Skin rashes in children
Scabies
Scabies is a contagious skin condition that's intensely itchy. It's caused by tiny mites that burrow into the skin.
In children, scabies is usually spread through prolonged periods of skin-to-skin contact with an infected adult or child for example, during play fighting or hugging.
The mites like warm places, such as skin folds, between the fingers, under fingernails, or around the buttock creases. They leave small red blotches, which are often found on the palms of the hands or soles of the feet. In infants, blisters are commonly found on the soles of the feet.
See your GP if you think your child has scabies. It's not usually a serious condition, but it does need to be treated. Your GP will prescribe a lotion or cream. It causes a distinctive pink-red rash, which feels like sandpaper to touch and may be itchy.
It often starts with a sore throat , fever and headache , with the rash developing two to five days after infection. The rash usually occurs on the chest and stomach before spreading to other areas of the body, such as the ears and neck.
Scarlet fever usually clears up after about a week, but see your GP if you think your child may have it. Antibiotics are used to treat it (liquid antibiotics, such as penicillin or amoxicillin, are often used to treat children).
Medically Reviewed by a doctor on 21 Dec 2018
Introduction
Information and advice about common childhood rashes, including chickenpox, eczema, impetigo, measles, psoriasis, ringworm, scabies and slapped cheek syndrome.
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Hand, foot and mouth disease
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Impetigo
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Keratosis pilaris ("chicken skin")
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Measles
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Psoriasis
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Ringworm
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Scabies
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Slapped cheek syndrome
Slapped cheek syndrome also known as fifth disease or parvovirus B19 is a viral infection that's common in children aged six to 10. It causes a distinctive bright red rash to develop on both cheek
Urticaria (hives)
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