Baby rash identification chart
Narrow down 13 common baby and toddler rashes by where they are, fever and itch, then open the guide for care tips and when to call.
Check these first: call 911 or go to the ER now if
- Rash that does not fade when you press a clear glass against it (possible petechiae or purpura)
- Baby under 3 months with a temperature of 100.4°F (38°C) or higher
- Swelling of lips, tongue or face, or trouble breathing
- Floppy, very hard to wake, or inconsolable crying
Filter by what you see
13 of 13 rashes match.
- Hand, foot and mouth disease Painful sores or ulcers in the mouth, plus flat or raised red spots, sometimes small blisters, on palms, soles and often the bottom.
- Cradle cap Greasy yellow or white scales and crusts on the scalp, sometimes flaky and dry. Usually not itchy or bothersome to the baby.
- Roseola Small pink flat or slightly raised spots that appear on the trunk AFTER 3–5 days of high fever, just as the fever breaks.
- Baby acne Small red or white bumps on the face, sometimes worse when baby is warm or fussy.
- Diaper rash Red, sore-looking skin on the bottom, genitals and thighs where the diaper touches. Folds are often spared in simple irritant rash.
- Heat rash Tiny red or clear pinpoint bumps in areas that sweat or are covered, like the neck and chest.
- Eczema Dry, rough, red or darker patches that may ooze or crust. Very itchy. In babies often on cheeks and outer arms and legs; in toddlers in elbow and knee creases.
- Hives Raised, itchy welts with pale centres that move around, appearing and fading within hours.
- Milia Tiny pearly white or yellow bumps, like grains of sand under the skin, present at or soon after birth.
- Erythema toxicum Blotchy red patches with small yellow-white bumps in the centre, which move around from day to day. Baby is otherwise well.
- Chickenpox Itchy red spots that turn into fluid-filled blisters, then crust over, arriving in waves so you see all stages at once.
- Impetigo Red sores that burst and form golden, honey-coloured crusts, often around the nose and mouth.
- Petechiae and purpura urgentTiny pinpoint red, purple or brown dots (petechiae) or larger bruise-like patches (purpura) that do NOT fade when pressed with a glass.
The glass test, step by step
Pressing a clear glass on a rash tells you whether blood is in the tiny vessels (it squeezes out and the spots fade) or has leaked under the skin (the spots stay). Pick a rash type, then slide to press.
Questions parents ask
How do I identify my baby’s rash?
Note where it is, what it looks like (flat spots, bumps, blisters, scaly patches, raised welts), whether there is a fever and whether it itches. Use the filters above to narrow it down, then read the matching guide. Your pediatrician can confirm.
Which baby rashes are an emergency?
A rash that does not fade when pressed with a glass, a rash with fever in a baby under 3 months, or any rash with face or tongue swelling, breathing trouble or a floppy, unwell child needs emergency care.
Why is there no photo of each rash?
Rashes look different on different skin tones, and a single photo can mislead. We use pattern keys and written descriptions instead. The NHS and DermNet have photo libraries across skin tones if you want to compare, and your pediatrician can look in person or by photo.
How do rashes look on darker skin?
Redness can be harder to see; rashes may look purple, grey, brown or darker than the surrounding skin. Feel for raised texture and check paler areas such as palms, soles and inside the mouth.