• Skip to content
  • Skip to navigation
Raising Children Network
  • Pregnancy
  • Newborns
  • Babies
  • Toddlers
  • Preschoolers
  • School age
  • Pre-teens
  • Teens
  • Grown-ups
  • Autism
  • Disability

About erythema toxicum

Erythema toxicum is a harmless rash, which many newborns get. It happens in up to half of all term babies. It’s less common in premature babies.

It’s also called ‘toxic erythema of the newborn’ or ‘erythema toxicum neonatorum’.

Symptoms of erythema toxicum

In term babies who get erythema toxicum, the rash usually comes up 1-3 days after birth. In premature babies who get it, the rash usually starts several weeks after birth.

The erythema toxicum rash looks like a combination of flat patches, tiny bumps and pus-filled bumps. On children with darker skin, the rash might look brown, purple or grey. On children with lighter skin, the rash might look red.

Erythema toxicum can come up on any part of your baby’s body, but it usually starts on the face. It sometimes spreads to the arms, legs and torso. It doesn’t usually come up on palms of the hands and soles of the feet.

The rash tends to come and go over a few days. It doesn’t leave scars.

Babies with erythema toxicum are usually well and healthy. They’re generally not bothered by the rash.

Does your child need to see a doctor about erythema toxicum?

No. But you should see your GP or paediatrician if you’re concerned about your baby, or your baby:

  • has a rash that’s spreading
  • is fussy, not feeding well, has a fever, isn’t producing wet nappies or seems generally unwell.

Treatment for erythema toxicum

Your baby doesn’t need any special treatment because the erythema toxicum rash is harmless and not contagious. It will go away by itself after a week or so.

Causes of erythema toxicum

We don’t really know what causes erythema toxicum. We do know that it isn’t caused by an infection.

Supported By

  • Department of Social Services

Raising Children Network is supported by the Australian Government. Member organisations are the Parenting Research Centre and the Murdoch Childrens Research Institute with The Royal Children’s Hospital Centre for Community Child Health.

Member Organisations

  • Parenting Research Centre
  • The Royal Children's Hospital Melbourne
  • Murdoch Children's Research Institute

Follow us on social media

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • YouTube
  • Twitter
Join 60,000 subscribers who receive free parenting news. Sign up now
Aboriginal flag (c) WAM Clothing
Torres Strait Islands flag
At raisingchildren.net.au we acknowledge the traditional custodians of the land on which we live, gather and work. We recognise their continuing connection to land, water and community. We pay respect to Elders past, present and emerging.
  • Privacy statement
  • Terms of use

© 2006-2023 Raising Children Network (Australia) Limited. All rights reserved.

Warning: This website and the information it contains is not intended as a substitute for professional consultation with a qualified practitioner.

This website is certified by Health On the Net Foundation (HON) and complies with the HONcode standard for trustworthy health information.