Can a runny nose, cough or rash be caused by teething, or is it already an infection?
Applies to age: 4–30 months
In short
A rash on the face is listed among the possible symptoms of teething. If symptoms cause concern, it is worth seeing a doctor, and for significant shortness of breath call 112 (the emergency number in Poland) or 999 (the ambulance number in Poland).
What is normal
All claims: international norm
- A possible symptom of teething: a rash on the face.
Source: NHS – show the original wording (EN)
Summarized and translated by the editors, not an official translation. Verbatim quote from the source, in its original wording:
they have a rash on their face
NHS · open the source · accessed: 2026-10-12 · license [1]
- Teething sometimes happens with no pain or discomfort, or only with mild symptoms that last a few days.
Source: NHS – show the original wording (EN)
Summarized and translated by the editors, not an official translation. Verbatim quote from the source, in its original wording:
Baby teeth sometimes emerge with no pain or discomfort, or only mild symptoms that last a few days.
NHS · open the source · accessed: 2026-10-12 · license [1]
- There is no evidence that teething causes symptoms such as diarrhea.
Source: NHS – show the original wording (EN)
Summarized and translated by the editors, not an official translation. Verbatim quote from the source, in its original wording:
Some people think that teething causes symptoms such as diarrhoea, but there's no evidence to support this.
NHS · open the source · accessed: 2026-10-12 · license [1]
When to worry
All claims: international norm
Worth discussing with a doctor:
- If there are any symptoms that cause concern, it is worth seeing a doctor.
Source: NHS – show the original wording (EN)
Summarized and translated by the editors, not an official translation. Verbatim quote from the source, in its original wording:
Get medical advice if they have any symptoms that are causing you concern.
NHS · open the source · accessed: 2026-10-12 · license [1]
ER / 112 (Poland)
- Call 112 or 999 if life or health is at risk.
Source: NFZ i Akademia NFZ – show the quote
Verbatim quote from the source:
Polish original
Zadzwoń na 112 lub 999, jeśli zagrożone jest życie lub zdrowie.
NFZ i Akademia NFZ · open the source · accessed: 2026-10-12 · license [2]
- Significant shortness of breath is a situation in which an ambulance is called (112 or 999).
Source: Portal Pacjenta – show the quote
Verbatim quote from the source:
Polish original
nasilona duszność
Portal Pacjenta · open the source · accessed: 2026-10-12 · license [3]
See a doctor
- Night and holiday care (NiŚOZ) is medical help outside the working hours of a primary care (POZ) clinic.
Source: NFZ i Akademia NFZ – show the quote
Verbatim quote from the source:
Polish original
Nocna i świąteczna opieka zdrowotna to pomoc lekarska po godzinach pracy przychodni POZ.
NFZ i Akademia NFZ · open the source · accessed: 2026-10-12 · license [2]
international norm “International norm” next to a section heading means its claims come from a non-Polish source, because no Polish source in our registry covers this topic. When this applies to only some of the claims, the foreign ones carry the same label next to their source.
Sources
- NHS (nhs.uk, Anglia)License: Open Government Licence v3.0. Source: NHS (nhs.uk, Anglia). Content summarized and translated by the editors; changed relative to the original. Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. The summary is ours and is not attributed to the NHS.
- NFZ i Akademia NFZLicense: Treści NFZ – wykorzystanie ze wskazaniem źródła, bez obrotu komercyjnego. Source: NFZ i Akademia NFZ. Content summarized and translated by the editors; changed relative to the original.
- Portal Pacjenta (pacjent.gov.pl)License: CC BY 3.0 PL. Source: Portal Pacjenta (pacjent.gov.pl). Content summarized and translated by the editors; changed relative to the original.