About pale skin

Pale skin in children and teenagers is rarely anything to worry about.

Light-skinned children can look pale in winter because of reduced sun exposure or because they feel cold.

In rare cases, pale skin can be a sign of anaemia, infections, breathing issues and other underlying medical conditions.

Medical help: when to get it for children with pale skin

You should take your child to the GP if your child:

• has signs of anaemia – pale skin, mouth, tongue, inner eyelids and palms
• is generally unwell or has a fever
• feels weak or doesn’t have much energy
• has been bruising easily and having a lot of nosebleeds
• easily gets dizzy or short of breath
• has yellow skin or eyes, or darker wee or lighter poo than usual.

Signs that your child needs urgent medical attention include severe pain, drowsiness, sudden pale or blue skin, dehydration, troubled breathing, seizures and reduced responsiveness.