When to worry about rashes on toddlers

Anybody who has ever raised a toddler will tell you how full-on it can be. Toddlers are constantly on the go: running, jumping, crawling, and exploring. They are also curious, touching everything they see, making new friends in playgroups or nurseries and playing with anything that they can get their hands on.

This is great for their personal and social development, but also means that their health can sometimes be affected. Meeting more people and coming into contact with new things means encountering new germs, diseases and viruses. This is why toddlers can often have a snotty nose, a cough, or the occasional skin rash. The question a lot of parents ask, however, is when to worry about rashes on toddlers.

Generally, rashes are nothing to worry about. They can actually be quite positive as they help to build children’s immune systems and teach their bodies to fight off new illnesses. Most rashes can be treated with at-home remedies or over-the-counter creams that our pharmacists at VSM can recommend. However, occasionally, rashes can mean something more serious. This article will take you through the different types of rashes, the symptoms that come with them and when to worry about rashes on toddlers. This will equip you to handle any skin issues that might come your toddler’s way.

When to worry about rashes on toddlers

Rash with a high temperature

A rash on one or both cheeks and/or a spotty rash on the back, chest, and arms of your child, alongside a temperature, sore throat, and a headache could mean slapped cheek syndrome. Typically, slapped cheek syndrome is nothing to worry about and can be treated at home. Rest, plenty of fluids and moisturiser will help symptoms. Speak to a pharmacist at VSM, either online or in-store at our Camberley pharmacy, to see if paracetamol or ibuprofen would be appropriate to alleviate symptoms. We can also recommend the best antihistamine to treat itchy skin in young children.

Rash caused by heat

A rash that feels prickly or itchy and is made of small, red spots, could be a heat rash. Heat rash is not severe and can typically be treated at home. The best way to treat heat rash is to keep skin cool with loose cotton clothing, cool baths and plenty of fluids. A cold compress can be used to ease the itching or prickly feeling, and avoid scented gels or creams on the area.

Rash with scaly or cracked skin

Dry and cracked skin that is itchy, and sometimes red, could mean eczema. Eczema is often very common in babies and toddlers. Visit the VSM Pharmacy in Camberley where we will be able to advise an over-the-counter cream or gel to soothe dry and cracked skin. However, if this does not help, it may be advised to see your GP who will be able to prescribe a stronger-acting cream. If you live in Camberley, Farnborough or Frimley you may be able to order this prescription via our online pharmacy.

Raised and itchy spots

Raised and itchy spots (or hives), can often be caused by an allergic reaction. If this is the only symptom, there is often nothing to worry about and a pharmacist at VSM can recommend an antihistamine which will reduce the symptoms. It may also be helpful to try and work out what caused the reaction. Often ingredients in household items such as shower gel or laundry detergent can cause a reaction, so take note of the ingredients in any products you have changed recently. However, if the rash is accompanied by other symptoms such as swelling around the mouth or trouble breathing, call 999.

Rough and raised rash

A rash that feels like sandpaper across the face and body, accompanied by symptoms such as a high temperature and swollen neck glands, could be scarlet fever. If you believe your child has scarlet fever you should see a GP.

Spotty rash on head and neck

If a rash appears spotty on a child’s head and neck, alongside cold-like symptoms, it could be measles. If you suspect that your child could have measles, visit your GP.

Small spots or blisters

Small, red spots and blisters that cover the body could be chickenpox. Chickenpox comes in three stages: red spots, which turn to blisters, which turn to scabs. These are often accompanied by symptoms such as a high temperature, aches and pains and a loss of appetite. Chickenpox is very common in young children and can be treated from home. Plenty of fluids, cool baths and loose clothing can help alleviate symptoms. You may also visit VSM to see if calamine and zinc based products  would be appropriate to help with symptoms, and we may also be able to recommend a cooling cream or gel. Ensure that your child is kept at home and doesn’t attend school or nursery as chicken pox is highly contagious.

Itchy and round rash

An itchy and dry ring-shaped rash could be ringworm. A pharmacist at VSM will be able to help you treat this. Anti-fungal medicine may be recommended to get rid of ringworm and this treatment can be done at home. As well as this, ensure to regularly wash towels and bedsheets.

If in doubt

If you are unsure about the cause of your child’s rash or how to alleviate the symptoms, please visit our Camberley pharmacy. Here we will be able to recommend treatments, over-the-counter products or, if necessary, a GP visit.

When to worry about a rash on toddler

Visit A&E or call 999 immediately if your child experiences any of the following symptoms alongside a rash:

– Difficulty breathing or breathlessness
– A stiff neck
– Confusion
– Bothered by light
– Skin, lips or tongue that look pale, blue, grey or blotchy

For more information, visit the NHS website.