Causes of Baby Rash

Written by Yao Li Qin

Pediatrics

Updated on April 23, 2025

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Infantile roseola, also known as roseola infantum, is a common acute exanthematous infectious disease in infants and young children, mostly occurring under the age of two, with a peak incidence between 7 to 13 months of age. It is rare in children younger than three months and older than four years. The disease primarily occurs as sporadic infections, followed by lasting immunity, with occasional second occurrences. The main cause of roseola in infants is the herpes virus, specifically human herpesvirus types 6 and 7, which are the main pathogens. Other viruses, such as Coxsackievirus A16, adenovirus, and parainfluenza virus, can also cause roseola in infants.

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Written by Chen Si

Pediatrics

56sec

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How to care for children with roseola

Roseola in infants generally does not require special treatment. It is important to control body temperature promptly to prevent it from getting too high or rising too quickly, which could lead to febrile convulsions. Skin rashes usually appear after the fever subsides, typically in the order of the forehead and face, torso, and extremities. These rashes are neither painful nor itchy, but they might cause irritability in children. There is no need for additional medicated creams for the rashes to prevent further skin issues caused by medications. Dietary recommendations include light, easily digestible food, and there are no specific foods that need to be avoided. Normal bathing and keeping warm to prevent catching a cold are also advised, and normal outdoor activities do not adversely affect children with roseola.

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Written by Li Jiao Yan

Neonatology

1min 33sec

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How should one handle roseola in toddlers?

Infantile roseola is a common febrile rash illness in infants, the main manifestation of which is high fever lasting for three to five days. When the fever subsides, a maculopapular rash appears on the skin. During the illness, it is important to ensure that the room is well-ventilated and to avoid taking the child to crowded places to prevent worsening of the condition due to cross-infection. Additionally, if the child has a high fever or feels unwell, appropriate fever-reducing treatments should be given. If physical cooling is not effective, suitable antipyretic medicine should be administered. Also, the child should not wear too many clothes or be covered with thick blankets during the fever to avoid impairing heat dissipation. If the child sweats a lot when the fever subsides, be sure to change their clothes promptly to prevent catching cold. During the illness, the child should drink plenty of water, preferably warm. As for diet, it is important to consume light and easily digestible food and properly supplement with vitamin C. If breastfeeding, the mother should be cautious not to consume spicy and greasy food since the baby's gastrointestinal tract is relatively weak during illness. If the mother's diet is too spicy or greasy, it could potentially exacerbate the baby's gastrointestinal burden, leading to diarrhea or vomiting.

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Written by Gong Hui

Pediatrics

40sec

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What age do children typically get roseola?

Exanthem subitum in infants is a viral infectious disease caused by human herpesvirus type 6 and type 7. Newborns initially acquire protective antibodies from their mothers. Generally, after five to six months, as antibody levels decrease, the likelihood of contracting a virus such as human herpesvirus increases. The peak age for contracting exanthem subitum is between six months and two years, although this can vary. Children aged three to four, who have not contracted exanthem subitum or the human herpesvirus before the age of two, can still contract the disease.

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Written by Yao Li Qin

Pediatrics

1min 12sec

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How to treat roseola infantum?

Pediatric acute rash is a common febrile rash disease seen in infants and young children, mostly occurring between six months to one and a half years old. Its main symptom is a fever for three days followed by a rash as the fever subsides. Before the rash appears, it is not known to be pediatric acute rash. The treatment mainly involves symptomatic management, as it is caused by a viral infection, so some antiviral medications can be taken. Symptomatic treatment primarily involves reducing fever. The principle for fever reduction is that if the body temperature exceeds 38.5 degrees Celsius, give the child fever-reducing medication, such as ibuprofen suspension; below 38.5, physical cooling methods are sufficient. Once the fever has lasted three days and the rash appears confirming pediatric acute rash, all medications can be discontinued. The child should drink plenty of water and rest. Generally, the rash will fully develop within about 24 hours, and then naturally subside over the following three to five days.

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Written by Hu Qi Feng

Pediatrics

47sec

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How to relieve itching from baby rash?

Roseola infantum is caused by human herpesvirus infection, primarily characterized by high fever for three to five days. After the fever subsides, a rash appears. The rash, consisting of small, dense red maculopapules, is primarily located on the trunk and face, with fewer occurrences on the limbs. The entire rash appears in one day and gradually fades the following day. The rash does not cause itching, so there is generally no need for special anti-itch medications. The rash usually fades gradually the day after it appears and leaves no scars once it has cleared. The appearance of the rash after the fever subsides indicates that the herpesvirus infection is nearing recovery, requiring no special treatment.