When to Worry About a Rash on Your Child: Signs You Shouldn’t Ignore

When your child has a rash, it can be challenging to determine whether it’s a mild condition that will resolve on its own or a more serious issue.

Understanding the causes and symptoms of rashes can help you know when to treat mild skin rashes at home and how to know the signs that a child needs medical care for a rash.

Common Causes of Rashes for Children

Rashes are not uncommon in children. They typically appear as raised, pink or red skin lesions or patches of bumpy, reddened skin. They are often itchy and uncomfortable.

Most of the time, a rash will have an obvious cause and should clear up once that underlying cause has been addressed. Common rashes in children include:

• Diaper rash: The urine and feces trapped in diapers can be irritating to babies’ sensitive skin. Children can develop a red, bumpy rash under their diapers. Diaper rash is confined to the skin that’s covered by the diaper.
• Heat rash: Heat rash is a bumpy, red, itchy rash that is linked to hot weather. It occurs when sweat glands become blocked. You might notice it under tight-fitting clothing, such as under the waistband of pants. It may also appear in areas that become very sweaty, like the armpits, neck, or groin.
• Allergic reactions: Exposure to allergens in food, poison ivy, or products containing strong detergents or fragrances can trigger a mild allergic rash, also known as contact dermatitis. The child might develop hives, reddened, bumpy skin, or dry, flaky patches. These rashes can be very itchy, and children might scratch at them.

At-Home Care for Mild Rashes

You can treat mild rashes at home, and they typically improve within a short time. With any rash, it’s important to keep the affected area clean and dry to prevent more irritation. Wash with a gentle soap and pat dry.

For diaper rash, clean the whole diaper area carefully to remove any traces of urine or feces from the skin. You can apply a diaper ointment to the rash. This will help heal the rash and create a protective barrier for the skin. Change your child’s diaper frequently and wipe them well before putting on a new diaper.

If a child has a heat rash, your first step should be getting the child somewhere cooler and out of the sun. Apply cool compresses to relieve itching or prickling sensations. This can also clean the skin and help clear blocked sweat glands. Avoid using ointment, as it can further block the glands. Dress the child in loose, breathable clothing that won’t rub or chafe sensitive skin.

Cool compresses can also soothe allergic rashes. Applying an over-the-counter anti-itch cream, such as hydrocortisone or an antihistamine, can help relieve itching, making it less likely for children to scratch at the rash.

Many other common rashes will clear up with home care and patience. Rashes or skin reactions from bug bites or allergic reactions to something a child touched, like poison ivy, are very common. Using cool compresses and over-the-counter anti-itch treatments can reduce symptoms and help clear up your child’s skin.

Signs for Immediate Medical Attention

In rare cases, a rash can be a sign of a medical emergency. If a child has a non-blanching rash (redness that doesn’t fade when pressed), or a rash accompanied by high fever, difficulty breathing, or swelling of the face or throat, seek emergency medical help. Call 911 or go to the nearest hospital with an emergency room.

These are all signs of a severe allergic reaction. Your child may need an epinephrine injection to stop the reaction and open their airway.

Rashes in newborns or infants may not be an emergency, but they often need prompt medical attention. If you have a child under three months old who develops a rash, contact your pediatrician or visit an urgent care clinic to see a healthcare provider quickly.

Rashes on the face, mouth, or throat, or on the hands and feet, may be a sign of an underlying infection. You should see a healthcare provider to figure out the cause of the rash and get appropriate treatment.

Other Concerning Symptoms

Other signs that you should see a health care provider for a rash include:

• A rash that spreads rapidly
• Signs of infection, such as swelling, blisters, pus, or sores
• An extremely painful rash
• A rash that is accompanied by a mild to moderate fever and chills
• A rash accompanied by unusual symptoms like lethargy or irritability
• Symptoms such as vomiting or diarrhea

What Urgent Care Can Do For Your Child

If your child has a rash, you can bring them to an urgent care facility to see a healthcare provider. When you arrive, the staff will ask you questions about your child’s health, including whether they have been exposed to anyone who has signs of the flu or other illnesses. They will also ask if your child has touched anything that might have caused the rash.

They will examine the rash and ask when it first appeared and what other symptoms your child is experiencing. If necessary, they may use a gentle tool to take a small scraping from the rash to send to a lab for testing.  They may also draw blood for testing.

The provider will give you a diagnosis and a treatment plan for your child. That may include prescription creams or oral medications to treat the rash and any underlying causes.

If you need quick, compassionate care for your child’s rash, Next Level Urgent Care can provide the help you need.  Our team can answer your questions about your child’s symptoms and create a personalized care plan to help your child feel like themselves again.

You can walk into any of our 45+ clinic locations or get in line using the Next Level mobile app today.