Erythema Toxicum

• More than 50 percent of babies get a rash called erythema toxicum on the second or third day of life.
• The rash is composed of ½ inch to 1 inch red blotches with a small white or yellow lump in the center. They look like insect bites, but are not.
• They can be numerous, keep occurring, be present anywhere on the body surface (except the palms and soles), and look terrible.
• Their cause is unknown, they are harmless, and they resolve by 2 weeks of age.
• No treatment is necessary; ointments or baby oil make it worse.