Help with Identifing Rashes

Updated on August 15, 2008
L.B. asks from Dayton, TX
25 answers

My 16 month has developed a rash the is contained just mostly her cheek area. We have not given her any new foods, changed laudry detergent, or bath soap for her. Does anyone have any suggestions on what it could be? She has been teething lately (1st molars), could this bring on a rash. I don't want to rush her to the peditrician every time I see something new like some 1st time moms. It does not seem bothersome to her. Help!!!!

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So What Happened?

Thanks for all your help. I finally to my daughter to see her doctor and he said it was nothing. Probably for teething and playing on the carpet. He gave me some cream to clear it up and after using for two days her cheeks are already better.

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K.K.

answers from Austin on

My son has the same thing, you can try over the counter hydrocortisone it's usually 1%. If it doesn't work the doctor can Rx 2% hydrocortisone. Whenever it flares up, I dap a little and it's gone baby gone.

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W.B.

answers from Austin on

if she's drooling, it's probably from that. My son was a heavy drooler when he was teething. His cheeks and neck would get a rash from the drool.

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L.D.

answers from Houston on

L.- sometimes it can be from teething if she is not having anything else going on. Sometimes the extra acid in her system from this will cause several things to pop up.

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E.A.

answers from Houston on

My first child had no problems with this; however, my second little boy had an ISSUE. We finally figured out that it was baby wipes and sometimes PAPER napkins. Think carefully if you have done something as innocent as wiping her mouth with a paper napkin or maybe used a baby wipe to clean an excess food. This continued until he was about four. He's five now, and EVER SO OFTEN happens but he for the most part has grown out of it. Definitely NO anitibacterial wipes!! The only ones we could use was Wet Ones w/Aloe (blue and green container...NOT red, which is antibacterial) and Kleenex brand wipes with Aloe (also blue with green writing). Good Luck!!

E. in Cypress, Texas

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K.K.

answers from Killeen on

if her teething has caused a fever, then she could have a rash called rosacia (sp?). It's brought on by fevers and usually shows up in the cheeks and/or upper chest area...it's not painful, it's just some kids bodies' way of processing the fever.

If it doesn't go away on it's own when the teething stops, I would start worrying then...

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C.W.

answers from San Antonio on

Dear L.,
Rashes are very hard to identify unless they are looked at. So if you have any concerns, perhaps you may want to take her to the Pedi. for a brief evaluation. Is she in a daycare setting? Sometimes the little kiddos can develop what is called "fifths disease," or "slapped cheek," which is just another virus that needs to take it's course. However, it is usually seen around ages 5 and up, but if she is in a day care setting or has been around other children, she could very well develop this. Has she had a low grade temperature? Another thing to investigate is, has she had a sore throat? I am going to stop at this because I feel the Pedi. would be the best route for you to go. This does not mean you are running her to the doctors every time something is wrong, it just means you are gaining knowledge on what to do for your precious one. I am sending you a web site that speaks in "layman's" terms about kids and their health. Hopefully, this will help you. First time moms are learning and it gets better because by your second, third, etc... (depending on how many you want), you will be much more comfortable, but until than, don't feel bad when you are concerned. Call it a mothers intuition and just use the good judgment God has given you. Be Encouraged and look at it like this, she is building her immune system! Blessings!
http://kidshealth.org/

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R.L.

answers from Houston on

Has she had a runny nose? If so it could be impetigo which is a highly contagious infection but very common and easy to treat. Impetigo often looks like a rash or dry skin patch but will get worse without treatment so I owuld contact your pediatrician.

If you do not think it is impetigo, then it could just be dry skin or some other skin irritation. After her bath (wash with gentle soap and warm water) make sure to use a baby lotion and see if it improves. If it doesn't improve within a few days then I would call your pediatrician as it could be eczema or some other skin irritation that may require a prescription to clear up.

My son has eczema, and regular moisturizing often keeps it at bay, but sometimes he will have a breakout that only his prescription will clear up.

You can also call the nurse at your pediatricians office and see what she thinks, she may have some additional advice for you.

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V.L.

answers from Houston on

Roseola is a possibility. It looks like slapped cheeks. My daughter had it about the same age. Just a viral thing. Lots of TLC and fluids!! Good luck!!!

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A.H.

answers from San Antonio on

I would take her to the doctor. A rash on the face only that looks like sunburn could be fifths disease, or it could be an allergic reaction. There really is no way to tell unless the doctor sees it. Better to be safe. Good luck!

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C.M.

answers from Austin on

I have heard of teething rashes, but I also wonder if it could be Fifth's Disease (don't worry -- a very benign childhood illness that is usually nothing more than a red flush on the cheeks and maybe a mild fever and some lethargy). I wouldn't rush her to the pedi -- just call and run it by the nurse.

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C.B.

answers from Austin on

It could be drool. It has a very drying effect on the skin. Since she is teething she may be drooling in her sleep. Wipe it clean and put some baby moisturizer on it. It should clear up, if not go see the Dr. CB

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E.W.

answers from Odessa on

Probably just heat rash or maybe she is drooling a little bit while she sleeps and moisture on the skin can do that if it travels down the side of her face and gets stuck there between her and her pillow/sheets. I know what you mean about not wanting to call the doctor constantly! My kid is almost 3 and I still feel like taking her every time I think something is wrong, but I refrain because I know nothing is wrong...anyways, good luck :)

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S.W.

answers from Houston on

Good morning!! You may want to look into something called Fifth Disease. My son had it at a young age, I don't remember much, I would try and Google it... Good luck!!

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R.D.

answers from Austin on

Not that you probably want to look at a bunch of rashes, but here's a link to the Baby411 website rash collection. Baby411 is a book for parents that helps them decide whether to go to the doctor or not (and a wealth of other information too!).
Maybe you will be able to identify the rash from the pictures.
http://www.windsorpeak.com/baby411/rashorama.html

Good Luck!

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R.B.

answers from College Station on

Viruses can often cause a rash, and they usually follow a day or two after the fever from a virus goes away. By the time the rash appears, they are no longer contagious. A lot of rashes are designated as NSV (non-specific virus). If your daughter hasn't run a fever, though, I would look elsewhere for an explanation.

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S.O.

answers from San Antonio on

It could be the teething. It could also be a virus that gives a slapped cheek look. If it is either, it will go away on it's own.

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A.K.

answers from Houston on

If she is really teething it could just be from drool. My daughter had this really bad for a while. Drool and food iritate it more, especially if she uses a pacifier. It is red and bumpy, almost blistery. Try using aquaphor. You should see an improvement within 24 hrs. I also had to use 1% cortizone for her. If it doesn't get better after that then I would then call her doctor to see if you should come in. Just watch for fever just in case it may be something else. Good luck.

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T.H.

answers from Houston on

It may just be a touch of thrush. It's an infection that is usually treated with regular antibiotics. It just happens when the natural bacteria in their mouths get a little out of hand. Not a big deal, call it into your Dr. you may not even need a visit.

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K.S.

answers from Austin on

Hi L.,
My 16 month old had this at his last Dr's check up and I asked the pedi about it. She didn't really tell me what it was, but said to put over the counter hydrocortisone on it. I think my son's rash looked like a heat rash, but he is teething as well. Either way, the hydrocortisone made it go away.
K. S

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M.K.

answers from Houston on

my son always had a red rash on his cheeks, i also found out it was because i used wipes on his face a lot, when i used plain water and bounty it cleared up - if it has come all of a sudden it could be fifths disease, but usually you will have other rashes on the body also.
try not using wipes on her face for a few days.
teething can make the cheeks red definitly.

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J.S.

answers from San Antonio on

Is it raised or flat? If it is flat it could be fifth's disease (slap cheek) in which case there is nothing to do for it. It will eventually go away. If it isn't bothering her and you notice no other changes I wouldn't worry about it.

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A.T.

answers from Houston on

call the doc, it could be 5ths disease, not bad for children but the baby should not go anywhere near a pregnant mama.

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L.W.

answers from Austin on

My 7yr old would get red cheeked and sort of scaley while she was teething. I did ask the pediatrician and she said that it could be from the excess saliva irritating her skin. My daughter did not seemed bothered by it either.
If you are concerned enough then a quick trip to the doc's could not hurt. One thing I have learned after three kids it that, sometimes it is worth the trip to the doc's just to put mommy at ease. If mommy is relaxed and not worried then baby will be much more relaed as well. Good luck!-L. W.

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S.N.

answers from Houston on

hi L.,
my baby has the same thing. doesnt bother her either. i just called the doctor and he said it's probably a heat rash. it doesnt itch and it's not on her body, which would indicate a food allergy as well. i wasn't too worried about it, but just call your doc just in case. my baby is getting in her molars too, so you might be right about the connection. i'm a first time mom so i know what you mean, but i'm not one of those moms that rushes their baby to the doc at the first sign of something wrong. she seems happy, so that's a pretty good indicator that it's nothing serious. good luck!

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B.H.

answers from Houston on

My daughter would get red checks with a rash. It took us forever to discover that it was caused by using a papertowel to clean her face after meals and to wipe off drool. When we switched to a cloth washcloth the rash would clear up. I would also put Aveno (brand) cream on her cheeks to help clear it up.e

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