Short answer: Most childhood rashes are caused by mild viral infections and get better on their own. Look at your child as well as the spots: are they drinking, peeing and responding as usual? Chickenpox means staying off nursery or school until all spots have scabbed (usually about five days); avoid ibuprofen unless a doctor advises it. Slapped cheek is no longer infectious once the rash appears, and children with hand, foot and mouth can go back once they feel well. Impetigo needs treatment. Get urgent help for a rash that doesn't fade under a glass, or a child who is very unwell.
There's something on your child's tummy. You take a photo, search online, and within five minutes it could be anything. Here are the most common culprits, and how to tell when it's more serious.
Chickenpox
Often starts with feeling unwell and a temperature, then itchy red spots that turn into blisters and then scabs. New spots appear for a few days, so you see different stages at once.
- Care: fluids, paracetamol for discomfort, cool clothing, short nails, and soothing creams or gels for itching.
- Avoid ibuprofen unless a doctor advises it, as it may cause serious skin infections.
- Nursery and school: stay off until all the spots have formed a scab, usually about five days after they first appeared.
- Keep away from newborn babies, pregnant people and anyone with a weakened immune system, for whom chickenpox can be dangerous.
Slapped cheek syndrome
Caused by parvovirus B19. Bright red cheeks, sometimes followed by a lacy rash on the body. Children often aren't very unwell.
- Nursery and school: no need to stay off once the rash has appeared — by then it's usually no longer infectious. Tell the school or nursery.
- Pregnancy: if you're pregnant and have been near someone with slapped cheek, tell your midwife or GP, as there's a very small risk of complications.
Roseola
Common in babies and toddlers. A high temperature for three to seven days, often in a child who otherwise seems fairly well, followed by a rash as the fever settles. Children usually recover within a week. The high temperature can sometimes trigger a febrile seizure — see fever in babies and children.
Hand, foot and mouth disease
Painful mouth ulcers and spots or blisters on the hands and feet (sometimes the bottom). The sore mouth can put children off eating and drinking.
- Care: offer cool drinks and soft foods; avoid acidic drinks such as fruit juice. Paracetamol or ibuprofen can ease a sore mouth.
- Watch for dehydration: fewer wet nappies or peeing less than usual needs urgent advice.
- Nursery and school: children can go back as soon as they feel well enough — there's no need to wait for blisters to heal.
Impetigo
A bacterial skin infection, often with red sores that burst and leave golden-brown crusts, commonly around the nose and mouth. It spreads easily. A pharmacist or GP can prescribe a cream or antibiotics; finish the full course. Impetigo stops being contagious 48 hours after starting treatment. Use separate towels and bedding meanwhile.
Look at the child, not just the spots. Are they drinking, peeing and responding to you?
Get urgent help if your child:
- has a rash that doesn't fade when you press a glass against it;
- is floppy, unusually drowsy or hard to wake, or has a stiff neck or dislikes bright light;
- has difficulty breathing;
- shows signs of dehydration — fewer wet nappies, a dry mouth, no tears;
- is under 3 months with a temperature of 38 °C or more;
- has a high temperature lasting more than 5 days.
Call 999 (UK), 911 (US) or 112 (EU) for a non-blanching rash with illness, breathing difficulty or a child who can't be woken. For other worries, contact your GP or NHS 111 (or your local equivalent). Always tell nursery or school about infectious illnesses.
Related reading
Month by month: The First Year (PDF, English) guides you through your baby's first twelve months.
Sources
- NHS — Chickenpox, Slapped cheek syndrome and Roseola.
- NHS — Hand, foot and mouth disease and Impetigo.
- NHS — When to get urgent medical help for babies and children under 5.
Written by the Bloom Guides editorial team. Last updated: 20 October 2026. General information only — not a substitute for advice from your GP, pharmacist or NHS 111.