Skin rashes are common in babies and children.
- Most rashes are harmless and go away on their own.
- The causes of skin rashes tend to differ in babies compared to older children. Many viruses can cause a rash as well as other symptoms such as fever and cough. The rash often varies in shape and size, usually appearing as blotchy red spots commonly affecting most of the body. They sometimes appear quite quickly and can last from a few days to several weeks. These rashes are generally ‘non-specific’, which means that it is often hard to say which specific virus is the cause.
- See also our page: A visual guide to rashes and other skin conditions in babies and children.