Does Your Baby Have Itchy Rashes from Roseola?

Question

My baby has developed some red rashes, and they’ve been scratching a lot, feeling itchy. Can roseola cause itching?

Answer

Most cases of roseola do present with itchy rashes. If your child doesn’t feel itchy, there’s no need to worry; the rash will usually resolve naturally within one to two days without leaving any pigmented spots or desquamation. For children who do experience itching, hydrocortisone cream or calamine lotion can be applied topically. Roseola is caused by a viral infection and is characterized by fever (usually high) for three to four days, followed by the rash appearing when the fever subsides or the rash appearing when the fever subsides. In most cases, the rash is not itchy, but some children may experience itching.