Skin rashes in children

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 cheeks. This can look alarming, but it usually clears up by itself in one to three weeks.

Unless your child is feeling unwell, they don't need to stay away from school. Once the rash appears, the infection is no longer contagious. However, it's a good idea to notify your child's school about the infection.

Medically Reviewed by a doctor on 21 Dec 2018

Articles for skin rashes in children

Introduction

Information and advice about common childhood rashes, including chickenpox, eczema, impetigo, measles, psoriasis, ringworm, scabies and slapped cheek syndrome.

Cellulitis

Cellulitis is an infection of the deeper layers of skin and underlying tissue. The affected area will be red, painful, swollen and hot. It often affects the legs, but can occur anywhere on the body. Y

Chickenpox

Chickenpox is a viral illness that most children catch at some point. It most commonly affects children under 10 years of age. A rash of itchy spots turns into fluid-filled blisters.They crust over

Erythema multiforme

Erythema multiforme is a skin rash(usually mild) that's caused by an allergic reaction to the herpes simplex virus . The spots look like targets, with a dark red centre and paler ring around the ou

Hand, foot and mouth disease

Hand, foot and mouth disease is a common, contagious infection that causes mouth ulcers and spots and blisters on the palms of the hands and soles of the feet. It's most common in young children (p

Impetigo

Impetigo is a common and highly contagious skin infection that causes sores and blisters. It isn't usually serious and often improves within a week of treatment. There are two types of impetigo bullou

Keratosis pilaris ("chicken skin")

Keratosis pilaris is a common and harmless skin condition. The skin on the back of the upper arms becomes rough and bumpy, as if covered in permanent goose pimples. Sometimes, the buttocks, thighs, fo

Measles

Measles is a highly infectious illness that most commonly affects young children. It's now rare in the UK because of the effectiveness ofthe measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine . The measles r

Pityriasis rosea

Pityriasis rosea is a relatively common skin condition that causesa temporary rash of raised, red scaly patches to develop on the body.Most cases occur in older children and young adults (aged between

Psoriasis

Psoriasis is a long-lasting (chronic) skin condition that causes red, flaky, crusty patches of skin covered with silvery scales. The severity of psoriasis varies greatly from person to person.For s

Ringworm

Ringworm is a highly infectious fungal skin infection that causes a ring-like red or silvery patch on the skin that can be scaly, inflamed or itchy. Ringworm often affects the arms and legs, but it

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

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)

Urticaria also known as hives, weals, welts or nettle rash is a raised, itchy rash that can affect one part of the body or be spread across large areas.It'sa common skin reaction that often affects c

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