Rashes can be caused by viruses , bacteria , medicines, heat, allergies, and many other things. Many are only a minor annoyance. But some can be serious and need medical treatment. Signs and Symptoms redness spots on the skin scaly skin itchiness swelling bumps blisters pimples What to Do To ease discomfort: add a few cups of oatmeal to the bath pat the skin dry (instead of rubbing) after a bath or shower don't scrub or scratch the affected skin leave the rash exposed to the air as much as possible Get Medical Care if: your child also has a fever your child looks sick there are tiny red dots that can't be felt when touched and don't fade when pressed there are bruises not related to injuries there is no improvement after a week Think Prevention! Rashes can be hard to avoid. But some types can be prevented: Have kids avoid people with contagious skin rashes. For allergic rashes, try to avoid the substance that causes the reaction. Use sunscreen to avoid sunburn. If your child gets eczema flare-ups, avoid harsh soaps. Back to Articles Related Articles Pityriasis Rosea This harmless rash often forms a telltale "Christmas tree" pattern on the back that makes it easy to identify. Read More Diaper Rash Diaper rash is a very common infection that can cause a baby's skin to become sore, red, scaly, and tender. In most cases, it clears up with simple changes in diapering. Read More Hives (Urticaria) Has your child broken out in welts? It could be a case of the hives. Learn how to soothe itchy bumps and help your child feel better. Read More Erythema Multiforme By the looks of the "bulls-eye" marks this rash leaves on the skin, you might think it's cause for concern. But erythema multiforme clears up on its own within a few weeks. Read More Erythema Toxicum Erythema toxicum is a common rash seen in full-term newborns. No treatment is needed and it goes away on its own. Read More Fifth Disease Especially common in kids between the ages of 5 and 15, fifth disease is a viral illness that produces a distinctive red rash on the face, body, arms, and legs. Read More Molluscum Contagiosum Molluscum contagiosum is a common viral skin infection. For most children, the rash isn't a big deal and goes away on its own over time. Read More Ringworm Ringworm isn't a worm at all - it's the name for a type of fungal skin infection. The good news is that ringworm is easy to treat. Read More Molluscum Contagiosum The skin rash molluscum contagiosum isn't a big deal. Find out what to do about it in this article for teens. Read More Word Find: Skin Find the hidden words related to skin. Read More Poison Ivy Poison ivy can grow anywhere, from the woods to your backyard. This article for teens has tips on how to avoid the plant and what to do if you get a rash. Read More Poison Ivy Poison ivy can give you a nasty rash. Find out more about it - and the other plants that can make you itch - in this article for kids. Read More Poison Ivy Most people get a reaction to poison ivy. Check out this article for tips on what to do and how to avoid poison ivy. Read More Rashes Learn about rashes in a flash. Check out our article just for kids! Read More Your Skin No matter how you think of it, your skin is very important. It covers and protects everything inside your body. Read More Hives (Urticaria) Hives cause raised red bumps or welts on the skin. They're pretty common and usually not serious. Find out what to do about hives in this article for teens. Read More Eczema Eczema is a common skin problem among teens. If you have eczema, read this article to find out more about it and how you can deal with the skin stress. Read More Eczema (Atopic Dermatitis) Eczema can be an itchy nuisance and cause scratching that makes the problem worse. Many kids who have eczema today will be over it by the time they're teens. Read More Impetigo Impetigo is a strange-sounding word that might be new to you. It's an infection of the skin caused by bacteria. Read this article to learn more about it. Read More Shingles Shingles isn't very common in kids - it mostly affects older people. Find out what causes shingles, symptoms to watch for, and what to do if your child has it. Read More Pityriasis Rosea Pityriasis rosea is a pink or gray skin rash that's common in teens and young adults. It may itch, but it's harmless. Find out what to do about it in this article for teens. Read More Ringworm Ringworm is a type of fungal skin infection. The good news is that ringworm is easy to treat. Read More Ringworm Ringworm isn't a worm at all - it's the name for a type of fungal skin infection. The good news is that ringworm is easy to treat. Read More Impetigo Impetigo is a skin infection caused by fairly common bacteria. Read this article to learn how to recognize it and what to do about it. Read More Impetigo Impetigo is a contagious skin infection that causes blisters or sores on the face, neck, hands, and diaper area. Learn how this common problem is treated and what can help prevent it. Read More Scabies Scabies is an infestation that affects the skin, and is caused by a mite that burrows into the top layer of skin. It causes itching and bumps or blisters. Read More Scarlet Fever Scarlet fever is an illness caused by a strep infection. It causes a red, bumpy rash that spreads over most of the body, and is treated with antibiotics. Read More Chigger Bites Chiggers are tiny red mites whose bites aren't painful but do cause intense itching. Home care can help the itchiness. Read More First Aid: Diaper Rash Diaper rash is a common skin condition in babies. In most cases, the condition clears up quickly with a few simple changes. Read More Note: All information is for educational purposes only. 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