First Aid: Rashes

Rashes can be caused by viruses, bacteria, medications, heat, allergies, and many other things. Many are only a minor annoyance, but some can be serious and require medical treatment.

Signs and Symptoms

• redness
• spots on the skin
• scaly skin
• itchiness
• bumps
• blisters
• pimples

What to Do

To ease discomfort:

• add a few cups of oatmeal to the bath
• pat the skin dry (instead of rubbing) after a bath or shower
• avoid scrubbing or scratching the affected skin
• leave the rash exposed to the air as much as possible

Seek Medical Care

If:

• your child also has a fever
• your child looks ill
• there are tiny red dots that cannot be felt when touched and don't fade when pressed
• there are bruises not related to injuries
• there is no improvement after a week

Think Prevention!

Most rashes are difficult to avoid. However, some specific rashes can be prevented:

• Have kids avoid people with contagious skin rashes.
• For allergic rashes, try to avoid the substance that causes the reaction.
• Use sunscreen to avoid sunburn.
• If your child tends to get eczema flare-ups, avoid harsh soaps.