Common Skin Rashes in Children

Common skin rashes in children can be easily identifiable, such as those caused by diaper rash or an insect bite. Pictures of skin rashes can help you to recognize ringworm, measles, and more when you just aren't sure or you haven't seen a new rash pattern before.

Often, a child's skin rash can be treated at home. However, it's still a good idea to have your child evaluated by a healthcare provider so you can be certain about the cause and what the diagnosis means.

This article presents 15 common skin rashes in children with photos of rashes. It will give you a sense of what common childhood skin rashes look like so you can learn what you may (or may not) be dealing with.

An illustration of a parent applying calamine lotion to a child.

Illustration by Zoe Hansen for Verywell Health

Bug Bite

big mosquito bite

dorioconnell / Getty Images

No matter how careful you are about using insect repellents, it is likely that your child will occasionally get a bug bite. Bug bites can be scary for parents because even a normal reaction can include:

  • Redness
  • Swelling
  • Warm skin

The majority of bug bites, whether by insects such as an ant, chigger, or wasp, aren't dangerous. The only exception is if your child is allergic to the insect and having an allergic reaction. Even spider bites, which often resemble regular bug bites, aren't that dangerous unless caused by a:

Regular use of insect repellents can help your kids avoid many bug bites.

If your child's bug bite becomes infected, then the redness, swelling, pain, fever, and any other symptoms will likely get worse a few days after the bug bite. Any spreading redness or swelling on the first day of the bite is probably because of the initial bug bite and not a sign of an infection.

Is Your Child's Rash Serious?

A child's rash can be serious when it's a symptom of an allergic reaction to an insect sting or other trigger. A severe reaction, called anaphylaxis, can be life-threatening when the rash is associated with difficulty breathing and dropping blood pressure. Also call your provider if your child has a high fever with a rash for several days, which can indicate an infection or a condition like Kawasaki disease.

Chickenpox

A child with chicken pox.

Joanne Green / Getty Images

The most notable symptom of chickenpox is a rash that turns into itchy, fluid-filled blisters that eventually scab over. The chickenpox rash starts on the chest, back, and face before spreading to the rest of the body. 

Other symptoms of chickenpox typically include:

  • Fever
  • Malaise (general sense of feeling unwell)
  • Fatigue
  • Headache

Some kids also may experience mild abdominal pain or a lack of appetite.

Chickenpox is contagious from one to two days before the rash and up to six days after blisters form.

Severe cases requiring medication typically affect adults and aren't seen in kids, so there may be no treatment needed other than steps to relieve the symptoms. Calamine lotion and cool baths with added baking soda or colloidal oatmeal may help soothe the itch of a chickenpox rash.

Complications of chickenpox can occur, though, including dehydration and bacterial infections in children.

Cold Sores

This photo contains content that some people may find graphic or disturbing.

Close up of child with a cold sore

somethingway / Getty Images

Some children get cold sores on a regular basis. These sores often occur on the same spot on the face or lip. Children will often feel some pain, burning, or itching at the site of the cold sore before it appears.

Symptoms of cold sores include:

  • A group of vesicles (small, fluid-filled blisters) appearing on a red area of skin
  • Vesicles that quickly develop a crust on them

Although several medicines are available to treat cold sores in children, a commonly prescribed drug is Zovirax (acyclovir). This cold sore medicine must be used four to five times a day. You should start using the medicine as soon as the cold sore develops in order for it to be effective.

Not all experts agree that Zovirax is useful for treating cold sores in children. Even if you don't treat them with medicine, cold sores usually go away in seven to 10 days.

Atopic Dermatitis

eczema
Jiblet/Getty Images

Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a long-term (chronic) skin condition that causes dry, itchy skin. AD is a common type of eczema and mostly affects children. 

Atopic dermatitis is often called “the itch that rashes” because it begins with itchy skin. Scratching the itchy skin causes a rash to appear.

AD rashes affect different parts of the body depending on age:  

  • In infants and toddlers, the rash usually starts on the face, outside of the elbows, and on the knees. 
  • In older children, the rash tends to be on the hands and feet, the arms, and on the back of the knees. 

The color of the rash can also vary from one child to another. Rashes tend to look purple, darker brown, or ashen grayish in darker skin tones, and red in lighter skin tones. 

Though AD can sometimes be hard to control, there are many things you can do to manage your child’s symptoms and reduce flare-ups.

  • Apply a topical corticosteroid: These prescription medications come in many different strengths and forms. Your healthcare provider will help you find the right combination.
  • Avoid triggers: It's important to avoid known triggers such as harsh soaps and wool and polyester clothing.
  • Moisturize: Use a moisturizer every day and within three minutes of getting out of the bath or shower.

Fifth Disease

fifth disease

DermNet / CC BY-NC-ND

Fifth disease (also called slapped cheek syndrome) is a viral infection that affects children ages 4 to 10 years. This common childhood illness got its name because it was the fifth disease on a historical list of six common skin rash illnesses in children. 

The first signs of fifth disease are mild flu-like symptoms, including:

  • Headache
  • Low-grade fever
  • Runny nose
  • Sore throat

After a few days of these symptoms, your child may develop a bright red rash on their face that makes them appear to have a slapped cheek. That’s why it is sometimes called “slapped cheek syndrome.” 

The rash may also spread to the arms, chest, stomach, and thighs. This rash often has a raised, lace-like appearance and may be itchy.

Fifth disease (also known as erythema infectiosum) is caused by infection with human parvovirus B19. It also occurs in adults. The infection is most contagious before the rash appears. Once your child has the rash, they’re not contagious anymore. 


Although the rash can look alarming, it usually clears up on its own in one to three weeks. If your child is feeling unwell, you can try the following to ease the symptoms:

  • Tylenol (acetaminophen) or Advil (ibuprofen) for fever and headache
  • Antihistamines to relieve itchiness
  • Fluids to prevent dehydration

Lip Licker's Dermatitis

This photo contains content that some people may find graphic or disturbing.

irritation around a child's mouth.

Verywell / Vincent Iannelli

During the winter, many kids have dry skin. They often also get red, irritated skin around their mouths. Children with eczema experience dry skin that gets red and itchy. But other kids simply get dry arms, legs, or hands from time to time.

As the skin around the mouth gets irritated, many children will begin to lick at it. This makes it even redder and more irritated. Eventually, children develop the classic lip licker's dermatitis that many parents and pediatricians see in the winter.

Fortunately, this type of rash usually responds very well to moisturizers, such as:

  • Vaseline
  • Aquaphor Healing Ointment
  • Eucerin Original Moisturizing Cream

The trick is that you have to put the moisturizer around your child's lips frequently. This helps break the cycle of irritation and lip licking.

Note that even though lip licker's dermatitis is found around a child's mouth, this rash is usually very different than the perioral dermatitis rash that is usually seen in young women. It is less common in children.

Measles

This photo contains content that some people may find graphic or disturbing.

Measles rash on child's chest
Measles rash on child's chest.

Getty Images / Bilanol

Measles, also called rubeola, is a highly contagious respiratory infection caused by a virus.

Though a blotchy, red rash is the most characteristic symptom of measles, it is usually not the first symptom. Measles typically begins with:

  • Cough
  • Fever
  • Red, watery eyes (conjunctivitis)
  • Runny nose
  • Small, white spots in the mouth (known as Koplik spots)

The rash appears three to four days after these initial symptoms. It shows up as flat red spots near the hairline before spreading to the rest of the body. As the rash spreads, the spots often join to form larger, blotchy patches.

The measles rash lasts about one week before it begins to fade. As it fades, it turns a brownish color and starts peeling.

There is no specific treatment for measles. You just have to let the virus run its course. Make sure your child is resting and drinking plenty of fluids. You can also give them over-the-counter medications, such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen, to help bring down the fever.

Molluscum Contagiosum

This photo contains content that some people may find graphic or disturbing.

Molluscum contagiosum rash on an arm

Jodi Jacobson / Getty Images

Molluscum contagiosum is a viral skin disease that causes small clear or flesh-colored bumps with a dimple or pit in the center. It affects adults too, but more than 90% of cases occur in kids.

The wart-like bumps (alone, or in clusters) usually pop up on the face, arms, legs, and abdomen, but they can appear anywhere on the body. Although harmless, molluscum bumps are very contagious. Scratching them can cause them to spread from one part of the body to another, and from one person to another.

Treating molluscum bumps is a lot like treating warts. They can be frozen, scraped, burned, or lasered off. Some healthcare providers advise against treatment because the bumps clear up on their own (usually in two to three months). However, concerns over how long the disease lasts and its impact on quality of life have sparked a trend toward treatment.

In July of 2023, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved Ycanth (cantharidin) as a treatment for MC in individuals aged 2 and above. Ycanth is a topical treatment and is the first FDA-approved therapy for MC. Your healthcare provider will apply Ycanth in-office every three weeks until the affected area is cleared.

Pityriasis Rosea

One person with Pityriasis rosea disease on the chest and neck
dimid_86 / Getty Images

Pityriasis rosea is often seen in adolescents. It's sometimes confused with ringworm because the rash can start with a large pink or tan oval area (sometimes called a herald patch) on the chest, stomach, or back that initially looks like ringworm.

The herald patch is then followed by multiple smaller patches that spread out across the back, neck, arms, and legs. These can be mildly itchy and can linger for several weeks or months, but your child will otherwise have no symptoms.

Although alarming for some parents because of the extent of the rash, it is important to keep in mind that pityriasis rosea is thought to be harmless.

It is not known what causes pityriasis rosea. It may be caused by a virus or a reaction to a previous viral infection. No treatment is usually required, except perhaps to control the itching if it becomes annoying.

Poison Ivy

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The classic rash of poison ivy on a child's arm.

Verywell / Vincent Iannelli

It is usually not hard to identify a child with a poison ivy rash, which occurs as an allergic reaction due to the substance urushiol found in the plant. Your child may have symptoms within hours or a few days after coming in contact with the leaves, stems, or roots of poison ivy.

A classic case of poison ivy might appear after a camping trip, hike in the woods, or trip to the lake. The child then develops a red, itchy rash all over their body a few days later.

Typical symptoms of poison ivy rash include:

  • Blisters
  • Itching
  • Redness
  • Swelling

The rash can last for one to three weeks.

Prevention depends on identifying poison ivy, poison oak, and poison sumac so that you can avoid them.

Swimmer's Itch

Swimmer's itch rash
Swimmer's itch is caused by parasites found in contaminated water. The parasite enters through the skin and a rash appears at the site of entry. © ADAM

Swimmer's itch (cercarial dermatitis) is a rash caused by a parasite in water. You're more likely to see swimmer's itch in kids during warm weather months, if they play or swim in lakes and streams. Aquatic birds, snails, and other species pass the parasites into the water.

Symptoms of swimmer’s itch include:

  • Tingling, itching, or burning skin
  • Small discolored pimples
  • Small blisters

Most people begin to develop a swimmer's itch rash within a few hours of exposure, and they'll have the itchy rash for about a week. Over-the-counter skin creams to reduce itching, and home remedies including colloidal oatmeal baths or baking soda pastes, can bring relief from symptoms. Contact your healthcare provider if symptoms persist for more than two weeks.

Tinea Infections (Ringworm)

Human ringworm
alejandrophotography / Getty Images

Contrary to what the name might suggest, ringworm is not caused by a worm. Also, known as tinea infection, ringworm is caused by a fungus. The infection causes red, ring-shaped rashes on the skin. 

Symptoms look different depending on the body part that’s infected, but include:

  • Itchy skin
  • Hair loss
  • Red, flaky, cracked skin
  • Ring-shaped rash

The rash often appears red on lighter skin, and brown, purple, or gray on darker skin.

Ringworm of the scalp and body (tinea corporis) are the most common types of ringworm in children. 

  • Scalp ringworm (tinea capitis) often starts as a pimple-like bump or a scaly patch that looks like dandruff. As the bump or patch gets bigger, the hair in the infected area can break off.  
  • Body ringworm (tinea corporis) causes a ring-shaped rash that can appear anywhere on the body or face. It starts out flat and scaly, and as the ring grows the edges become raised. 

Ringworm usually gets better when you treat it with antifungal cream. These medications usually take several weeks to work. If the antifungal creams don’t work, or if your child has scalp ringworm, your healthcare provider may prescribe antifungal tablets.

Yeast Diaper Rash

Yeast infections can commonly complicate other diaper rashes. You should suspect that a diaper rash might be caused by yeast or Candida when your baby's regular diaper rash just isn't getting better even though you're using your usual diaper rash ointments and creams.

Another good sign of a yeast diaper rash is when a diaper rash becomes bright red and is ​surrounded by red bumps called satellite lesions.

This photo contains content that some people may find graphic or disturbing.

Image of diaper rash

Reproduced with permission from ©DermNet NZ www.dermnetnz.org 2022.

Treatments for yeast diaper rashes typically include the use of topical antifungal skin creams, such as Nystatin or Vusion.

Impetigo

5 year old child with Impetigo (nonbullous impetigo) witch is is a bacterial infection that involves the superficial skin. Yellow scabs on infected area.
Helin Loik-Tomson / Getty Images

Impetigo is a highly contagious skin infection that causes red sores or blisters. It occurs when bacteria enter the body through broken or irritated skin. 

Children are more likely to develop impetigo when their skin is already irritated by another problem, such as eczema, poison ivy, or bug bites.


Impetigo can look different depending on which bacteria caused it. It usually affects the skin that isn’t covered by clothes, such as around the mouth or nose. The rash can start as a cluster of itchy red bumps or blisters. Eventually, the blisters burst open and form a honey-colored scab. 

Treatment depends on your child’s symptoms. Impetigo is typically treated with antibiotics that are either rubbed onto the sores (topical antibiotics) or taken by mouth (oral antibiotics). 

  • Prescription antibiotic ointment: A healthcare provider might recommend Bactroban (mupirocin) or Altabax (retapamulin) if your child only has a few sores. 
  • Antibiotic pill or liquid: If your child has multiple lesions, their healthcare provider might prescribe an oral antibiotic.

Hand, Foot, and Mouth Disease

A small child with a red rash on the leg sits on the bed. Children is allergies. Enterovirus.
Irina Tiumentseva / Getty Images

Heat Rash

Hand, foot, and mouth disease is a contagious illness most commonly caused by a virus called coxsackievirus. It mainly affects children under age 10, but older kids and adults can catch it as well. 

The disease is easy to spot because of its telltale symptoms:

  • Skin rash: As the name suggests, the rash tends to develop on the hands and soles of the feet. The rash usually looks like flat, red spots.
  • Mouth sores: Small bright pink spots on the tongue and inside of the cheeks that turn into blisters. These can be painful and make it difficult to eat or drink.   

Hand, foot, and mouth disease usually starts with a fever and sore throat. Mouth sores develop within two to three days, and the rash appears shortly after that. 

Since hand, foot, and mouth disease is caused by a virus, antibiotics won’t work. The most you can do is treat the symptoms. Oral anesthetics can help with painful mouth sores. Typically the rash is not painful or itchy, so you don’t need to put anything on it. 

Prickly heat rash
IAN HOOTON/SPL / Getty Images.

A heat rash develops when sweat gets trapped under the skin. The rash looks like dots or tiny pimples and the skin often feels prickly to the touch. It is usually found on body areas covered by clothing, such as the neck, diaper area, armpits, upper back, and chest.

Heat rash is harmless and often goes away on its own in a few days. To help prevent it, dress your child in loose clothing that keeps their skin cool and dry. It’s best to avoid applying topical medications; they may actually make the rash worse by causing the sweat glands to become even more blocked.

When to See a Healthcare Provider

Contact your child's healthcare provider immediately if your child has:

  • Trouble breathing
  • Swollen lips
  • Trouble with swallowing
  • Significant peeling of the skin
  • Fever

Large blisters and bloody, crusty lips are symptoms that your provider should evaluate. Let them know if the child has painful urination with the rash.

If your child's rash doesn't get better after a few days or if you are concerned in any way, don't hesitate to call their healthcare provider.

COVID-19 can cause a rash that may be part of a complication called multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C). Call your healthcare provider if the child has a fever of 100.4 F or higher for more than 24 hours, along with a rash or other symptoms like red, cracked lips.

Summary

Children get skin rashes often. Knowing the different types of skin rashes can help you decide whether you should take your child to the pediatrician. While some skin rashes can be prevented, others may be caused by factors outside of your control.

You can treat some skin rashes with over-the-counter medication. Others may require prescription medication. Your child's pediatrician can help you figure out what to do about a particular kind of skin rash.

27 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
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By Vincent Iannelli, MD
 Vincent Iannelli, MD, is a board-certified pediatrician and fellow of the American Academy of Pediatrics. Dr. Iannelli has cared for children for more than 20 years.