About pale skin

Pale-looking or whitish skin is rarely anything to worry about.

It’s normal for fair-skinned children to look pale in winter because of a lack of sunshine or when they’re feeling cold.

You should take your child to your GP if:

• you suspect your child is anaemic
• your child is generally unwell or pale, doesn’t have much energy, or has a fever
• your child has been bruising easily and having lots of nosebleeds
• your child easily gets dizzy or short of breath.

Note that pale skin caused by anaemia is rare in children.