Rash - Widespread And Cause Unknown

Symptoms

DEFINITION

• Rash over large areas or 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

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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.

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See More Appropriate Topic (instead of this one) If

• CHICKENPOX
• HAND-FOOT-MOUTH DISEASE
• HIVES (especially if itchy)
• SUNBURN
• Measles vaccine rash (fine pink rash occurring 7-10 days after measles vaccine), see IMMUNIZATION REACTIONS

Should I Call?

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 prescription medication within the last 3 days
• Fever
• Menstruating and using tampons

Call Your Doctor Within 24 Hours (between 9 am and 4 pm) If

• Widespread rash, but none of the symptoms described above (Reason: needs a diagnosis)

Care at Home

HOME CARE ADVICE FOR WIDESPREAD RASHES (Pending Talking with Your Doctor)

1. For Non-Itchy Rashes: No treatment is necessary, except for heat rashes which respond to cool baths.
2. 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).
3. Fever Medicine: For fever above 102°F (39°C), give acetaminophen (e.g. Tylenol) or ibuprofen.
4. Contagiousness:
   • If your child has a fever, 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.
5. Expected Course: Most viral rashes disappear within 48 hours.
6. Call Your Doctor If:
   • Your child becomes worse

And remember, contact your doctor if your child develops any of the "Call Your Doctor" symptoms.

Photo Example

Chickenpox Rash

Chickenpox is an infectious disease caused by the varicella-zoster virus resulting in an itchy blister-like rash, tiredness and fever.

It appears first on the trunk and face, but can spread over the entire body causing between 250 and 500 itchy blisters.

Chickenpox on Abdomen

The Chickenpox rash can occur on all body surfaces.

The rash is no longer contagious when all of the spots are crusted over and no new spots are appearing. This usually takes 7 days from the first appearance
of the rash.

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. 

Source: CDC PHIL

From the CDC's Public Health Image Library (http://phil.cdc.gov/), ID#1268, in the public domain.

Content Provider(s): CDC / Dr. Sellers.

Viral Rash

This is a simple viral rash in a healthy young boy. The rash was caused by the Echovirus.

Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever

 This child's right hand and wrist displays 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 the bacteria Rickettsia rickettsii. The disease is spread by ticks.