Causes of erythema toxicum

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

Symptoms of erythema toxicum

The erythema toxicum rash usually comes up 1-3 days after birth.

The erythema toxicum rash looks like a combination of flat, red patches, tiny red bumps and pus-filled bumps.

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.

Well and healthy babies can get erythema toxicum.

Premature babies are less likely to get erythema toxicum. Sometimes they get it several weeks after birth.

Treatment for erythema toxicum

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