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.
Erythema toxicum:
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 medical professional. Please see below for things to look out for.
If your child has any of the following:
- A rash that does not disappear with pressure (see the “Glass Test”)
- Becomes pale, mottled or abnormally cold to touch
- Becomes stiff for a prolonged period or has rhythmic, jerky movements of arms or legs that does not stop when you touch it (a fit/seizure)
- Becomes extremely agitated (crying inconsolably despite distraction)
- Becomes floppy or very lethargic (difficult to wake)
- Is going blue around the lips or has difficulty breathing
You need urgent help.
Go to the nearest Hospital Emergency (A&E) Department or phone 999
If your child has any of the following:
- Has a temperature above 38°C / 100.4°F (but fever is common in babies up to 2 days after they receive vaccinations)
- Has a rash that looks like small blisters or fluid filled spots
- Has broken skin and the surrounding area becomes warm to touch or red. Look out for redness around the base of the umbilicus (belly button) in the first few weeks of life
- Nappy rash that isn’t getting better with simple measures such as regular nappy changes or barrier creams
- Becoming increasingly sleepy and not consistently waking for feeds.
- No wet nappies in the last 8 hours
- Has a dry mouth or sunken fontanelle (soft spot on the head)
- Is getting worse or you are worried
You need to contact a doctor or nurse today.
Please ring your GP surgery or call NHS 111 - dial 111
We recognise that during the current COVID-19 crisis, at peak times, access to a health care professional may be delayed. 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, then consider taking them to your nearest ED.
- None of the above features are present
- 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.
- Additional advice is also available to young families for coping with crying of well babies – click here.
Self care
Continue providing your child’s care at home. If you are still concerned about your child contact your Health Visitor or call NHS 111 – dial 111
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?
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?
Pharmacists are experts in many aspects of healthcare and can offer advice on a wide range of long-term conditions and common illnesses such as coughs, colds and stomach upsets. You don’t need an appointment and many have private consultation areas, so they are a good first port of call. Your pharmacist will say if you need further medical attention.
Sound advice
- Visit a pharmacy if your child is ill, but does not need to see a GP.
- Remember that if your child's condition gets worse, you should seek further medical advice immediately.
- Help your child to understand - watch this video with them about going to the pharmacy.
For information on common childhood illnesses go to What is wrong with my child?
Pharmacists are experts in many aspects of healthcare and can offer advice on a wide range of long-term conditions and common illnesses such as coughs, colds and stomach upsets. You don’t need an appointment and many have private consultation areas, so they are a good first port of call. Your pharmacist will say if you need further medical attention.
Sound advice
- Visit a pharmacy if your child is ill, but does not need to see a GP.
- Remember that if your child's condition gets worse, you should seek further medical advice immediately.
- Help your child to understand - watch this video with them about going to the pharmacy.
For information on common childhood illnesses go to What is wrong with my child?
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.
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.
