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Information about many different types of rashes seen in newborns – this includes some that are very normal, and one that is very dangerous.
Uncommon and Very Serious Newborn Rash – Herpes Simplex Virus
Appearance: Several water blisters or pimples grouped in a cluster. They look like the cold sores (fever blisters) that an adult might get on their lip. After several days, they crust over.
Location: Just one part of the body, usually the scalp or face.
Redness: The base can be pink. The pinkness does not extend beyond the cluster of vesicles.
Onset: Within the first 2 weeks of life.
There can be serious complications if a newborn has this infection. Early treatment with anti-viral drugs can prevent these complications.
If you think your newborn’s rash looks like herpes, you need to call your child’s primary care provider now.
Images and captions from DermNet - Click link for more pictures and information:
Normal and Common Newborn Rashes
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Milia – tiny white bumps on the nose and cheeks (present at birth)
Erythema Toxicum – red blotches with small white "pimple" in the center (onset day 2 or 3 of life)
Drooling Rash – rash around the mouth and on the chin (onset week 3 or 4 of life)
Heat Rash - rash after being in the same position for an extended period of time
Acne – small red bumps on the face
Forceps or Birth Canal Injury
The pressure of forceps (a tool used to help babies having trouble being born) on the skin can leave marks. You may see bruises or scrapes anywhere on the head or face.
Even without a forceps delivery, you may see bruises or scrapes after your baby is born. During the birth process, skin over bony areas can become injured. You might see this on the sides of the head. This is from pressure from the birth canal.
Fetal monitors can also cause scrapes and scabs on the scalp.
The bruises and scrapes are usually first noticed on the 1st or 2nd day of life. They usually go away in 1 to 2 weeks.
A fat tissue injury won’t appear until day 5 to 10. Look for a firm coin-shaped lump. It will be under the skin and sometimes have a scab. This lump may take 3 or 4 weeks to go away.
For any breaks in the skin, you can apply an antibiotic ointment like Polysporin 3 times per day until they are healed. No prescription is needed.
Call Your Primary Care Provider If:
It becomes tender to the touch.
It becomes soft in the center.
It starts to look infected – there is pus draining or spreading redness.
Milia
Milia occurs in almost half of newborn babies.
Images from: DermNet
Milia are tiny white bumps that occur on the face. Usually there are multiple spots close together.
They are most common on the nose and cheeks but can also be seen on the forehead and chin. They occur equally on both sides of the face.
Although they look like pimples, they are much smaller (pinhead size). They do not look like they have fluid inside.
They are blocked-off skin pores. They are not infected.
Milia will go away by 1 to 2 months of age.
No treatment is needed. Ointments or creams can make them worse.
Erythema Toxicum
More than half of babies get a rash called erythema toxicum.
It usually appears on the second or third day of life.
The rash is made up of red blotches and bumps. They can come and go and sometimes look like insect bites.
They can occur anywhere on the body surface, except the palms and soles.
It is harmless. We don’t know what causes these bumps, but they are not an infection.
No treatment is needed.
Images from DermNet
Drooling or Spit-up Rash
Many babies have a rash on the chin or cheeks that comes and goes.
This is often due to contact with food or milk.
If your baby spits-up a lot, it can also be from acid that has been spit up from the stomach. Longer contact with spit-up during sleep can cause the rash to get worse.
Rinse the face with water after all feedings and spitting up. You do not need to use soap.
To decrease the chances of this rash developing, you can apply aquaphor or vaseline on the chin and cheeks before feeds. This will act as a barrier to protect the skin.
Heat rash
This can occur when a baby is held in the same position for an extended period of time, like during feeds, car rides, or being in their stroller.
Heat rashes are more common in the summertime.
To prevent this rash, change your baby’s position more often during hot weather.
You can apply a cool washcloth to this rash to help it go away.
Baby/Neonatal Acne
More than 3 out of 10 newborns develop baby acne of the face.
These are small red bumps.
This baby acne begins at 3 or 4 weeks of age. It lasts until 4 to 6 months of age.
The cause appears to be the transfer of maternal hormones just prior to birth.
Since it goes away on its own, no treatment is needed. Baby oil or ointments make it worse.
Call your child’s healthcare team if:
Your baby’s rash starts to look infected – spreading redness, warm to the touch, tender to the touch, or drainage develop.
Your baby starts looking or acting sick.
Your baby starts looking or acting abnormal in any way.
Your baby has a fever.
Your baby is not feeding well.
You think your baby needs to be seen.
This publication was adapted from AAP Patient education materials.
Images are presented per the Image Use Policy of The Full Spectrum of Dermatology: A Diverse and Inclusive Atlas and DermNet.
Reviewed by: JJ M.D., AR D.O., TT D.O. | 07/2025