Top 11 Rashes in Kids (With Pictures)
Key takeaways:
There are many causes of rashes in kids. Each rash comes with a different pattern of symptoms, and you can tell the difference when you know the signs. But it’s always best to see your pediatrician if you’re concerned.
Usually, rashes don’t need more than a little tender loving care to get by, but there are a few that should raise a red flag to get treatment from a doctor’s office.
If your child has a rash and isn’t feeling well, get advice from your care team on what to do.
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Rashes and children go together like summer and sunshine. There are a lot of different types, they are super common, and they can look different from child to child. Though they may seem scary, most rashes get better without much help. If they don’t, that’s helpful information for your pediatrician. Trust your instincts. You know your child, and even though you may not be able to diagnose the rash, you know if your child is well or not.
Here, we’ll cover some of the most common causes of a new rash in children. Remember that rashes look different on different skin colors. For example, in lighter skin, a rash can look pink or red. In darker skin tones, the same rash may appear purple or brown.
1. Roseola
Roseola is a virus that’s more common in younger children (under 2 years old). It first causes a high fever and then a skin rash. It usually goes away on its own and doesn’t cause any problems.
Cause: Two viruses cause it — human herpesviruses (HHV) type 6 and type 7.
Rash: In lighter skin, the rash causes small, pink, or light-red spots or bumps. In darker skin, the spots may be more brown or purple and can be harder to see. The rash usually starts several days after the fever has gone away.
Body part: The rash usually starts on the body’s core (like the stomach or back) and can spread to the arms, legs, and face.
Other symptoms: Children can have a high fever (102°F or more) that can last up to a week. The child usually feels OK, but they may have cold-like symptoms.
Duration: The fever can last up to a week, and the rash can last up to a few days.
School/day care: Roseola is contagious during the time of the fever. When the fever is gone, and the rash starts, your child is no longer contagious and can go to school.
Treatment: Roseola goes away on its own, so treatment is focused on improving symptoms — like using ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) or acetaminophen (Tylenol) to lower a fever — and keeping your child hydrated.
2. Impetigo
Impetigo is a common and very contagious skin infection. Mild cases may go away on their own, but most children will need treatment with antibiotic creams or pills. It usually goes away with antibiotic cream.
Cause: Most cases are caused by common bacteria — Staphylococcus aureus or Streptococcus pyogenes (also called group A Streptococcus). Impetigo spreads very easily from skin-to-skin contact with infected skin (even in the same person) or contact with infected personal items.
Rash: Impetigo rash is typically made up of sores or tiny blisters. When the blisters burst, they leak a yellow fluid that dries into a golden or “honey-colored” crust. In about a third of cases, the blisters may be larger and deeper in the skin.
Body part: Impetigo can often affect any part of your skin, but it usually happens on exposed areas — like the skin around the nose and mouth, or on the arms, legs, hands, and diaper area. But it can appear anywhere there’s a cut or scratch on the skin.
Other symptoms: The rash can feel itchy and painful. If the skin around the rash looks hot, painful, and swollen — or if your child has a fever — then it could be a sign the infection is spreading.
Duration: With antibiotic treatment, impetigo can heal in about 10 days.
School/day care: Impetigo is very contagious. It’s important to cover the rash throughout treatment. Kids should avoid school and limit contact with other people while the rash is present.
Treatment: Most impetigo is treated with prescription antibiotic cream for about a week. You also need to clean the area with soap and water. If a large area of skin is affected, then treatment may require oral antibiotics (syrup or pills).
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3. Hand, foot, and mouth disease
Hand, foot, and mouth disease (HFMD) is a common childhood illness that spreads quickly because it’s so contagious. It usually isn’t serious, but that doesn’t make it any easier for the little ones experiencing it.
Cause: Different viruses can cause HFMD, but a common one is Coxsackievirus A.
Rash: The rash can look a little different, depending on the cause. But it usually has an itchy skin rash on the hands and/or feet along with painful sores in the mouth. The skin rash starts out as flat, red, or purple spots that turn into blisters, which can cause redness and pain.
Body part: It affects the hands, feet, and the inside of the mouth and surrounding area. But it can also be on the arms, legs, and genital area.
Other symptoms: Your child may feel unwell and have a low fever and a reduced appetite (sometimes from pain with swallowing). In rare cases, the viruses that cause HFMD can involve the nervous system and cause viral meningitis, a more serious infection.
Duration: HFMD takes about 7 to 10 days to resolve. There are no treatments that can cure it faster.
School/day care: HFMD is very contagious, and kids should stay home from school or day care while they are sick.
Treatment: HFMD usually goes away on its own, and treatment isn’t needed other than keeping your child hydrated. Ibuprofen or acetaminophen can help treat fever and any discomfort from the rash.
4. Scabies
Scabies are tiny mites (similar to bugs) that cause a very itchy rash. The mites live in the skin and cause an allergic reaction. They are very contagious and can spread from person-to-person contact.
Cause: The cause of scabies is the mite Sarcoptes scabiei.
Rash: The rash forms tiny bumps that may form a cluster or a line. In darker skin tones, they may be purple or brown. In lighter skin, the bumps may be pink or red. And if your child scratches the rash, there may also be fingernail marks.
Body part: Scabies can affect any part of the body. Babies and young children often have scabies on their head, face, hands, and feet.
Other symptoms: Babies and children with scabies may be irritable and may not want to eat or sleep.
Duration: Scabies won’t go away unless you treat it. This means treating the child and anyone who has had close contact with the child (even if they don’t have symptoms).
School/day care: Scabies is contagious until you treat it. Once your child gets treatment, they can return to school.
Treatment: Treatment involves a medicated prescription cream that’s rubbed all over the skin from head to toe (like permethrin). Another option is a pill called ivermectin, which may be easier to take but can have more side effects. The whole household (and other close contacts) needs to be treated to avoid reinfection.
5. Molluscum contagiosum
Molloscum contagiosum is a common skin infection caused by a virus. It’s annoying and hard to get rid of, but it isn’t actually dangerous. It spreads by touching another person’s rash or items contaminated with the virus.
Cause: The cause of molluscum contagiosum is the Molluscum contagiosum virus (MCV), a type of pox virus.
Rash: The spots start as tiny, skin-colored or pink bumps. As they get bigger (about the size of a pencil eraser), they appear white and have a dimple in the middle. Sometimes, there’s irritation and inflammation of the skin around the spots.
Body part: It can affect any part of the body that touches virus particles.
Other symptoms: Besides itch, molluscum shouldn’t cause any other symptoms.
Duration: Without treatment, it lasts 6 to 12 months. With treatment, it can still take several weeks to months to resolve.
School/day care: Molluscum is quite contagious. But as long as the bumps are well covered (so that no other people or objects come into contact with them), your child can go to school.
Treatment: Molluscum eventually goes away on its own, so treatment isn’t necessary. But some parents opt for treatment to remove the spots. Options include creams (like retinoids) that cause skin irritation to fight off the virus, or physically removing the spots with a small blade or liquid nitrogen spray.
6. Ringworm
Ringworm (Tinea corporis) is a fungal skin infection. Ringworm has different names, depending on the part of the body it affects. For example, on the feet it’s called “athlete’s foot.” And in the groin it may be called “jock itch.” The rash often comes up as an itchy, red ring on the skin or scalp. The infection spreads by skin-to-skin contact or from contact with objects (like towels or clothing) that carry the fungus. Ringworm can infect anyone who comes into contact with it.
Cause: Different types of fungi (plural of fungus) cause ringworm. Fungi like warm, humid locations and can live on your skin and nails. They can also live on surfaces like gymnastic mats, towels, or other personal items.
Rash: A small, raised circle appears and slowly expands. The center of the rash remains clear and looks like a ring. Eventually, several spots can appear. In pale skin, the rash is red. In darker skin tones, the rash can be gray or brown. White scales may also cover the rash.
Body part: It can affect any part of the body, but it usually shows up on the arms or legs because they tend to be more exposed.
Other symptoms: There aren’t any other symptoms — just itching from the rash.
Duration: With antifungal treatment, the infection goes away in 2 to 3 weeks.
School/day care: If your child has a rash, they’re still contagious. But if you can cover the rash with clothing or bandages, your child can go back to school.
Treatment: Ringworm on the skin can usually be treated with over-the-counter (OTC) antifungal creams (like lamisil or lotrimin). Ringworm on the scalp usually needs a prescription antifungal medication that’s taken by mouth for 1 to 3 months (like griseofulvin).
7. Fifth disease
The cause of fifth disease — also known as Erythema infectiosum — is a respiratory virus that infects both adults and children. Though this illness is relatively harmless in children, it can be dangerous for an unborn baby. That’s why you should let your pregnancy care team know if you’re pregnant and you’ve been exposed.
Cause: Fifth disease is caused by parvovirus B19. It spreads through the air in droplets. It commonly causes outbreaks in school-age children.
Rash: Fifth disease rash starts on the cheeks, which is where it gets the name “slapped cheek” rash. In lighter skin, the patches are pink or light red, while in darker skin tones they are darker red or purple. A few days later, a lace-looking rash can appear all over the body.
Body part: The typical rash affects the cheeks first. If a body rash appears later, it typically affects the torso, arms, legs, and even soles of the feet.
Other symptoms: Children with fifth disease usually feel sick. They can have a mild fever, runny nose, diarrhea, vomiting, and a headache before the rash shows up.
Duration: The “slapped-cheeks” rash lasts about 4 to 5 days. The body rash can last about 1 week after that.
School/day care: Children are most contagious right before the rash appears. Once the rash appears, they are no longer contagious and can go back to school.
Treatment: Fifth disease usually goes away on its own, and treatment other than supportive care isn’t needed. This means keeping your child well-hydrated and treating their fever and pain with ibuprofen or acetaminophen.
8. Heat rash
Heat rash goes by a lot of names: miliaria, prickly heat, or sweat rash. It can affect any age, but it’s most common in children and babies. Heat rash isn’t serious or contagious.
Cause: Heat rash happens when sweat glands in the skin get blocked. So, when the body gets hot and sweats, that sweat builds up in your skin and causes tiny bumps.
Rash: Heat rash causes tiny, itchy bumps on the skin. On lighter skin, they can be clear, pink, or red. In darker skin tones, they may look brown, gray, or purple.
Body part: The face, chest, neck, and back are common places younger children can get heat rash. But heat rash can occur anywhere you have sweat glands.
Other symptoms: An infection of the rash, though uncommon, can cause blisters that leak creamy or yellow fluid. That’s a sign they may need treatment. If your child feels unwell with the rash, or has a fever, you should visit your pediatrician for an evaluation.
Duration: It usually lasts 24 to 48 hours if you’re able to stop sweating and avoid things that block the sweat glands (light tight clothing).
School/day care: It’s not contagious, so send them to school!
Treatment: Treating heat rash involves strategies to cool the skin and avoid overheating. Apply cold compresses to the area, use lightweight bedding, and avoid tight-fitting clothes. Calamine lotion and OTC hydrocortisone cream can help in some situations.
9. Hives
Hives, also known as urticaria, cause an intensely itchy skin rash that appears suddenly. It usually happens in response to an allergen — a harmless substance in the environment that triggers an allergy.
Cause: Many different things can cause hives, including allergic reactions (like to a medicine or food) or infections (like from a virus).
Rash: Hives are smooth and raised patches of skin. They’re often circular. In darker skin tones, hives can look the same color as the surrounding skin. In lighter skin, they may be pink or red. Hives range from small (the size of a pencil eraser) to large (the size of your palm or larger).
Body part: Any part of the body can be affected.
Other symptoms: Hives are very itchy. Sometimes, there’s swelling underneath the skin (angioedema) or a severe allergic reaction (anaphylaxis).
Duration: Hives can be acute (short term) or chronic (long term). Acute hives can last from a few hours and up to 6 weeks. Chronic hives last longer than 6 weeks and might come back regularly over months or years.
School/day care: Hives aren’t contagious, and in most cases they go away after a few days. If your child has other symptoms (like difficulty swallowing, mouth swelling, or a racing heart), you should get medical care immediately.
Treatment: Hives caused by a virus usually go away on their own. It helps to avoid known triggers. If your child has signs of a serious allergic reaction (like difficulty breathing) seek emergency medical attention. In other situations, OTC antihistamines (like loratadine), calamine lotion, and cool compresses can help with itchy skin.
10. Poison oak and poison ivy
“Leaves of three, let it be!” The itchy rash caused by touching or coming into contact with poison oak and poison ivy is very common, especially in the summer months.
Cause: The cause of the rash is an allergic reaction to urushiol — an oil in poison oak and poison ivy plants. This oil can stay on objects, like clothes and backpacks, for a long time.
Rash: In lighter skin, the rash is usually pink or has red streaks that can have blisters filled with clear fluid. In darker skin tones, the color may be purple or brown beneath the blisters.
Body part: It can affect anywhere that is exposed to the oil — either by direct contact or contact with contaminated items.
Other symptoms: People have different reactions to poison ivy and oak. Some don’t get very itchy, while others itch a lot and may even notice some swelling of their skin.
Duration: It usually lasts 2 to 3 weeks.
School/day care: The rash is uncomfortable, but it isn’t contagious. Just be sure to clean anything that may have urushiol oil on it. If you send your child to school with something to relieve the itch, they should be fine.
Treatment: Mild poison ivy can be treated with OTC hydrocortisone cream, calamine lotion, and cool compresses. A more severe rash may require prescription strength steroid creams or pills.
11. Swimmer’s itch
Swimmer’s itch (also called Cercarial dermatitis) is an itchy rash that can happen after swimming in freshwater lakes and ponds. It can happen in saltwater, too, but that’s less common. It’s not contagious.
Cause: Swimmer’s itch is caused by an allergic reaction to baby parasites (called larvae) released into the water by infected snails. When these larvae come into contact with people, they burrow into the skin and cause an allergic reaction. This is not an infection. Larvae can’t live on people, and they die soon after burrowing.
Rash: Tiny, red, violet, or skin-colored skin bumps, sometimes filled with clear or white fluid.
Body part: The rash can happen on any part of the skin that’s exposed to the water.
Other symptoms: The first symptoms are skin itching, burning, or tingling — within minutes of leaving the water. Within a few hours, the rash develops.
Duration: The itchy rash can last up to a week.
School/day care: Swimmer’s itch is itchy and uncomfortable. It’s not contagious, however, so children can go to school.
Treatment: Swimmer’s itch eventually fades on its own. Treatment focuses on reducing the itch and making the child more comfortable. Options include OTC remedies like hydrocortisone steroid cream and anti-itch lotions (like calamine), cool compresses, and oatmeal baths.
When a child with a rash needs urgent medical care
There are some signs that a child with a rash needs to be seen urgently by your pediatrician or in the emergency room.
Signs that your child is unwell
If your child has a rash and is unwell, they need medical attention. Some signs that your child is unwell include:
High temperature
Lack of interest in playing, or they aren’t acting like themselves
Being unusually sleepy
Stiff neck
Sensitivity to light
Confusion
Not eating, drinking, or urinating
Abdominal pain
Nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea
Red, cracked lips
Red eyes
Swollen hands or feet
Difficulty breathing or fast breathing
Difficulty swallowing
The bottom line
There are many causes of rashes in kids. In most cases, rashes resolve on their own with time and aren't a reason to worry. We can’t always protect our kids from every illness, but we can figure out which ones are worth losing sleep over. If your child is unwell or just not behaving like normal, seeking medical advice is always the right thing to do.
Images used with permission from VisualDx (www.visualdx.com).
References
Allamon, A., et al. (2015). Common skin rashes in children. American Family Physician.
American Academy of Dermatology Association. (2022). Scabies: Diagnosis and treatment.
American Academy of Pediatrics. (2023). Ringworm — Child care and schools.
American Osteopathic College of Dermatology. (n.d.). Miliaria.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2020). Ringworm.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2020). Scabies frequently asked questions (FAQs).
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2023). About parvovirus B19.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2023). Hand, foot, and mouth disease (HFMD).
Durani, Y. (2023). Roseola. Nemours KidsHealth.
Hartman-Adams, H., et al. (2014). Impetigo: Diagnosis and treatment. American Family Physician.
Oakley, A. (2015). Erythema infectiosum. DermNet.
U.K. National Health Service. Angioedema.