Health Resources

Rashes, Localized and Cause Unknown

Symptom Definition

• Rash on one part of the body (localized or clustered)
• Red or pink rash (erythema)
• Small spots, large spots or solid red
• Main Cause: skin contact with some irritant
• Common Causes: 8 rashes that you may be able to recognize are listed below. If not, use this guideline.

See More Appropriate Topic for a Non-Itchy Rash

• NEWBORN RASHES 
• DIAPER RASH 
• HAND-FOOT-MOUTH DISEASE 
• IMPETIGO (infected sores)

See More Appropriate Topic for an Itchy Rash

• ATHLETE'S FOOT 
• INSECT BITES 
• POISON IVY 
• RINGWORM 

Call Your Doctor Now (night or day) If

• Your child looks or acts very sick
• Purple or blood-colored spots or dots that's not from injury or friction
• Bright red area or red streak (but not sunburn)
• Rash area is very painful
• Newborn (< 1 month old) with tiny water blisters (like chickenpox)

Call Your Doctor Within 24 Hours (between 9 and 4) If

• You think your child needs to be seen
• Severe itching or fever is present
• Teenager with genital area rash

Call Your Doctor During Weekday Office Hours If

• You have other questions or concerns
• Looks like a boil or infected sore or other infected rash
• Peeling fingers
• Rash lasts > 7 days

Parent Care at Home

• Mild localized rash and you don’t think your child needs to be seen

Home Care Advice for Localized Rashes

1. Avoid the Cause: Try to find the cause. Consider irritants like a plant (e.g. poison ivy), chemicals (e.g. solvents or insecticides), Fiberglass, detergents, a new cosmetic, or new jewelry). A pet may be the intermediary (e.g. with poison ivy or oak) or your child may react directly to pet saliva.
2. Avoid Soap: Wash the area once thoroughly with soap to remove any remaining irritants. Thereafter avoid soaps to this area. Cleanse the area when needed with warm water.
3. Local Cold: Apply or soak in cold water for 20 minutes every 3 to 4 hours to reduce itching or pain.
4. Steroid Cream: If the itch is more than mild, apply 1% hydrocortisone cream (no prescription needed) every 2 hours until it feels better, then 4 times per day. (Exception: suspected ringworm)
5. Avoid Scratching: Encourage the child not to scratch. Cut the fingernails short.
6. Contagiousness: Children with localized rashes do not need to miss any day care or school.
7. Expected Course: Most of these rashes pass in 2 to 3 days.
8. Call Your Doctor If
   • Rash spreads or becomes worse
   • Rash lasts > 1 week
   • Your child becomes worse or develops any of the “Call Your Doctor” symptoms

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