Parenting is hard, rewarding, fun, difficult, life-changing, and challenging, and “This Is Us” actress Mandy Moore knows that all too well. She has two young boys with her husband Taylor Goldsmith. Their oldest son, Gus, is 2 years old, and their youngest son, Ozzie, is 9 months old.

Recently, Moore took to her Instagram stories to share an example of a recent stressful situation she found herself in. It all centered around Gus. One day, he was perfectly healthy. The next day, he woke up with a scary and painful looking rash all over his legs and feet. It seemed to appear suddenly overnight. On July 28, 2023, Moore wrote, “This sweet boy woke up with a crazy rash on Saturday am.” 

Like any good parent, Moore and Goldsmith went in search of answers. They wanted to know what was causing the rash and what they could do to help their son find relief. Unfortunately, it took multiple doctors visits before they discovered what was going on. Moore explained, “We went to urgent care. Pediatrician. Dermatologist. Pediatric dermatologist.”

Eventually, they found out what it was. Moore wrote, “Turns out it’s a viral childhood rash that just spontaneously appears called Gianotti-Crosti syndrome.” The bad news is that it can last 6 to 8 weeks and that the only relief Moore can offer her son is via Benadryl and steroid cream.

The good news is that Gus seems in good spirits despite that rash. Moore explained that even with the rash and all of the doctors appointments, Gus “smiles and laughs and carries on his day like the rockstar he is.”

Watch the video below for more details about Moore’s Instagram story and her thoughts on the highs and lows of parenting two young boys.

According to WebMD, Gianotti-Crosti syndrome often occurs when a child is recovering from another illness or after receiving vaccines. It results in a blister-like rash that can be present on a child’s face, arms legs and/or buttocks. Sometimes the child will also have a mild fever, and the blisters can be itchy. While the rash usually goes away after four weeks, it can last up to 8 weeks. Gianotti-Crosti syndrome is not contagious.

If you have children, have they ever been diagnosed with Gianotti-Crosti syndrome? Have you ever had a difficult time finding answers about what was causing a symptom like a rash?