Ambulance 912HAP 9252
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General health information

Childhood illnesses with rashes

Rashes in children are often caused by a virus and usually clear up on their own, but not every rash is harmless. Pay particular attention to purple or red spots that do not fade under pressure, unusual drowsiness, difficulty breathing, a stiff neck or rapidly worsening illness: these may indicate meningococcal disease or sepsis and need immediate emergency help. Measles and rubella are especially important during pregnancy and in people with a weakened immune system. Have your child assessed if you are unsure, especially with a high fever, dehydration or if they look ill.

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  • Rashes in children are often caused by viral infections such as chickenpox, fifth disease or roseola.
  • Most rashes are unpleasant but not dangerous. However, a rash can sometimes be part of a serious infection.
  • Purple or red spots that do not fade when pressed with a glass or finger are a warning sign of conditions such as meningococcal disease or sepsis.
  • Measles and rubella need extra attention during pregnancy and in people with a weakened immune system.
  • Look beyond the skin: pay particular attention to how ill your child looks and how they drink, breathe and respond.
  • For urgent symptoms outside office hours, call HAP 9252. Call Ambulance 912 only for an immediate threat to life.

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Further reading

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H
Hand, foot and mouth diseaseHand, foot and mouth disease is a viral infection that mainly affects young children. It often starts with a fever, sore throat or loss of appetite, followed by painful mouth ulcers and blisters or spots on the hands and feet. The illness usually clears up on its own, but a sore mouth can make drinking difficult. Watch closely for dehydration, unusual drowsiness and difficulty breathing.
F
Fifth diseaseFifth disease is a usually mild infection caused by parvovirus B19. Children often develop bright red cheeks followed by a lacy rash; adults more often have joint pain. The infection needs extra attention during pregnancy, with a chronic condition involving red blood cell breakdown, or with a severely weakened immune system.
A
A child with feverFever in a child is often caused by a virus and usually clears up on its own. However, it can also indicate a more serious infection, especially in very young children, unusually drowsy children or those drinking little. Bo Dòkter advises a low threshold for medical assessment in children under 3 years; babies and children with warning signs need prompt assessment.