My baby has a rash
Rashes are common in newborns and babies. Most rashes are harmless and go away on their own. You may notice that your baby’s skin is dry or peeling in the first 1-2 weeks of life and this is normal.
A common rash seen in babies in the first 3-4 days of life is erythema toxicum. Babies with this type of rash are well in themselves. They have a red blotchy rash that can come and go and often appears on the face, body, upper arms and thighs. This rash does not require any treatment and will go away on its own.
Information and pictures of other common skin rashes in babies can be found here.
In the first 3 months of life, if your baby has a rash and other symptoms, they may need to be reviewed by a healthcare professional. Please see below for things to look out for.
When should you worry?
If your child has any of the following:
- Has a rash that does not disappear with pressure (the ‘Glass Test’)
- Breathing very fast, too breathless to talk, eat or drink
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Working hard to breathe, drawing in of the muscles below the ribs, or noisy breathing (grunting)
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Breathing that stops or pauses
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Is pale, blue, mottled or feels unusually cold to touch
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Difficult to wake up or very sleepy
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Weak, high-pitched cry or can’t be settled
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Has a fit (seizure)
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Has a temperature more than 38°C or under 36°C (unless fever in the 48 hours following vaccinations and no other red or amber features
You need urgent help
Go to the nearest Hospital Emergency (A&E) Department or phone 999
If your child has any of the following:
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Has a rash that looks like small blisters or fluid filled spots
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Skin that is swollen, red or hot.
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Redness around the base of the umbilicus (belly button)
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Nappy rash that isn’t getting better with regular nappy changes or barrier creams
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Breathing a bit faster than normal or working a bit harder to breathe
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Dry skin, lips or tongue
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Not had a wee or wet nappy in last 8 hours
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Poor feeding (less than half of their usual amount)
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Irritable (Unable to settle them with cuddles, toys or feeding)
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Getting worse and I am still worried
You need to contact a doctor or nurse today
Please ring your GP surgery or call NHS 111 - dial 111
If symptoms persist for 4 hours or more and you have not been able to speak to either a member of staff from your GP practice or to NHS 111 staff, recheck that your child has not developed any red features.
None of the above features are present:
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It is common for newborns to develop blotchy red skin at 2 to 3 days old. This is a normal newborn rash and shouldn’t bother your baby. It clears after a few days.
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Addition information is available about infant crying and how to cope – click here.
Self care
Continue providing your child’s care at home. If you are still concerned about your baby, speak to your health visitor, local pharmacist or call NHS 111– dial 111
This content has been developed by healthcare professionals from across the UK in collaboration with the RCPCH.
For wear and tear, minor trips and everything in between.
Self-care
You can treat your child's very minor illnesses and injuries at home.
Some illnesses can be treated in your own home with support and advice from the services listed when required, using the recommended medicines and getting plenty of rest.
Sound advice
Children can recover from illness quickly but also can become more poorly quickly; it is important to seek further advice if a child's condition gets worse.
For information on common childhood illnesses go to What is wrong with my child?
Health visitors are nurses or midwives who are passionate about promoting healthy lifestyles and preventing illness through the delivery of the Healthy Child Programme. They work with you through your pregnancy up until your child is ready to start school.
Health Visitors can also make referrals for you to other health professionals for example hearing or vision concerns or to the Community Paediatricians or to the child and adolescent mental health services.
Contact them by phoning your Health Visitor Team or local Children’s Centre.
Sound advice
Health visitors also provide advice, support and guidance in caring for your child, including:
- Breastfeeding, weaning and healthy eating
- Exercise, hygiene and safety
- Your child’s growth and development
- Emotional health and wellbeing, including postnatal depression
- Safety in the home
- Stopping smoking
- Contraception and sexual health
- Sleep and behaviour management (including temper tantrums!)
- Toilet training
- Minor illnesses
For more information watch the video: What does a health visitor do?
School nurses care for children and young people, aged 5-19, and their families, to ensure their health needs are supported within their school and community. They work closely with education staff and other agencies to support parents, carers and the children and young people, with physical and/or emotional health needs.
Contacting the School Nurse
Primary and secondary schools have an allocated school nurse – telephone your child’s school to ask for the contact details of your named school nurse.
There is also a specialist nurse who works with families who choose to educate their children at home.
Sound Advice
Before your child starts school your health visitor will meet with the school nursing team to transfer their care to the school nursing service. The school nursing team consists of a school nursing lead, specialist public health practitioners and school health staff nurses.
They all have a role in preventing disease and promoting health and wellbeing, by:-
- encouraging healthier lifestyles
- offering immunisations
- giving information, advice and support to children, young people and their families
- supporting children with complex health needs
Each member of the team has links with many other professionals who also work with children including community paediatricians, child and adolescent mental health teams, health visitors and speech and language therapists. The school health nursing service also forms part of the multi-agency services for children, young people and families where there are child protection or safeguarding issues.
If you’re not sure which NHS service you need, call 111. An adviser will ask you questions to assess your symptoms and then give you the advice you need, or direct you straightaway to the best service for you in your area.
Sound advice
Use NHS 111 if you are unsure what to do next, have any questions about a condition or treatment or require information about local health services.
For information on common childhood illnesses go to What is wrong with my child?
A&E departments provide vital care for life-threatening emergencies, such as loss of consciousness, suspected heart attacks, breathing difficulties, or severe bleeding that cannot be stopped. If you’re not sure it’s an emergency, call 111 for advice.