Teething rash in babies: Symptoms and relief tips

What is baby teething rash and what is it caused by?

"Teething rash isn’t actually due to teething, but rather due to the saliva caused by the drooling from teething," says Dr Philippa Kaye. "Hence it is also called drool rash, or even lick rash. Teething makes your baby drool more, and the constant exposure of the skin to saliva can lead to a rash. It tends to occur around the mouth but can extend to the chin and neck as the baby drools. A baby’s skin is delicate, so this constant wetness leads to irritation, as can friction from playing or rubbing the skin."

What are the common symptoms of teething rash and where does it occur?

When your baby develops a rash it can be quite alarming and many parents worry it's a sign of something more sinister, however as teething rash is usually very localised and accompanies a noticeable amount of extra drooling, it is usually very easy to self-diagnose.

"The rash related to teething around the mouth, chin, neck and cheeks can simply look like dry skin, which may be cracked or chapped in appearance," says Dr Philippa. "Small red raised bumps can develop, on black or brown skin these may not look red but the areas affected may look darker, or greyish/whitish in colour."

How do you treat a teething rash?

No parent wants to see their baby in pain and teething can be a tricky time for everyone to get through, especially if baby also develops a teething rash on top of the other symptoms. However, there are ways to successfully treat baby teething rash at home.

"Prevention is, as always, better than cure, so ensure that you regularly wipe away the excess saliva from your baby’s face," says Dr Philippa. "You can use a muslin or other soft cloth and you can even fasten a neckerchief-style bib to soak up saliva which runs down into the folds of the neck and chin and even the upper chest to try to prevent irritation. And think about changing them more regularly if their clothing becomes wet. You can apply a barrier cream, or even petroleum to help protect the skin.

"If these measures don’t help or the rash keeps spreading, started bleeding or shows signs of being infected please see your doctor."

Teething FAQs

Can teething cause a rash all over the body?

No, as a teething rash is caused by saliva from excess drooling while a tooth is coming through, a teething rash is usually localised to areas where the saliva is in contact with the body such as the chin, cheeks, and neck. If you are worried about any other rashes on the body you can take a look at our guide to rashes here and please see your doctor.

Can I use Sudocrem for drool rash?

Yes you can use barrier creams like Sudocrem to treat teething rash. The cream creates a barrier against saliva and drool so can be an effective preventative measure.

What age does teething rash usually happen?

Teething and the rash that comes with it can happen at any point between the newborn stage and the toddler years. Typically though the most common age is between 4 and 6 months, which coincides with the start of teething for many babies.

How long does teething rash last?

A teething rash can last for a few days up to a few weeks depending on how it is treated and how long the teething and drooling process goes on for your baby.

When should I see a doctor about teething rash?

Consult your doctor if the teething rash becomes severe and starts cracking the skin or is weepy as it may be infected. If your baby has a temperature along with the rash or the rash doesn't go after a week of at-home treatment it is also advisable to seek medical help.

Read more:

• Baby teething: signs, stages and relief tips
• How to soothe your baby when they're teething
• 10 of the best baby teethers