Fever and rash in infants: what parents should know

Fever with a rash in an infant should be discussed with a healthcare professional, particularly when the baby seems unwell or is very young. Babies can become dehydrated or deteriorate quickly, and the rash pattern does not reliably show how serious the illness is.

A viral infection may cause fever, reduced appetite, and spots or patches. Chickenpox often brings itchy blister-like lesions, while bronchiolitis or croup may add breathing symptoms without explaining every type of rash. Consider the baby's age, feeding, wet nappies, alertness, breathing, and whether the rash fades under gentle pressure. Record whether it began before or after the fever.

Keep the infant comfortably dressed and offer breast milk or formula more often, unless a clinician has given different advice. Check temperature using an appropriate method and write down the reading and time. Do not give aspirin, use adult medicines, or apply unfamiliar creams. Wash hands, avoid sharing towels, and keep the baby away from people who are vulnerable while an infectious illness is possible.

Seek urgent help if the infant is difficult to wake, has a weak cry, struggles to breathe, has blue or grey lips, refuses feeds, has markedly fewer wet nappies, develops a seizure, or has a purple or bruise-like rash that does not fade when pressed. Get prompt advice for fever with a rapidly spreading rash, repeated vomiting, a swollen face, or a baby who looks unusually ill.

Ask how the temperature should be checked, which fluids and medicines are appropriate for the infant's age, and whether an examination or testing is needed. Tell the clinician about feeding, wet nappies, breathing, recent vaccines, new products, and contact with anyone who is ill.