This is a harmless rash which often affects babies from the second day of their life and is more common in full term babies.
It affects around 50% of newborn babies in the first week of their life. It may start a little later in premature babies.
This rash causes tiny yellow or white lumps to form that have a ring of red around them. Sometimes the lumps contain fluid, which is not pus, it is simply red blood cells and is not infected.
The rash often occurs on the babies’ face or body and may come and go and has a variable appearance.
It generally goes away within 1-2 weeks after it starts.
A medical professional will be able to diagnose this very common and harmless condition.
What causes erythema toxicum?
We don’t know why it occurs.
One theory suggests that it occurs because newborns hair follicles and oil glands aren’t fully formed. The inflammation and bacteria around the hair follicles may be the reason for the rash. As the hair follicles start to form and work properly, the rash disappears.
Symptoms of erythema toxicum
- Small, fluid-filled bumps – they may disappear and form in new areas and get paler when slight pressure is applied to them
- Skin rash – around the bumps, which looks like red patches
While the bumps may look like they have pus, they are not infectious.
They generally occur on parts of the body that has hair follicles:
- arms
- legs
- chest
- face
The bumps don’t appear on the soles of the feet or palms of the hands.
Treatment of erythema toxicum
There is no treatment for erythema toxicum. The bumps and rash go away within 5-14 days after they start. They may come back in a few weeks but they go away. Sometimes they come back a few more times but typically, they will resolve within 6 weeks.
Avoid touching or picking the bumps as this can lead to a skin infection.
References
- Erythema toxicum of the newborn. DermNet. Accessed 5 July 2024
- Erythema toxicum neonatum. American Osteopathic College of Dermatology. Accessed 5 July 2024
- Erythema toxicum neonatum. Medscape eMedicine. Accessed 5 July 2024
Last reviewed and updated: 5 July 2024
