Rashes in children, and especially new babies, can look alarming, but they are usually not serious. The key is knowing what to look for, so that you can tell the difference between normal baby rashes and a more serious condition. Most little kid rashes can be easily treated at home, but if one is accompanied by fever, headache, listlessness or a sore throat, you need to take the child to a doctor.
Allergic Rashes
Allergic reactions are caused by your child's body releasing histamines in response to an allergen. This allergen can be something taken internally, like certain foods or medicines, inhaled, such as pollen, or by something that comes in contact with her skin, like poison ivy. This kind of rash can present as itchy bumps, red patches or even hives. Antihistamine medicines or creams will usually clear this kind of rash.
Bacterial Rashes
Bacterial rashes are the most potentially dangerous. Meningococcemia can be fatal if left untreated. The rash caused by this bacteria causes bleeding under the skin, resulting in petechia and purpura, which look like tiny red or larger purple dots drawn on your child's skin with a pen. According to Dr. William Sears, the easiest way to tell petechia and purpura from other rashes is to touch them. They should feel completely flat, because they are under the skin, and not turn white when you press on them. If you see petechia or purpura anywhere except your child's face or neck, seek medical help immediately. Strep throat also presents with a rash, but it's usually bumpy and feels like sandpaper when you touch it.
Contact Rashes
Some diaper rash is caused by the acids in urine or the enzymes in feces reacting with your baby's skin. A similar rash often appears on the chin, when baby drool contains any spit-up. Heat rashes occur often on the skin of a baby's face where she presses it against her mother while nursing. This is especially common in the summer. The best treatment for these rashes is to rinse the baby's skin with cool water and keep it as dry and clean as possible.
Fungal Rashes
According to the Merck Manual, diaper rash can be a contact rash or it can be caused by the fungus candida. Candida usually appears in the folds of the skin, rather than on the baby's buttocks. Tinea capitis and tinea corporis---ringworm of the scalp and skin, respectively---are also common rashes in children. The treatment for ringworm is the same for children as for adults. Consult your doctor before treating ringworm in very young children, because some kids have a reaction to the anti-fungal medication.
Viral Rashes
The most commonly known childhood virus infecting children is the varicella virus, which causes chicken pox. This usually starts out as little, red spots that blossom into clear blisters. Another common childhood viral infection is called fifth disease. According to Dr. William Sears, this shows up as a lacy rash on your child's cheeks, making it look like someone has slapped her. This rash spreads to her torso, arms and legs and is sometimes accompanied by a fever, runny nose and cough. The Merck Manuals advise that this infection, caused by the parvovirus, usually occurs during the spring and generally runs its course in 10 to 15 days.
