Blister rash on baby face

Nappy rash - NHS

Around 1 in 4 babies and toddlers in nappies have nappy rash at any one time. It doesn't usually develop in newborns, but all babies can get nappy rash.

Nappy rash can be caused by:

your baby's skin being in contact with wee or poo for a long time
the nappy rubbing against your baby's skin
not cleaning the nappy area or changing the nappy often enough
soap, detergent or bubble bath
alcohol-based baby wipes
some types of medicines, such as antibiotics or laxatives (used to make a baby poo more often)

There may be red patches on your baby's bottom, or the whole area may be red. Their skin may look sore and feel hot to touch, and there may be spots, pimples or blisters.

Most babies with mild nappy rash don't feel sore, but if the rash is severe your baby may feel uncomfortable and be distressed.

Treating nappy rash

If your baby gets nappy rash, you can usually treat their skin yourself.

If the rash isn't upsetting your baby, at each nappy change apply a thin layer of a barrier cream to protect their skin. Ask your health visitor or pharmacist to recommend one.

Follow this advice to help look after your baby's skin.

Change wet or dirty nappies as soon as possible.
Clean the whole nappy area gently but thoroughly, wiping from front to back. Use water or fragrance-free and alcohol-free baby wipes. Read more about how to clean your baby and change your baby's nappy.
Bath your baby daily – but avoid bathing them more than twice a day as that may dry out their skin.
Dry your baby gently after washing them – avoid vigorous rubbing.
Lie your baby on a towel and leave their nappy off for as long and as often as you can to let fresh air get to their skin.
Do not use soap, bubble bath, or lotions.
Do not use talcum powder as it contains ingredients that could irritate your baby's skin.
Make sure your baby’s nappy fits properly. If it is too tight then it can irritate the skin and if it is too loose, then the nappy will not be able to soak up pee properly.

Nappy rash usually clears up after about 3 days if you follow this advice. You should keep following this advice as this will help prevent nappy rash from coming back.

If the rash is causing your baby discomfort, your health visitor or pharmacist can recommend a nappy rash cream to treat it.

You should apply the cream first and wait a few minutes before you apply the barrier cream.

Other rashes in the nappy area

If the rash doesn't go away or your baby develops a persistent bright red, moist rash with white or red pimples that spreads into the folds of their skin, they may have an infection.

Ask a pharmacist or health visitor for advice. The pharmacist may recommend a cream for you to use.

If the rash is severe, take your baby to the GP who may prescribe cream or medicine. Follow a GP's instructions on whether and when to apply barrier cream as well as the prescribed cream.

It's normal for babies to develop skin rashes, but it's important to know the difference between a minor irritation and a condition that requires attention.

Read more about rashes in babies and children.

Page last reviewed: 17 September 2021
Next review due: 17 September 2024

Slapped cheek syndrome - NHS

Slapped cheek syndrome (also called fifth disease) is common in children and should get better on its own within 3 weeks. It's rarer in adults, but can be more serious.

Check if it's slapped cheek syndrome

The first sign of slapped cheek syndrome is usually feeling unwell for a few days.

Symptoms may include:

a high temperature
a runny nose and sore throat
a headache

A red rash may appear on 1 or both cheeks. It may be less obvious on brown and black skin. Adults do not usually get the rash on their face.

Credit:

SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY https://www.sciencephoto.com/media/550792/view

A few days later, a spotty rash may appear on the chest, arms and legs. The rash can be raised and itchy. It may be harder to see on brown and black skin.

Credit:

John Kaprielian/SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY https://www. sciencephoto.com/media/618192/view

How long it lasts

The cheek rash usually fades within 2 weeks.

The body rash also fades within 2 weeks, but sometimes lasts for up to a month, especially if you're exercising, hot, anxious or stressed.

Adults might also have joint pain and stiffness. This can happen in children too, but it's rare. Joint pain can continue for many weeks, even after the other symptoms have gone.

If you're not sure your child has slapped cheek syndrome

Look at other rashes in babies and children.

Things you can do yourself

You do not usually need to see a GP for slapped cheek syndrome.

There are some things you can do to ease the symptoms.

Do

rest
drink plenty of fluids to avoid dehydration – babies should continue their normal feeds
take paracetamol or ibuprofen for a high temperature, headaches or joint pain
use moisturiser on itchy skin
speak to a pharmacist about itchy skin – they can recommend the best antihistamine for children

Important: Important

Tell your midwife or a GP if you're pregnant or have a weakened immune system and have been near someone with slapped cheek syndrome.

Non-urgent advice: See a GP if:

you think you have slapped cheek syndrome and:

you're pregnant – there's a very small risk of miscarriage or other complications
you have a blood disorder, such as sickle cell disease or thalassaemia – there's a risk of severe anaemia
you have a weakened immune system – for example, because of chemotherapy or diabetes

Ask for an urgent appointment if you have:

very pale skin
shortness of breath
extreme tiredness
fainting

These can be signs of severe anaemia and you might be sent to hospital for a blood transfusion.

How slapped cheek syndrome is spread

It's hard to avoid spreading slapped cheek syndrome because most people do not know they have it until they get the rash.

You can only spread it to other people before the rash appears.

Slapped cheek syndrome is caused by a virus (parvovirus B19). The virus spreads to other people, surfaces or objects by coughing or sneezing near them.

To reduce the risk of spreading the virus:

wash your hands often with water and soap
use tissues to trap germs when you cough or sneeze
bin used tissues as quickly as possible

Information:

You do not have to stay off work or school after the rash appears.

Let the school or teacher know if your child has slapped cheek syndrome.

Page last reviewed: 18 February 2021
Next review due: 18 February 2024

Rash in a child on the body, legs, back

We treat children according to the principles of evidence-based medicine: we choose only those diagnostic and treatment methods that have proven their effectiveness. We will never prescribe unnecessary examinations and medicines!

Make an appointment via WhatsApp

Prices Doctors

The first children's clinic of evidence-based medicine in Moscow

No unnecessary examinations and medicines! We will prescribe only what has proven effective and will help your child.

Treatment according to world standards

We treat children with the same quality as in the best medical centers in the world.

The best team of doctors in Fantasy!

Pediatricians and subspecialists Fantasy - highly experienced doctors, members of professional societies. Doctors constantly improve their qualifications, undergo internships abroad.

Ultimate treatment safety

We made pediatric medicine safe! All our staff work according to the most stringent international standards JCI

We have fun, like visiting best friends

Game room, cheerful animator, gifts after the reception. We try to make friends with the child and do everything to make the little patient feel comfortable with us.

You can make an appointment by calling or by filling out the form on the website

Other Pediatric services

Pediatrician's consultation
Child Health Management Program

Frequent calls

Acute bronchiolitis in children: diagnosis and treatment
SARS
Angina streptococcal tonsillitis
Frequently ill child
Intestinal infections
Pneumonia (pneumonia) in children
Colic
Feeding problems
Prolonged cough in a child: diagnosis and treatment
Acute bronchitis in children: diagnosis and treatment
Pneumonia (pneumonia) in children: diagnosis and treatment
False croup in a child
Coxsackie virus in a child
The child was bitten by a tick! What to do?

Online payment

Documents online

Online services

Rash in a child on legs and arms

RASH IN A CHILD ON LEGS AND HANDS WITHOUT TEMPERATURE, WITH TEMPERATURE, ITCHING, NOT ITCHING

Children are the most beloved, defenseless people. It is from adults that the health of the baby sometimes depends. They need our attention first and foremost. The skin of children is still imperfect and very susceptible to various infections. So, the appearance of a rash on the arms and legs can be an innocent manifestation, or it can be a signal of a dangerous disease. Below we will consider for what reason a rash may appear in a child and how to act in this situation.

Rash - what is it?

What is such a phenomenon? A rash is a pathological change in the skin, mucous membranes, which differ from normal skin in appearance, structure, color. It can be primary and secondary, that is, appear on the site of previous rashes. The combination of primary and secondary elements determine the picture of the rash in the disease. This may be a reaction to some kind of allergen, or it may turn out that the rash is a sign of a disease.

Species

It turns out that rashes are of different nature and type. Allocate primary and secondary rashes. Such a rash occurs in a child on the legs and arms:

Tubercles - do not have a cavity, are located deep in the dermis, up to 1 cm in diameter. At the same time, the color and texture of the skin is excellent. They can leave scars behind, develop into ulcers.
Blisters - without a cavity, have a blurry outline and pink color. Appear due to swelling of the papillary dermis. Pass without a trace, itchy.
Papules or nodules - no cavity. May or may not be inflamed, discolored. Pass without leaving traces

Bubbles - have a bottom, a cover, a cavity. After they are opened, erosion can form.
Pustules or pustules - have pus inside. May be superficial or deep.
Roseola is irregularly shaped patches of pink. When the skin is stretched, the stain disappears.

If the rash appears a second time, it may form:

Scars.
Abrasions.
Cracks.
Scales.
Erosions.
Ulcers.

Diagnosis

If a child has a rash on his legs and arms, you should immediately seek help from a pediatrician and a dermatologist. First, the doctor must carefully examine:

Appearance.
Form.
Colour.
Quantity.
The nature of the rash.
The location of the rash is also important.

Next, it turns out:

The presence or absence of a feverish state.
What infectious diseases have been transferred.
What are the hereditary diseases.
Tendency to allergies.
Light sensitivity.

As a rule, a rash is not the main disease, but is a symptom of some disease. It acts as a sign that a failure has occurred in the body. To determine the cause of such a manifestation, the doctor prescribes tests. First of all - a blood and urine test. It is also possible to analyze the secretion of abscesses. After examination and analysis, the doctor prescribes treatment. What could be the reasons why a child has a rash on his legs and arms?

Sources of the problem

For a child's body, a rash is a very important symptom of some diseases, so it is important to consult a doctor. Its causes may be as follows:

Allergic diseases.
Infectious.
Parasitic infections.
Vascular diseases and blood diseases.
Violations of hygiene rules.

If the rash accompanies an infectious disease, the body temperature will certainly be elevated. There are other signs, these can be:

Cough.
Rhinitis.
Sore throat.

Let's look at some diseases that are accompanied, in addition to a rash, also by fever.

Rash with fever

When an infection enters the body, its first reaction is fever. Skin rashes may appear with or without fever. There are several infectious diseases, a sign of which is a rash.

This group includes:

Chicken pox.
Rubella.
Scarlet fever.
Measles.
Enteroviral infection.
Meningococcemia.

Each disease is characterized by its own characteristics of the spread of rashes. This is especially true for childhood diseases. Consider which of them causes a rash in a child on the legs and arms, as well as on the body and face.

Windmill

This disease is most common in children. She is not vaccinated. The first sign of this disease is the appearance of red spots, which very quickly turn into blisters. In addition to blisters on the face, head, body, the child also has a rash on the legs and arms. The temperature is elevated, for some time the baby may experience weakness, headache.

If the blister is torn off, scars remain. The main problem of this disease is that the rash on the child's arms and legs itches, there is a risk of infection. The doctor may prescribe medications to relieve itching.

Rubella

This disease comes with fever. In older children, joint pains, general intoxication are possible. Rashes are shown on the 1st day or on the second day. First - on the face, neck, torso, then a small rash spreads in the child on the arms and legs, mainly on the folds. The younger the child, the easier this disease proceeds. However, in adolescents, complications are possible, such as encephalitis, meningoencephalitis. This disease is especially dangerous for pregnant women, fetal malformations are possible. Vaccination is also prohibited for immunocompromised patients. However, rubella is milder than scarlet fever.

Measles

A dangerous infectious disease, easily transmitted through the air with little contact with the carrier of the infection

There is a vaccination against measles. This disease is accompanied by intoxication of the body. There are symptoms characteristic of a cold - coughing, lacrimation, sneezing. The temperature rises to high values. Rashes begin with the buccal mucosa, then pass to the face, the entire body, to the extremities (in the form of papules that rise above the skin). Dangerous complications on the bronchi, can cause pneumonia.

Scarlet fever

This is an infectious disease transmitted by airborne droplets through dirty hands and objects. It starts with a sore throat, chills. Then a small rash appears on the child's arms and legs with fever. Most often in places of bends of arms, legs. Then the rash spreads to the face, neck, torso. The source of the rash is streptococcus. The throat starts to hurt, which is very similar to a viral infection. Language is key to the definition. It will be crimson. As soon as the temperature begins to decrease, lamellar peeling of the skin of the hands and feet begins. With this disease, it is very important to observe bed rest and drinking. Antibiotics are required for treatment. Possible complications in the heart and kidneys.

Enterovirus infection

Preschool children are susceptible to these diseases. A rash appears on the child's legs and arms without fever. She usually doesn't itch

The child may be healthy, or there may be an increase in temperature to insignificant values within one or two days. This is due to the imperfection, susceptibility of children's skin.

Meningococcemia

This is a very dangerous disease. The temperature rises to high values in a short period of time. A rash appears on the child's legs and arms (does not itch) in the form of irregularly shaped hemorrhages, and is also on the buttocks. If such rashes are detected, an urgent need to call a doctor and determine the child in intensive care.

Hemorrhagic vasculitis

This disease is characterized by a rash in a child on the arms and legs with fever, mainly in the folds. Initially, small blisters or lumps appear, then the rash turns red, takes on the color of rust and completely disappears. It is believed that the disease can be caused by allergies, trauma, and be the result of acute infectious diseases, such as tonsillitis, pharyngitis. Accompanied by fever, joint pain. With a lightning-fast course of this disease, a fatal outcome is possible. It is necessary to carefully consider the treatment.

Rashes of non-infectious origin with itching

There are a number of diseases in which the rashes are very itchy. For example, with scabies, a child develops a rash on the legs and arms without fever, most often on the folds between the fingers. As a rule, it itches a lot, especially at night. Also, with helminthiases, rashes itch

The presence of a fungus on the skin in children is one of the causes of rashes in the form of blisters, erosions, red spots. Places of localization of the fungus, as a rule, on the legs, palms, feet, wrists. The rash spreads especially quickly on moist areas of the skin. It can be easily transmitted through contact with an infected object. Especially often infections occur in places where the environment is humid (shower, bathroom). The disease is accompanied by severe itching without fever.

Small rash without itching

If a child has a small rash on the arms and legs, does not itch, it is possible that pseudotuberculosis is at the initial stage of development. This disease is transmitted by rodents - after contact with things to which they had access. This disease appears in children very rarely, but still it exists.

If a child was born with congenital syphilis, was infected in utero, the rash may appear from time to time without disturbing him. These are papules with a pustular core. Such rashes are not accompanied by itching and fever. Also, a small rash can be the result of a hereditary infectious disease, such as psoriasis. In children under 2 years of age, it is rare, but at an older age, the risk of development, having heredity, is quite possible. It begins with a small rash in the form of dry plaques of a round and oval shape of a red-pink color, peeling is noticeable on top. It spreads over vast areas of the skin, in the area of the knees, elbows, head - this is a characteristic sign of psoriasis. This rash does not itch. In infants, it may come and go, and in adulthood it may come back again.

Allergic reaction

With allergic dermatitis, in addition to rashes on the face and trunk, a child may have a rash on the legs and arms. Photos clearly demonstrate the manifestation of an allergic reaction. Rashes can be present both on a small area of \u200b\u200bthe skin, and on an extensive one. As a rule, accompanying signs are peeling and severe itching. The body temperature remains within the normal range, intoxication of the body does not occur. Such a reaction is possible on food, household chemicals, drugs. If a child has allergies, you need to be extremely careful with allergens, exclude them from the diet if possible, as there is a risk of Quincke's edema. Possible respiratory arrest, swelling of the larynx.

Urticaria - a small rash - may be a reaction to temperature factors, cold, sun.

What not to do if a child has a rash

First of all, it is strictly forbidden in situations when you see a rash on your baby's body:

Squeeze out pustules.
Open bubbles.
Treat with brilliant green or other means until examined by a doctor.
Self-medicate.

If the rash on the child's arms and legs is itchy, do not let him scratch it. If a rash is detected, it is necessary to limit contact with others, as the disease can be contagious. As we saw earlier, a rash can be an important symptom or result of a disease. An examination by a doctor is required to make the correct diagnosis and prescribe the appropriate treatment in order to exclude possible complications.

Therapy

The treatment of rashes is, first of all, the elimination of the disease that caused them. In infectious diseases, bed rest, antipyretic drugs, antihistamines, and treatment of rashes are recommended. If necessary, antibiotics are prescribed (to exclude the development of side effects). Allergy sufferers should definitely see an allergist. Eliminate allergens from your diet. And you should also follow the doctor's instructions, take antihistamines or glucocorticosteroids. In case of fungal diseases or scabies, observation by a dermatologist is necessary.

Prevention of rashes

Skin in childhood is not yet adapted to the manifestations of the external environment, so it requires special attention and care. First of all, you must follow the rules of hygiene. Parents should make sure that they have all the necessary vaccinations against dangerous diseases. If your baby suffers from allergies, be sure to see an allergist. Proper treatment, observation will help the child outgrow this difficult period. Eliminate allergens from your baby's diet. Strengthen the immune system of the child so that he can easily and without consequences fight diseases.