Erythema Toxicum: How to Care for Your Child

Erythema toxicum is a harmless skin rash in healthy newborns. It usually goes away within 2 weeks without treatment.

Erythema toxicum is a common rash that can develop within the first few days of birth. It may look like small fluid-filled bumps surrounded by a ring of redness. Sometimes there are no bumps, only splotchy red marks. There might be just a few skin marks or there can be many. The rash usually is on the chest, arms, legs, and face but not the palms or the bottom of the feet. It may change quickly, fading in some areas then appearing in other areas within hours or days.

The exact cause of this rash is unknown, but it is not painful and does not make your baby feel sick.

After talking to you and examining your baby, the health care provider diagnosed erythema toxicum. Since this is not a dangerous condition and does not require treatment, you can care for your baby at home.

Care for your newborn's skin normally:

• Sponge bathe your baby with a gentle washcloth until the umbilical cord falls off, which usually takes about 1–4 weeks.

• Do not bathe your baby in a tub until after the first week of life and after the umbilical cord has fallen off.

• Most babies only need to be bathed 2–3 times per week.

• Use warm water and a baby-specific liquid cleanser that is mild and unscented.

• The skin bumps get worse or have not gone away by about 2 weeks of age.

• Your baby develops a new rash.

• Your baby isn't feeding well.

• Your baby has a fever of 100.4°F (38°C) or higher when the temperature is taken rectally.

• Your baby seems floppy, fussy, or very drowsy.