About erythema toxicum
Erythema toxicum is a harmless rash.
It’s very common in newborns and 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 babies with dark skin, the rash might look brown, purple or grey. On babies with light skin, the rash might look red.
Erythema toxicum can come up anywhere on the 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.
Medical help: when to get it for babies with erythema toxicum
You usually don’t need to see a doctor about erythema toxicum.
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 or not feeding well
- has a fever
- isn’t producing wet nappies
- seems generally unwell.
Treatment for erythema toxicum
The erythema toxicum rash is harmless and not contagious, so your baby doesn’t need any special treatment. The rash will go away by itself after a few days.
Causes of erythema toxicum
We don’t know what causes erythema toxicum. We do know that it isn’t caused by an infection.