Can infants and young children with exanthema subitum eat hairtail fish?
Sep 04, 2025
Source: Cainiu Health
Dr. Zhou Xiaofeng
Introduction
Under normal circumstances, it is not recommended to feed infants and young children hairtail fish during exanthema subitum (sudden rash). Exanthema subitum is a common acute febrile rash disease in infancy and early childhood. During the illness, infants' gastrointestinal functions are relatively weak, and their bodies are in a sensitive state. Although hairtail fish is rich in nutrients such as protein, it is a type of seafood, and some infants may be allergic to it.
Generally, it is not recommended to feed infants and young children hairtail fish during exanthema subitum. The specific reasons are as follows:
Exanthema subitum is a common acute febrile rash disease in infants and young children. During the illness, the gastrointestinal function of affected infants is relatively weak, and their bodies are in a sensitive state. Although hairtail fish is rich in nutrients such as protein, it is a type of seafood, and some infants may be allergic to it. Consuming hairtail fish during the illness may trigger allergic reactions such as worsening of skin rashes and itching, which can interfere with the assessment and recovery from the illness. Additionally, hairtail fish has a high protein content, and since infants' digestive abilities are reduced during illness, consumption may increase the gastrointestinal burden, potentially leading to discomforts such as bloating and diarrhea, which can affect nutrient absorption and physical recovery.
Therefore, during exanthema subitum in infants and young children, it is recommended to choose light and easily digestible foods such as millet porridge, well-cooked noodles, and steamed egg custard. After the illness has fully recovered, parents may gradually attempt to introduce hairtail fish and other complementary foods to the infant's diet.
