Childhood Rashes — Medicaid (QUEST) Accepted

Rashes are one of the most common reasons parents call us, and one of the hardest to sort out by worry alone — most are harmless and pass on their own, a few need to be seen. This page helps you tell the difference and points you to the specific conditions we cover in more depth.

Most childhood rashes are mild

The majority of rashes in keiki come from viruses, mild skin irritation, or common conditions like eczema, and clear up with simple care. A rash that comes with your child otherwise acting well is usually less concerning than one paired with high fever, a very sick-looking child, or trouble breathing.

Common causes we see

Several of the rashes we see most often have their own detailed pages: hand, foot, and mouth disease, eczema and allergies, impetigo and staph skin infections, and the rash that can come with a viral illness. Others include heat rash — common in our warm, humid island climate — diaper rash in babies, and hives, which are usually an allergic reaction.

When a rash needs to be seen

Some patterns deserve prompt attention: a rash with a high or persistent fever, a rash of small purple or blood-red spots that do not fade when you press on them, rapidly spreading redness that is warm and painful, or any rash with swelling of the face or lips or trouble breathing (which can signal a serious allergic reaction and is a 911 situation). When you are unsure, a photo sent during a telehealth visit often lets us tell you quickly whether your child needs to come in.

How we approach it at Ohana Care Clinic

We start from mālama — careful, unhurried attention — and reassurance, because most rashes are far less serious than they look. When care is needed, we match it to the cause rather than treating every rash the same way.

Getting care by telehealth

Most of our care at Ohana Care Clinic happens by secure video across Hawaiʻi. A new primary-care or pediatric patient is seen in person for the first visit at our Hilo clinic; after that, many follow-ups and quick questions work well by video. When your keiki is sick, a video visit can often tell us whether they need to be seen in person, saving you a drive when it isn’t needed.

When to get help now

Call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room if your child is struggling to breathe, turning blue around the lips, unresponsive, severely dehydrated, or you believe this is a life-threatening emergency. When in doubt, call us at (808) 867-8002 or use our symptom checker for after-hours guidance on whether your child needs to be seen.

Medically reviewed by Donna Leonard, MSN, APRN, FNP-C, pediatric nurse practitioner, and George Mackel, MSN, APRN, NP-C, PMHNP-BC, CARN-AP, President & Owner of Ohana Care Clinic.
Date published: July 2, 2026 · Last reviewed: July 2026 · Citations verified: July 2026

This article is general health education from Ohana Care Clinic, reviewed by Donna Leonard, MSN, APRN, FNP-C, and George Mackel, MSN, APRN, NP-C, PMHNP-BC, CARN-AP. It is not a substitute for a personal evaluation by a qualified clinician who knows your child’s situation, and reading it does not create a provider–patient relationship. If you think your child may have a medical condition, reach out to us or another licensed provider. In an emergency, call 911.

References

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2024). Hand, foot, and mouth disease: Causes and how it spreads. https://www.cdc.gov/hand-foot-mouth/causes/index.html

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2024). Clinical guidance for group A streptococcal impetigo. https://www.cdc.gov/group-a-strep/hcp/clinical-guidance/impetigo.html