Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsTypes and SymptomsWhen to See a ProviderSoothing a RashReturn to Day Care
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Types and Symptoms
When to See a Provider
Soothing a Rash
Return to Day Care
Viral rashes are common in babies, toddlers, and young children. They often appear as tiny dots, blisters, or blotchy patches. Some form distinctive patterns, while others begin in a specific area and spread to other body parts. For example, roseola starts on the torso and spreads out, and measles begins on the face and spreads down.
These rashesmay occur with a fever or cold symptoms, after a fever breaks, or independently. While most are harmless and clear up independently, some may require medical attention.
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Types and Symptoms of Viral Rashes in Babies
1. Roseola
Roseolais common in kids six months to two years.
Roseola often involves cold symptoms and ahigh fever. Once the fever subsides, a rash that lasts several days may appear. Characteristics of the rash include:
This photo contains content that some people may find graphic or disturbing.See PhotoReproduced with permission from © DermNetdermnetnz.org2023
This photo contains content that some people may find graphic or disturbing.See Photo
This photo contains content that some people may find graphic or disturbing.
Reproduced with permission from © DermNetdermnetnz.org2023
2. Measles
Measles, once a common childhood illness, is rare in areas with high measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccination rates.
Measles often starts with cold-likesymptoms, red eyes, and white spots in the mouth. A few days later, a rash with the following features develops:
3. Chickenpox
Chickenpox, once very common in children younger than 10, is now rare due to vaccination:
Children with chickenpox often have a mild fever, headache, and stomach ache before arash with these features:
This photo contains content that some people may find graphic or disturbing.See PhotoReproduced with permission from © DermNet and © Te Whatu Ora Waikatodermnetnz.org2023
Reproduced with permission from © DermNet and © Te Whatu Ora Waikatodermnetnz.org2023
4. Hand, Foot, and Mouth Disease (HFMD)
HFMDoften affects children under 10, particularly in daycare and during the late summer or early fall.
HFMD often causes a fever, flu-like symptoms,low appetite, and painful swallowing. A rash with the following characteristics appears around the same time.
5. Fifth Disease
Fifth diseaseis a common childhood illness typically affecting kids aged 4-10.
Fifth disease may start with mild flu-like symptoms and this characteristic rash:
Reproduced with permission from © DermNetdermnetnz.org2023.
6. Rubella (German Measles)
Rubella is rare in areas with high MMR vaccination rates. But it can occur in other areas.
Rubella may begin with flu-like symptoms several days before the following type of rash appears:
This photo contains content that some people may find graphic or disturbing.See PhotoReproduced with permission from © DermNetdermnetnz.org2023.
7. Molluscum Contagiosum
Molluscum contagiosumis common in toddlers, especially those in daycare.
A molluscum contagiosum rash involves:
8. Laterothoracic Exanthem
Here’s an overview oflaterothoracic exanthem.
A laterothoracic exanthem rash with the following characteristics starts on one side of the body, near the armpit or groin, and spreads to the other side.
9. Non-specific Viral Exanthem
A non-specific viral exanthem rash can accompany various viral infections.
A non-specific exanthem rash is a general rash involving flat or raised pink or dark spots that look similar among different viruses. It usually clears within five days.
10. Gianotti-Crosti Syndrome (GCS)
GCS, affecting kids aged 1-6, can occur with multiple viruses:
GCS rashes involve:
11. Dengue Fever
Here’s an overview ofdenguefever:
Dengue fever may cause sudden high fever, vomiting, and appetite loss.Rash features include:
This photo contains content that some people may find graphic or disturbing.See PhotoReproduced with permission from © DermNet dermnetnz.org 2023
Reproduced with permission from © DermNet dermnetnz.org 2023
When to See a Healthcare Provider
If your child is active, alert, and drinking well, you can typically manage the virus and rash at home. Contact your healthcare provider or go to urgent care if your child has:
When to Seek Emergency Medical CareSeek emergency medical attention if your child experiences:A high fever that doesn’t improve quicklyA stiff neckBlue or gray skin or lipsConfusionDifficulty breathingDifficulty wakingPersistent vomitingRed or purple spots that don’t fade when pressedSeizuresSwelling of the face, lips, or tongue
When to Seek Emergency Medical Care
Seek emergency medical attention if your child experiences:A high fever that doesn’t improve quicklyA stiff neckBlue or gray skin or lipsConfusionDifficulty breathingDifficulty wakingPersistent vomitingRed or purple spots that don’t fade when pressedSeizuresSwelling of the face, lips, or tongue
Seek emergency medical attention if your child experiences:
Your child can generally return to day care when:
Summary
16 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Ting S, Nixon R.Clinical features of viral exanthems.Aust J Gen Pract. 2021;50(4):231-236. doi:10.31128/AJGP-02-20-5246MedlinePlus.Measles.MedlinePlus.Chickenpox.MedlinePlus.Hand, foot, and mouth disease.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Hand, foot, and mouth disease.MedlinePlus.Fifth disease.Gupta A, Goyal N, Shankar P, Verma M.A study of adult rubella outbreak and its implications on increasing number of women in uniform.Med J Armed Forces India. 2022;78(2):147-150. doi:10.1016/j.mjafi.2020.05.002MedlinePlus.Rubella.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Rubella.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Molluscum contagiosum.Sudipta KR, Bhattacharjee S.Dengue virus: epidemiology, biology, and disease aetiology.Canadian Journal of Microbiology. 2021;67(10):687-702. doi:10.1139/cjm-2020-0572MedlinePlus.Dengue fever.MedlinePlus.Fever.American Academy of Pediatrics.When to keep your child home from child care.Kang SY, Um JY, Chung BY, Kim JC, Park CW, Kim HO.Differential diagnosis and treatment of itching in children and adolescents.Biomedicines. 2021;9(8):919.doi:10.3390/biomedicines9080919Chakraborty A.Bathing practices in dermatology: uses and implications for patient management.Indian Dermatol Online J. 2023;14(5):686-691. doi:10.4103/idoj.idoj_40_23
16 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Ting S, Nixon R.Clinical features of viral exanthems.Aust J Gen Pract. 2021;50(4):231-236. doi:10.31128/AJGP-02-20-5246MedlinePlus.Measles.MedlinePlus.Chickenpox.MedlinePlus.Hand, foot, and mouth disease.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Hand, foot, and mouth disease.MedlinePlus.Fifth disease.Gupta A, Goyal N, Shankar P, Verma M.A study of adult rubella outbreak and its implications on increasing number of women in uniform.Med J Armed Forces India. 2022;78(2):147-150. doi:10.1016/j.mjafi.2020.05.002MedlinePlus.Rubella.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Rubella.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Molluscum contagiosum.Sudipta KR, Bhattacharjee S.Dengue virus: epidemiology, biology, and disease aetiology.Canadian Journal of Microbiology. 2021;67(10):687-702. doi:10.1139/cjm-2020-0572MedlinePlus.Dengue fever.MedlinePlus.Fever.American Academy of Pediatrics.When to keep your child home from child care.Kang SY, Um JY, Chung BY, Kim JC, Park CW, Kim HO.Differential diagnosis and treatment of itching in children and adolescents.Biomedicines. 2021;9(8):919.doi:10.3390/biomedicines9080919Chakraborty A.Bathing practices in dermatology: uses and implications for patient management.Indian Dermatol Online J. 2023;14(5):686-691. doi:10.4103/idoj.idoj_40_23
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Ting S, Nixon R.Clinical features of viral exanthems.Aust J Gen Pract. 2021;50(4):231-236. doi:10.31128/AJGP-02-20-5246MedlinePlus.Measles.MedlinePlus.Chickenpox.MedlinePlus.Hand, foot, and mouth disease.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Hand, foot, and mouth disease.MedlinePlus.Fifth disease.Gupta A, Goyal N, Shankar P, Verma M.A study of adult rubella outbreak and its implications on increasing number of women in uniform.Med J Armed Forces India. 2022;78(2):147-150. doi:10.1016/j.mjafi.2020.05.002MedlinePlus.Rubella.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Rubella.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Molluscum contagiosum.Sudipta KR, Bhattacharjee S.Dengue virus: epidemiology, biology, and disease aetiology.Canadian Journal of Microbiology. 2021;67(10):687-702. doi:10.1139/cjm-2020-0572MedlinePlus.Dengue fever.MedlinePlus.Fever.American Academy of Pediatrics.When to keep your child home from child care.Kang SY, Um JY, Chung BY, Kim JC, Park CW, Kim HO.Differential diagnosis and treatment of itching in children and adolescents.Biomedicines. 2021;9(8):919.doi:10.3390/biomedicines9080919Chakraborty A.Bathing practices in dermatology: uses and implications for patient management.Indian Dermatol Online J. 2023;14(5):686-691. doi:10.4103/idoj.idoj_40_23
Ting S, Nixon R.Clinical features of viral exanthems.Aust J Gen Pract. 2021;50(4):231-236. doi:10.31128/AJGP-02-20-5246
MedlinePlus.Measles.
MedlinePlus.Chickenpox.
MedlinePlus.Hand, foot, and mouth disease.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Hand, foot, and mouth disease.
MedlinePlus.Fifth disease.
Gupta A, Goyal N, Shankar P, Verma M.A study of adult rubella outbreak and its implications on increasing number of women in uniform.Med J Armed Forces India. 2022;78(2):147-150. doi:10.1016/j.mjafi.2020.05.002
MedlinePlus.Rubella.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Rubella.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Molluscum contagiosum.
Sudipta KR, Bhattacharjee S.Dengue virus: epidemiology, biology, and disease aetiology.Canadian Journal of Microbiology. 2021;67(10):687-702. doi:10.1139/cjm-2020-0572
MedlinePlus.Dengue fever.
MedlinePlus.Fever.
American Academy of Pediatrics.When to keep your child home from child care.
Kang SY, Um JY, Chung BY, Kim JC, Park CW, Kim HO.Differential diagnosis and treatment of itching in children and adolescents.Biomedicines. 2021;9(8):919.doi:10.3390/biomedicines9080919
Chakraborty A.Bathing practices in dermatology: uses and implications for patient management.Indian Dermatol Online J. 2023;14(5):686-691. doi:10.4103/idoj.idoj_40_23
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