How Do I Know If My Child’s Rash Is Serious?

If the rash doesn’t disappear or turn white and has dark purple or red blotches (non-blanching)

, it could be serious. If that’s the case, you should contact your healthcare provider immediately to rule out more serious medical conditions.

How can you tell if a rash is serious?

1. The rash is all over your body. …
2. You have a fever with the rash. …
3. The rash is sudden and spreads rapidly. …
4. The rash begins to blister. …
5. The rash is painful. …
6. The rash is infected.

When should I worry about a rash on my child?

Call Your Doctor. If your child has an unexplained rash, don’t hesitate to call their doctor. It’s better to talk to them about a rash (even if it ends up being nothing serious) than missing symptoms of a serious illness.

What does a viral rash look like on a child?

Viral rashes look spotty. These “spots” are

often red or pink on babies with lighter skin

, and dark red, purple, or brown on babies with darker skin. They tend to spread across larger areas of the body, including the chest or back, and cover both the left and right sides of the body.

What does a virus rash look like?

The characteristics of viral rashes can vary greatly. However, most look like

splotchy red spots

. These spots might come on suddenly or appear gradually over several days. They can also appear in a small section or cover multiple areas.

How do you treat a rash on a child?

1. Wash the skin once with soap to remove any irritants.
2. Steroid Cream. For relief of itching, use 1% hydrocortisone cream (such as Cortaid). Put it on the most itchy areas. …
3. Cool Bath. For flare-ups of itching, give your child a cool bath. …
4. Scratching. Try to keep your child from scratching.

Does Benadryl help with rash?

A nonprescription oral corticosteroid or antihistamine, such as diphenhydramine (Benadryl), may be helpful if your

itching

is severe. Apply cool, wet compresses. Moisten soft washcloths and hold them against the rash to soothe your skin for 15 to 30 minutes. Repeat several times a day.

What diseases have a rash as a symptom?

• Shingles. Shingles manifests as a painful rash with blisters on one side of the face or body. …
• Chickenpox. The hallmark sign of chickenpox is an itchy rash that affects the entire body. …
• HIV. …
• Measles. …
• Syphilis. …
• Roseola. …
• Lyme Disease.

What does sepsis rash look like?

People with sepsis often develop a hemorrhagic rash—a

cluster of tiny blood spots that look like pinpricks in the skin

. If untreated, these gradually get bigger and begin to look like fresh bruises. These bruises then join together to form larger areas of purple skin damage and discoloration.

Can liver problems cause a rash?

People may have a reddish purple rash of tiny dots or larger splotches, caused by bleeding from small blood vessels in the skin. If the liver function has been impaired for a long time, people

may itch all over

, and small yellow bumps of fat can be deposited in the skin or eyelids.

When should I be worried about a viral rash?

The rash typically goes away

once the illness has run its course

. Although the rash itself is not usually a cause for concern, the underlying virus may require medical care. Anytime a new rash develops, and the reason is unknown, it is best to see a doctor.

How long does a child’s viral rash last?

Viral rashes are not allergic reactions. They are the result of an infection. Unlike an allergic reaction, viral rashes usually do not cause itching or pain. Viral rashes

usually go away after a few days, but may last up to 2 weeks

.

What does a food allergy rash look like?

A food allergy rash is

raised, very itchy, and usually red or pink

. It creates red, raised bumps on the skin. These bumps are usually rounded, and often have red flares around them. They are usually called hives, but are sometimes called wheals, urticaria or nettle rash.

What does Leukemia look like on skin?

Leukemia cutis appears

as red or purplish red

, and it occasionally looks dark red or brown. It affects the outer skin layer, the inner skin layer, and the layer of tissue beneath the skin. The rash can involve flushed skin, plaques, and scaly lesions. It most commonly appears on the trunk, arms, and legs.

What do meningitis spots look like?

In babies and adults, a meningitis rash may look like the following:

tiny red, pink, brown, or purple pinprick marks

(petechiae) on the skin. purple bruise-like marks. blotchy-appearing areas of skin.

What does an allergic reaction look like on a child?

sneezing

.

itchy, watery eyes

.

red bumps (hives)

anywhere on the body.