Rashes in children are quite common and are most often viral (in which case they might be accompanied by fever and mild cold symptoms) or related to an allergic response to a food or a medicine (in which case they are often itchy and might improve with a dose of liquid Benadryl). Rashes often cover the child from head to toe and look quite impressive, but don’t seem to bother the child much.
Rashes become more worrisome if they appear purple or bruise-like, don’t blanch when you press on them (the redness should briefly go away and then come back) or if the rash is bright red AND tender to the touch. In addition, it is also concerning if your child has a rash and looks very ill. Be sure to call us if these features emerge.
