RASHES, WIDESPREAD AND CAUSE UNKNOWN
DEFINITION
- Rash over most of the body (widespread or generalized)
- Occasionally just on hands, feet and buttocks - but both sides of body
- Red or pink rash
- Small spots, large spots. or solid red skin
Causes
- Main cause: a 2 or 3 day rash occurring with a viral illness. Viral rashes usually have symmetrical pink spots on the trunk.
- Other common causes: 5 rashes that you may be able to recognize are listed below. If you suspect one of them, go to that topic. If not, use this topic.
Return to School
- Most viral rashes are no longer contagious once the fever is gone.
- For minor rashes, your child can return to day care or school after the FEVER is gone.
- For major rashes, your child can return to day care or school after the RASH is gone or your doctor says it’s safe to return with the rash.
Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever
- Child's right hand and wrist displaying the characteristic spotted rash of Rocky Mountain spotted fever.
- Rocky Mountain spotted fever is the most severe and most frequently reported rickettsial illness in the United States. The disease is caused by Rickettsia rickettsii, a species of bacteria that is spread to humans by ixodid (hard) ticks.
 | Measles
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Measles Rash
- This child with measles is showing the typical red blotchy rash on his buttocks and back during the 3rd day of the rash.
- Measles is an acute, highly contagious viral disease. Symptoms include fever, conjunctivitis (red eyes), runny nose, cough, and spots on the inside cheeks.
- A red blotchy rash appears around day 3 of the illness, first on the face, and then becoming generalized.
Penicillin Rash on the Arm This patient had a widespread rash from an allergy to penicillin. The picture shows the arm. |  |
Viral Rash
- This is a simple viral rash in a healthy young boy.
- Caused by an Echovirus.
Scarlet Fever Rash
- The photo shows the typical Scarlet Fever rash on the forearm.
- The scarlet fever rash first appears as tiny red bumps on the chest and abdomen that may spread all over the body. Looking like a sunburn, it feels like a rough piece of sandpaper, and lasts about 2-5 days.
See More Appropriate Topic (instead of this one) If
- CHICKENPOX
- HAND-FOOT-MOUTH DISEASE
- HIVES (especially if itchy)
- INSECT BITE
- SUNBURN
- Measles vaccine rash (fine pink rash occurring 7-10 days after measles vaccine), see IMMUNIZATION REACTIONS.
WHEN TO CALL YOUR DOCTOR
Call 911 now (your child may need an ambulance) if:
- Purple or blood-colored rash with fever.
- Sudden onset of rash (within 2 hours) and also has difficulty with breathing or swallowing.
- Not moving or too weak to stand.
Call your doctor now (night or day) if:
- Your child looks or acts very sick.
- Purple or blood-colored rash WITHOUT fever.
- Bright red skin that peels off in sheets.
- Large blisters on skin
- Bloody crusts on lips
- Taking a medication within the last 3 days.
- Fever
- Menstruating and using tampons
Call your doctor within 24 hours (between 9am and 4pm) if:
- All other widespread rashes, but none of the symptoms described above.
HOME CARE ADVICE(Pending Talking with Your Doctor)
- For Non-Itchy Rashes: No treatment is necessary, except for heat rashes which respond to cool baths.
- For Itchy Rashes:
- Wash the skin once with soap to remove irritants.
- Then give your child cool baths without any soap 4 times per day for 10 minutes whenever the itch is uncomfortable (caution: avoid any chill).
- Follow with calamine lotion or a baking soda solution (1 teaspoon in 4 ounces of water).
- Contagiousness:
- Avoid contact with other children and especially pregnant women until a diagnosis is made.
- Most viral rashes are contagious (especially if a fever is present).
- Your child can return to day care or school after the rash is gone or your doctor says it's safe to return with the rash.
- Expected Course: Most viral rashes disappear within 48 hours.
- Call Your Doctor If:
- Your child becomes worse
And remember, contact your doctor if your child becomes worse or develops any of the "Call Your Doctor" symptoms.
REFERENCES
- Aber C, Connelly E, and Schachner L. Fever and rash in a child: when to worry? Pediatr Ann. 2007;36:30-38.
- American Academy of Pediatrics: Committee on Infectious Diseases. Rocky Mountain spotted fever. In Pickering L, ed. 2006 Red Book. 27th ed. Elk Grove Village, IL: 2006.
- American Academy of Pediatrics: Committee on Infectious Diseases. Meningococcal Infection. In Pickering L, ed. 2006 Red Book. 27th ed. Elk Grove Village, IL: 2006.
- Bialecki C, Feder HM Jr, Grant-Kels JM. The six classic childhood exanthems: A review and update. J Am Acad Dermatol. 1989;21:891-903.
- Byer R, Bachur R. Clinical deterioration among patients with fever and erythroderma. Pediatrics. 2006;118(6):2450-2460.
- Cohen BA. Hot tub folliculitis. Contemp Pediatr. 2002;19(7):40.
- Darmstadt GL. Scarlet fever and its relatives. Contemp Pediatr. 1998;15(2):44-63.
- Dyer JA. Childhood viral exanthems. Pediatr Ann. 2007;36(1):21-29.
- Hall CB. Herpesvirus 6: New light on an old childhood exanthem. Contemp Pediatr. 1996;13(1): 45-57.
- Hartley AH. Pityriasis Rosea. Pediatr Rev. 1999;20:266-270.
- Herbert AA and Goller MM. Papulosquamous disorders in the pediatric patient. Contemp Pediatr. 1996;13(2):69-88.
- Melish ME. Kawasaki syndrome. Pediatr Rev. 1996;17:153-162.
- Milana C, Chandran M. What's new in Kawasaki Disease? Contemp Pediatr. 2006;23(7):40-47.
- Pollack S Staphylococcal scalded skin syndrome. Pediatr Rev. 1996;17:18.
- Slavin KA, Frieden IJ. Hand-foot-mouth disease. Arch Pediatr Adolesc Med. 1998;152: 505-506.
- Weston WL. What is erythema multiforme? Pediatr Ann. 1996; 25:106-109.
Disclaimer: This information is not intended be a substitute for professional medical advice. It is provided for educational purposes only. You assume full responsibility for how you choose to use this information.
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