Baby Blistering Rash (Fluid-Filled Blisters)

Blisters on Baby's Skin - Causes and When to Worry

Blisters on a baby's skin can have many causes ranging from harmless (sucking blisters, friction blisters) to conditions requiring medical attention (burns, infections like hand-foot-and-mouth disease, impetigo, or herpes). A single blister on a newborn's lip or hand from sucking is very common and harmless. Multiple blisters, blisters with fever, blisters that spread rapidly, or blisters in a newborn under 1 month should be evaluated by a doctor.

Hand, Foot, and Mouth Disease in Babies

Hand, foot, and mouth disease (HFMD) is a very common viral illness in babies and toddlers, especially during summer and fall. It causes small blisters or sores in the mouth and a spotted rash on the hands and feet. While it can make your child uncomfortable for a few days, it is not dangerous and resolves on its own within 7-10 days.

My Baby Has Impetigo

Impetigo is a common bacterial skin infection in babies and young children, caused by staph or strep bacteria. It appears as red sores that quickly develop into honey-colored crusts, most often around the nose, mouth, and hands. While it looks unpleasant, impetigo is very treatable with antibiotic ointment or oral antibiotics and clears up within a week or two of starting treatment.

Cold Sores (Herpes Simplex) on Baby

Cold sores are caused by herpes simplex virus (HSV) and can be very dangerous for newborns under 3 months old. In older babies and toddlers, a first cold sore infection may cause painful mouth sores and fever but is usually manageable. Never kiss a baby when you have an active cold sore, and seek immediate medical attention if a newborn is exposed.

My Baby Has an Extra Nipple (Accessory Nipple)

Accessory (supernumerary) nipples are one of the most common minor congenital findings, occurring in about 1 in 18 people. They appear as small, flat, often pigmented bumps along the "milk line" — an embryonic line running from the armpit to the groin on each side. Most people mistake them for moles. Accessory nipples are almost always harmless and require no treatment. In rare cases, they may be associated with kidney abnormalities, so some pediatricians recommend a renal ultrasound if one is found, though this practice varies.

My Baby Was Born with a Raw Spot on Their Scalp (Aplasia Cutis)

Aplasia cutis congenita (ACC) is a condition where a baby is born with a small area of missing skin, most commonly on the scalp. It occurs in about 1 in 10,000 births. The affected area may look like a raw wound, an ulcer, or may have already healed into a thin, shiny scar by the time of birth. Most cases are small, isolated, and heal well with basic wound care — the area eventually forms a hairless scar. Larger defects or those associated with other findings may need more investigation, but isolated small ACC has an excellent prognosis.