Parents

First Aid: Rashes

Primeros auxilios: Erupciones (o sarpullidos)

Rashes can be caused by , , medicines, heat, allergies, and many other things. Many are only a minor annoyance. But some can be serious and need medical treatment.

Signs and Symptoms

redness
spots on the skin
scaly skin
itchiness
swelling
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
don't scrub or scratch the affected skin
leave the rash exposed to the air as much as possible

Get Medical Care if:

your child also has a fever
your child looks sick
there are tiny red dots that can't 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!

Rashes can be hard to avoid. But some types 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 gets eczema flare-ups, avoid harsh soaps.

Medically reviewed by: Kate M. Cronan, MD

Date reviewed: June 2018