, and contact dermatitis.

Atopic dermatitis

Atopic dermatitis is a chronic skin rash that affects children in families with a history of allergies. The rash is usually dry and itchy, and the skin becomes red, irritated, and scaly. Scratching may lead to breaks in the skin, which can cause secondary infection and scarring.

Seborrheic dermatitis

Seborrheic dermatitis (also known as seborrhea) affects children under age 2 and is most common in infants from 0 to 3 months. The cause is unknown, but it is thought to be a disturbance in the skin's production of sebaceous matter and sweat.

Unlike atopic eczema, the rash is not particularly itchy and is dry, red, and slightly flaky. Seborrhea is usually localized to the face, neck, chest, folds of skin, and the diaper area. Infants may develop yellowish scabs on the scalp, called cradle cap. This rash generally disappears after a few months.

Contact dermatitis

Contact dermatitis occurs when certain substances, such as nickel, cosmetics, creams, and detergents, irritate the skin and cause a hypersensitivity reaction. The skin becomes red and angry-looking, occasionally giving rise to raised papules or vesicles in the affected areas of the skin. The rash is often itchy but may also be moist with blisters. Poison ivy is an example of contact dermatitis.

Diaper Rash

Diaper rash occurs in the diaper area when the skin becomes moist, red, and irritated because of urine and stool. This irritation can cause tiny openings in the skin, which allow bacteria or fungi to invade and cause a secondary infection that makes the rash worse.

Rubella and Measles

In addition to a generalized rash of small, flat red spots, symptoms of rubella and measles viruses include fever, malaise, and cough. Rubella and measles have become rare diseases in the U.S. because most children are vaccinated against the viruses at 15 months and then again between the ages of 4 and 6. Even though rubella has been totally eliminated from the U.S., immunization continues because of rubella in other countries.

Chicken Pox

The chickenpox (varicella) rash begins as red marks on the face and body that resemble mosquito bites. Within a few hours, the marks develop into fluid-filled blisters that later burst and leave scabs. Chickenpox is easily recognized because the skin around the vesicles is normal. Other symptoms include fever, congestion, and blisters in the mouth.

Because the rash is extremely itchy, it's best to prevent the child from excessive scratching, as there is a risk of bacterial infection in the skin, which can spread to other organs. Bacterial infections can also lead to wounds and scars.

Chickenpox is quite contagious, and it is common for children at home or daycare to have it simultaneously. After five to seven days, all the pox will be dry scabs, which means the child is no longer contagious. Most children in the U.S. now receive the chickenpox vaccine.

Scarlet Fever

Scarlet fever is caused by a Streptococcal infection of the throat. Symptoms include a sore throat, a high fever, and a rash that begins on the neck and face but then spreads down through the body. The skin reddens, and there are small, sandpapery bumps. The area around the mouth is often spared and appears pale.

After five to six days, the rash disappears, and the child's skin often begins to peel, especially on the fingertips. If your child has scarlet fever, consult a physician to be tested for strep throat and treated with antibiotics.

Mononucleosis

Mononucleosis, often called mono, is a viral infection that often affects school-age children and adolescents. Symptoms include a sore throat, considerable difficulty swallowing, fever, and enlarged lymph nodes in the neck. The rash is nonspecific, pink, and prominent on the torso.

Roseola

Roseola (also known as sixth disease) is a viral disease that results in a very high fever, which lasts three to four days with few other symptoms. The fever then drops suddenly, and within a few hours, a rash appears. The rash is nonspecific, pale pink, and mostly widespread on the neck and chest. It is not itchy, fades when pressure is applied, and disappears within one to two days. Typically, a child with roseola will be crankier when the rash appears than during the fever.

Fifth Disease

Fifth disease is another viral disease that begins with mild cold symptoms and fever. It's caused by parvovirus B19, and the distinctive rash appears after about a week. Significant redness on the cheeks and paleness around the mouth gives the appearance of a slapped cheek. In some children, the rash spreads down the body, but the palms of the hands and the soles of the feet are often not affected. The rash can have a lacy appearance, might be itchy, and usually lasts one to three weeks.

Hand, Food, and Mouth Disease

Hand, foot, and mouth disease is caused by the coxsackie virus, which produces little vesicles, or blisters, in the mouth, on the fingers, or on the feet. It is commonly seen in children under age 4, and symptoms include fever and blisters in the mouth that make it difficult to eat. The disease normally runs its course over a few days, but the sores in the mouth can last longer. Children can get this illness more than once.

Lyme Disease

Lyme disease is caused by an infection transmitted through a tick bite. A rash usually appears two to six weeks after the tick bite, along with flu-like symptoms (such as fever, headache, and body pains). The rash usually appears as a red, circular area around the tick bite (there may be more than one), which spreads outward like a target. Lyme disease can also present without a rash and cause joint pains, chest pains, headaches, or neurological problems a few months later.

Acne

Acne is a common rash in teenagers and results from hair follicle blockage resulting from an increase in the production of sebaceous matter in the skin. This will lead to localized skin inflammation with red papules or fluid-filled pimples called pustules. If not treated properly, acne may become severe, with cysts that can lead to scarring.